Ten benefits of attending dance class

 

  1. It works your WHOLE body

From the tiny muscles in your feet to your chin and cheeks when you smile – dancing doesn’t target one or two parts of your body, it’s a full-body work out – and an epic one at that.

  1. It lengthens as well as strengthens

It’s all very well strengthening your muscles and making them stronger but short bulky muscles are not what most people want or need. By performing exercises and moves that stretch at the same time as toning results in long, lean and healthy muscles.

  1. It’s a brain and mind work out too

This shouldn’t be underestimated. Repeatedly challenging your brain to send movement signals to various parts of your body is really good for you! Linking together steps, improving coordination and rhythm are all elements of dance and have been proven to reduce mental health conditions such as dementia, anxiety, Alzheimer’s and depression.

  1. Nothing beats dance for good posture

And I mean nothing! Through trying and testing many forms of physical exercise, I can honestly say I’ve never seen posture improvement like I have in dance. It’s the first thing you learn and it’s consistent throughout your dance journey. The fact is,
without a strong core and good poise; you simply can’t carry out many of the steps.

  1. It’ll make you stand out from the crowd

This is a hard one to place. It’s that person who walks into a room and you’re drawn to them, they have a presence, a grace and an elegance that’s difficult to describe. This is something dancers achieve but it doesn’t come immediately. It’s wearing that risqué or bold outfit with such a natural confidence that it looks effortless.

  1. It will make you a stronger person

Now I realise this sounds a bit cliché, but… Dance is a physical and emotional journey. From nervously attending your first class (whether aged 3 or 73), to falling in love with it, hating it for being so damn difficult at times, loving it again for the benefits it brings to your life and becoming addicted because that pirouette you thought you’d never be able to do six months ago… you just smashed it! It teaches you to appreciate the ups and deal with and learn from the downs.

  1. It’ll will improve your concentration

“I always feel so alive and focused after your dance class,” was a recent (and common) comment from one of my adult students. It makes sense, most people turn up slightly tired and with a hectic mind after a day of work or being mum. Dance class requires all your attention to be ‘in the now’. You can’t be thinking about what your boss will make of that last email you sent or what you’re going to put in the kids lunch boxes tomorrow while halfway through your Grande Jeté – so you’re forced to be completely present and forget about life for an hour or two. The result? You leave feeling refreshed and revived (and maybe a little sweaty).

  1. You’ll always have a challenge to aim for

The great thing about a dance class is you can start at the absolute beginning and will always have something to aim for – however much you progress – there will always be that more advanced leap or turn to work toward.

  1. You can let go of your emotions

Cheesy but true. Dance is an art form and an expression of emotion. The most mesmerising dancers to watch are those who dance with their heart, their passion, their emotions. Growing up, I never realised that this is how I dealt with life’s challenges but it’s now something I never take for granted. Feeling a little low? Get to class!

  1. It’s good for your soul

Fact. Right back to its native roots, dancing was carried out to make us, people, feel good. Whether it’s to amazing music, the sound of silence, a sociable class or entirely personal experience – it’s quite simply good for your soul.

MBD offer a range of dance classes in Cornwall to suit all abilities. Take a look at our current classes here.

2 thoughts on “Ten benefits of attending dance class

  1. Totally agree with this – dance in all it’s various forms has always been central to me, personally, and I feel out of sorts when I can’t get to a class. You never stop learning new techniques, choreography and styles, and pushing your body to new boundaries; that’s what keeps your brain in good health and your joints supple.
    Medical studies have shown how the mood and health of the elderly, even those with dementia, is improved with music and movement, however gentle these moves may be.
    (I personally have first hand experience of witnessing this in a residential home for the elderly with my father)

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