Just Dancing
You can't deny it, dancing has changed the way people feel about exercise, and themselves! Millions of people every year are enjoying the many benefits that these forms of dance provide. When it comes to health, fitness, and general well being, dancing is possibly the most beneficial recreational pastime known. It is a year-round sport and an active and physical pastime that does not place a premium on strength. Dancers benefit both socially and physically. It's fun and best of all it's always done with someone else!
Couples and individuals continue to learn and improve each day, regardless of age. You can either participate in competitive dancing in regularly staged competitions, or can measure your progress by participating in the Trophy System tests to achieve Bronze, Silver and Gold skill and knowledge.
Dancing does not have to be competitive, it can just be something you do just to meet new friends, have fun, or maybe for exercise. The physical benefits from dancing can be endless, and include:
Cardiovascular: Dancing can raise the heart rate anywhere from 80 to 120 or more beats per minute. That is the equivalent of most strength training or aerobic programs available. Sustained over a 45-minute period you will build not only your heart's strength, but its endurance too.
Muscle Tone: When dancing at an intermediate to advanced level of technique, you use the perfect blend of isometric and isotonic resistance (the two key ingredients to muscle building and toning). The blend and use of the muscles is perfect for building beautiful tone in the muscles without building a lot of muscle mass.
Keep your joints moving: The best way to avoid arthritis, continue to use the joints in a controlled manner. The graceful rise and fall of Waltz demonstrates this perfectly. What could do this more beautifully and gracefully than Ballroom and Latin Dancing?
The Spinal Column: The frame or posture maintained places the spine in a natural and correct position, even more correct than when standing or sitting naturally! Dancing also helps to put all of your organs in alignment, which is now thought by many doctors and chiropractors to fight sickness, disease, fatigue and more.
Self-Esteem: Almost everyone who dances has found a deeper self worth and holds a greater value in themselves.
Confidence: Many dancers have experienced the thrill of dancing in front of people. Overcoming this fear increases confidence in dance, in one's self and in life. Dance can help people approach every challenge in my life with a solid (but realistic) confidence.
Social Ease: Comfort and ease in social situations is one of the primary needs in all individuals. From weekly exposure, and a bit of trial and error, people become much more at ease in a social situation. Through dance, one learns to engage in conversation, proper social etiquette, and can even help people deal with crowds. Asking someone to dance is a big first step for many people. All in all, dancing is the, ultimate source for social education and eventually comfort - not only in social aspects, in day-to-day life also.
Posture, Appearance and Balance: Dancing gives better posture, which improved posture improves balance as well. This in turn will help one to move more gracefully.
Escape From Stress: No matter what you do in life, you've got to take a break sometime! Dancing provides a temporary escape from the cares of the world and its pressures and for a few hours a week gives you freedom and enjoyment, invigorating you for your normal responsibilities.
For many people something may be missing in their life. Dancing offers something wonderful to fill that void and offers so many great benefits.
You will never look at exercise the same way again; dancing is just so much fun. The most important thing is that you can walk in, have fun, have a laugh, meet some new friends, have a great time, and exercise - all at the same. It's so much more than "just dancing".
