Why choose dance as your Workout?

Dancing is one of the most ancient forms of movement used in ritual, healing and expression all over the world. Allowing the body to move naturally and with a consciously chosen intensity provides a full body workout without feeling overwhelmed. 

Tapping into a more specialised forms of dance like belly dance for example opens the door to exploring the finer nuances of movement and a sense of wonder and exploration around the bodies abilities to move in patterns not used every day. 

The physical benefits of any dance form performed as an art on stage or for fitness and leisure are increased muscle strength throughout the body improving posture, coordination and fluidity of movements.  

Dancing and dance fitness has a profoundly meditative aspect. The first step in meditation is to stop your mind from wandering and bring your mind into a one pointed focus to the present moment.  

When attending a dance-fitness class not much brain capacity is left to think of anything else but the moves and music. By creating a one-point focus the mind is engaged with only one thing and stresses and worries are easily put on the sidelines for the duration of the class. Getting lost in the music and movements together with like minded people creates a sense of community, lifts the spirit and brings the focus fully into the present moment soaking up all the good vibes. 

Especially after reaching a certain age mental fitness becomes as important as physical fitness. Challenging the brain with puzzles doesn’t have to be a stationary task. Dancing combines the physical and mental challenge. 

Remembering small movement patterns, linking them to a rhythm or replicating different rhythms in the body keeps the neutrons on their toes. Copying different dance moves quickly and staying in sync with the rhythm of the music challenges the brain to form new neural passageways. 

With every class you take this ability to quickly translate the moves improves as well as the sense of balance which is know to massively deteriorate after a certain age.

Martha Graham said: “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.” 

We are all humans but we are all slightly different especially when it comes to dancing. Everyone has their very own characteristic way of moving. In dance fitness we are not looking for perfecting a dance move instead the creative expression is put into fore foreground. The focus is on enjoying the moment. 

The music has a stimulating effect to inspire and motivate us even if we can't catch all the moves perfectly. Working through these moments of imperfection and improvisation is good practice to allow ourselves to let go and not take ourselves too seriously.