The Benefits of Dance: Why Every Family Should Be Getting Their Groove On
From the beloved chicken dance to the infamous cha-cha slide, you’re never too young or too old to start dancing. Dancing can be a great source of joy, exercise, and artistic expression. In addition to these benefits, dance comes in so many forms! Here are our top reasons why dance should be the next activity your whole family takes part in.
Dance is a sport everyone can enjoy
With the rise of smart phones and other technological gadgets, sedentary lifestyles are more common than ever before. Research shows that this way of life is contributing to the rise in obesity rates, and that playing sports is one of the best ways to stay in shape. Dancing is an aerobic form of exercise that is known to improve muscle tone, correct poor posture, increase balance and coordination and improve overall cardiovascular health. Just like any sport, dance can consist of teams and be competitive, recreational, or it can be an individual endeavor. Types of dance can range from the hokey pokey to the modern jive, and, as an added plus, dance is considered both a sport and an art form. So for those of you who may not consider yourselves to be “sporty”, dance will give you a chance to let out your creative side while also reaping the benefits of physical activity.
You’ll Get to Meet New People
Dancing can provide you with the opportunity to meet and interact with a diverse range of people in a safe and fun environment. When you regularly attend dance lessons, you will discover that the relationships that you develop in your dance classes can transform into meaningful and timeless friendships. Whether you are interested in ballet, hip-hop, or salsa you will be sure to expand your social circle and create amazing memories when you sign up for a dance class.
Dance Will Help Build Your Self-Confidence
Beginner dancers may suffer from stage fright initially. This fear is completely understandable. The thing to remember when it comes to dance is that regardless of whether you’re tap dancing, swing dancing, etc. you get out of dance lessons what you put into them. With time, encouragement, a sense of humor, and persistent practice, you may find that dancing has worked wonders for your self-confidence. As you focus on dancing and mastering new dance steps, you’ll develop the courage to perform on stage or maybe even to show off your moves at the next family get together. But more than just learning dance moves, you’ll learn to be in tune with your body. Not to mention you’ll be in great shape!
Dance Can Relieve Stress
Stress can contribute to a lot of mental and physical health issues. Whatever you may best struggling with, you may find that cranking up the volume on your iPod and getting your groove on daily will definitely lift your spirits! I know this to be true from personal experience. From bouncing around in my PJ’s to “Hakuna Matata” with my best friend to doing the electric slide with my family, dance has helped me deal with the stress of finals, cope with the pain that my mother’s death brought. It’s allowed me to embrace my inner child. It has brought me closer to my friends and family. Sure, life may have so many twists and turns, but as Robert Brault would say, “Taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster, it’s a cha-cha.”
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