topic 6: The benefits of learning how to dance

• Some studies report that regular dancing?

  is actually a time-honored way to stay healthier, well into old age.
• Modern research also shows time and time again that dancing?

  may significantly reduce the risk of disability and dementia in the older dancer.
• And while many types of physical exercise can keep people healthier longer, many studies show that dance has particular benefits that other activities don’t provide, especially?

  mental acuity and increased memory
• How does dance improve our health?

  Yes, dance provides an excellent, low-impact aerobic workout. And yes, it also strengthens the heart, lungs, and circulatory system. Dance provides an added benefit of constantly varied movements, which is one of the best ways to build core strength, increase coordination, improve balance, expand flexibility, tone muscle, and develop exceptional spatial awareness. As an added bonus, because dance uses so many parts of the body, most types of dance can be modified to work around different types of physical limitations.
• How does dance improve cardiovasular health?

  Most types of dance provide an excellent, low-impact cardio workout. While many types of exercise can get your heart racing, dancing can help you reach your target heart rate without feeling like exercise. Just a few hours of dancing every week will help most children and adults to improve heart health. However, if you suspect a heart issue, or have a history of heart problems, check with your physician before starting any new types of exercise.
• How does dancing affect strength and endurance?

  Dancing increases strength and endurance by requiring muscles to resist body weight.
• What types of movements in dance contribute to muscle building?

  Steps, leaps, twists, and turns contribute to muscle building through resistance.
• What physical changes can be expected from regular dancing over time?

  Regular dancing can lead to the development of lean muscle and increased strength in arms, legs, and core.
• How does dancing affect physical endurance?

  Dancing helps build physical endurance, making it easier to move energetically for extended periods.
• What is the relationship between muscle strength and the ability to dance longer and more vigorously?

  As muscles become stronger, individuals can dance longer and more vigorously without tiring.
• What are the overall benefits of dancing on physical fitness?

  • Increases strength and endurance
  • Builds lean muscle in arms, legs, and core
  • Enhances physical endurance for energetic movement
  • Allows for longer and more vigorous dancing
  • Improves overall strength and energy levels
• Are all types of dance effective for building stamina?

  Yes, all types of dance are effective methods for building stamina.
• What changes might a dancer notice as they continue to practice dancing?

  A dancer may notice they are stronger, more toned, and more energetic as they continue to dance.
• Dance Improves bone health

  Dance is a great way to increase bone mass and may be especially beneficial for dancers at risk for current or future low bone density. When you dance, your bones and muscles work to resist your body weight. All the twists, turns, and side to side movements are effective in increasing the bone strength of the leg bones that bear the majority of your body’s weight, including the tibia, fibula, and femur. 
• Dance helps with weight management

  dance is an excellent way to exercise because it provides a whole body workout without the kind repetition or monotony found on a treadmill or a gym bike. Dance also offers the kind of calorie burn needed for steady weight loss. And finally, because dance also builds lean muscle as it burns calories, it’s also a great way to tone up and stave off extra pounds in the future.

   
• Dance increasses energy levels


  Dance is an exercise that can stimulate the production of good hormones like serotonin. It can also lower the level of the hormones that make you feel cranky or even depressed, like cortisol. Dance also requires concentration and memorization, which means it requires you to shift your mind away from day to day issues and immerse your mind in dance. 
• Dance improves flexibility


  The stretches in warm-ups are also designed to increase flexibility during dance and reduce stiffness after practice. Every type of dance class helps students achieve a better range of motion for all the major muscle groups. As each dancer’s range of motion increases, more muscles can flex and extend. That means that dancers naturally become more flexible by simply dancing.
• Why is dance appropriate for all ages?

  dancing is an activity that works for all ages.
• Dance delivers a gentle workout


  dance is designed to engage the mind and body at almost equal levels. While you are moving your body, you’re also concentrating on technique, movement, and variation. You’re not trying to lose more weight or run faster. Instead, you continue to master movement and expand your skill sets.dance requires you to vary periods of movement with periods of holding still, it’s less likely to exhaust beginners. Unlike more traditional cardio workouts, you don’t have to sweat profusely to get a good workout.
• Dance increase agility and grace


  After all, a graceful person is said to “move like a dancer” or be as “graceful as a ballerina.” Most dance classes begin with a series of stretching exercises designed to warm up your muscles, increase flexibility over time, and allow you to dance without injury. These same exercises will increase your ability to move and react more effectively.
• Dance imrpoves balance and spatial awareness

  You’ll also become more aware of your center of gravity. Your posture will improve, and you’ll become more physically confident and more graceful. it’s less likely that you’ll knock into other people, trip over small bumps, or even bump into corners. Over time, with regular dance lessons, you’ll become less likely to stumble, trip, or even fall.