Just thirty minutes of exercise five times a week has been shown to bring health benefits. Sleeping becomes more restive, arthritis and joint aches decrease, and energy levels increase. In addition, bone mass is maintained, protecting us from fractures due to accidental falls. Besides the physical benefits, regular exercise has been shown to aid in the maintenance of mental functioning.
Keeping our hearts healthy is especially important. Cardiovascular exercises, which increases the heart rate, keep our hearts in shape. Regular exercise has also been shown to lower blood pressure, freeing our heart from some of the effort in moving blood through our system.
Yet many of us do not find much joy in regimented work outs. We know that we need regular cardiovascular exercise to stay heart-healthy, but what activities can we find to avoid the tedium of typical exercise programs?
Dancing can be just such an activity. Dancing allows the heart to start pumping and your limbs to move without having to endure the boredom of exercising on a treadmill or at a gym. In addition to keeping your heart healthy, dancing regularly can also help you to maintain balance and coordination. Besides the physical activity, dance lessons and events allow you to get out of the house regularly and make and meet friends in a social setting.
Local organizations, universities, community and, sometimes, churches hold dancing lessons and events that are open to people of all abilities and skill levels. If you have not danced in some time, or even if you have never tried it before, it is never too late to learn. Adding another skill to your list never hurts, and dancing is an ability that definatly come in handy. Dance lessons are typically offered by style (ballroom, folk, Latin, swing, et cetera) and ability level (beginner, intermediate, advanced, competitive). Most dances that you are probably familiar with fall into the category of ballroom dancing.
Ballroom dancing is performed with a partner (do not worry; there are typically a number of single people taking lessons. You wil be able to pair off when you go to the lesson). Everything from the internationally renowned waltz, to the classic American Foxtrot, to the Latin salsa and cha-cha, fall into the category of ballroom dance.
Folk dancing typically refers to square-dancing, contra dancing, or one of several Irish, Scottish, or English styles of dance. Folk dances can sometimes be more social than ballroom dances (since partners typically split up and join with others during the course of the dance). Other popular styles of dance include swing, Latin, traditional and others. Feel free to explore and find the type of dance that you enjoy.
Books and videos on the subject can also be found online if you just need a refresher or would rather get into the basics in the comfort of your own home.
Before kicking off your shoes and heading to the dance floor, it is important to get your body warmed up. Just like any physical activity, preceding it with some good stretching will help you get the most out of your endeavers. Stretching and warming up also aids in preventing injuries and will avoid soreness and stiffness after you have finished.
If you are just beginning to use dance as exercise, ease into it. Pay attention to the signals your body sends to you. If you start to feel stiff or sore, take a few minutes break and stretch a little bit to limber up the muscles. If your joints ache or become inflamed, you may be overdoing it. Avoiding pain or injury will allow you to hit the dance floor more often and for longer periods of time, so know your limits and do not push your body too far.
Always remember, you are the one taking the dance lesson. Move at your own pace. Do not feel pressured to keep up or to take part in every aspect of the lesson. If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe with a particular feature of the lesson, sit out for a minute or two, or practice another part that you have already learned. Nobody expects you to risk your safety over a dance move!
If you are looking for a great way to be heart-smart, stays fit, and meet new people, try dancing. Dance lessons allow us to try something new, exercise, and take part in a social activity all at the same time. Find a style that interests you, pick the appropriate skill level, find a place, and dance!
