One of the best ways to stay active is to find new ways to engage your mind and body. Dance classes are excellent for mentally and physically stimulating your body. There are many types of dances you can learn which keeps the act of dancing new and invigorating. This blog post looks at reasons why you should consider taking dance classes!
1. Keeps Your Memory Sharp
Dancing has an excellent effect on the brain that helps us retain our sharpness. Aerobic exercises are linked with reversing volume loss in the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain responsible for memory.
A severe shrinking of the hippocampus is linked to memory impairments and dementia. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, dancing can boost your memory and minimize your risk of dementia as you get older. Finding unique and fun ways to keep your brain healthy is essential to age gracefully.
2. Dance Is A Fun Way To Improve Your Balance And Coordination
For the 65 and older crowd, falls are a real hazard that can have severe effects. It’s estimated that 25% of adults over 65 have at least one fall a year. Not only does dance class help improve your physical balance, but you also learn techniques to help you fall safely.
In dance class, you’ll learn how to increase your body awareness and how to execute low impact landings. These techniques are excellent for athletes, children developing motor skills and older adults looking to improve their balance.
As you age, lower body weakness, difficulties with walking and foot pain become common factors that cause you to fall. Falling sideways causes almost 95% of hip fractures. Learning techniques on how to fall and improving your overall strength will help you avoid any serious falls.
3. Excellent Way To Keep Your Heart Healthy
Dancing is excellent cardiovascular exercise. After a few weeks of dance class, you’ll notice improvements in your health, breathing and energy levels. Dancing gets you using different muscle groups, which will improve your coordination and rhythm.
Dance is a unique form of cardio since you get a full body workout. Every dance move requires you to stay balanced from your core while using your arms, legs, and glutes to complete the sequence.
4. Fun Way To Fight Against Depression
Aerobic exercises are well known for elevating dopamine and other endorphins that keep us happy. Regular dance class helps fight your body’s resistance to providing these happy chemicals since you’ll be dancing at a set time every week.
It’s much easier to head to your dance classes instead of agonizing about your workout routine, which machines to use or how to program the treadmill. The more involved you are with your dance class, the more of an effect it has on your brain producing dopamine and other endorphins. When you first start out, you’ll struggle, but as you get better, you’ll feel a sense of pride and accomplishment that helps your brain fight depression.
5. Things About Dance To Remember:
Don’t forget to warm up before you start. Warming up significantly lowers your chance of injury.
- Worry about proper form. Once your form is correct, you’ll be able to move faster.
- Don’t feel obligated to stick with one type of dance, switch it up and have fun!
- Don’t push yourself too hard/fast when first starting out.
- Stretch even on days you’re not dancing. Your body will thank you.
- Look up not down while you dance.
- Get a good pair of dancing shoes to protect your feet.
- Staying hydrated is another way to lower your chance of injury.
- Dress in layers and peel off once you start to warm up.
