Dance Your Way To Fitness
Have you ever heard the saying, “dance like no one is watching”? Most of us would love the freedom of dancing and not caring what anyone else thinks of our moves. We usually find dancing appealing because we naturally are drawn to movement when we hear music we like.
Dancing is fun and it is also great exercise for our body because when we dance we move our arms, legs and even twist our bodies so you get a full body workout. Dancing is an excellent way to lose weight if you do it on a regular basis. Dance can be free-movement and a free-for-all or it can be structured. Some examples of structured dance includes cardio salsa, which includes Latin dances such as the cha-cha, mambo, samba, and dance steps like the grapevine, lunges and arm raises. Ballroom dancing is another great way to stay fit while dancing.
Some individuals are fearful of getting out onto a dance floor in front of others because of how others may view their dancing style. There are all different types of dancing styles from the crazy, wild, abandoned type to line dancing, polka, ballet and tap, clog dancing, disco dancing and ballroom dancing. You can make up the dance steps as you go or take lessons to learn various dance routines. There are dance beginners and those who dance professionally.
There are many ways to rid yourself of the fear of dancing in front of others if you really wish to do so.
Sometimes it is just a state of mind or being able to block out all others as you enjoy the dance. Others prefer to take lessons in order to build up their confidence level.
You will reap many fitness benefits when you dance on a regular basis. Dancing burns calories just as if you were walking, biking, or swimming. If you dance for a half hour continuously you can burn between 200 and 400 calories.
Dancing is cardiovascular conditioning, which helps to slow your heart rate, lower, and your blood pressure and improve your cholesterol profile.
Dancing can also strengthen your weight bearing bones, which are your tibia, fibula, and your femur bones. Dancing can also help to prevent or to slow down osteoporosis which is a slow loss of bone mass.
Individuals who are recovering from heart or knee surgery are often told that movement is part of their rehabilitation.
Dancing can also provide an outlet for socialization. These opportunities to mingle with other dancers can boost your self-esteem and give you a positive outlook on life. Fitness often goes hand in hand with improved emotional and mental outlook.
As with any exercise program it is important to avoid injury by warming up first before you dance. To warm up you can do a few stretches or complete a few dance steps just to warm up your muscles. After dancing cool down by doing some more stretches.
Stay well hydrated by drinking water before you start dancing, during if you are dancing for longer than a half hour and drink water again after you are finished dancing.
Know your body and listen to it to avoid injury. If you feel fatigued, short of breath or any pain while dancing it is important to stop and rest.
