


Movement and rhythm comes naturally to kids, and when you get a child involved in regular dance classes, the benefits only get better.

It’s this “letting loose” that helps improve your mental and emotional health by reducing stress, decreasing the symptoms of anxiety and depression, and boosting your self-esteem. “Movement and dance are extremely expressive, which can allow you to escape and let loose,” Tylicki said. Whether you join a ballroom or belly dancing class, dance with friends, or get shaking with your kids or grandkids, being around other people while dancing is good for your social and emotional health. While you may prefer to bust a move when no one is watching, there’s something incredible about dancing with others. This equalizer is what makes dance so popular with people who typically shy away from other forms of exercise. If you’re able to move, even if it’s only your upper body, you can dance. One of the greatest things about dance is that anyone can participate. This is an excellent form of mental exercise for your mind, regardless of your age. Tylicki points out that the brain power you need to access for dance, specifically, requires you to focus on both the constant changing of movement and recalling moves and patterns. If you’ve ever tried tap dancing, then you know exactly what we mean by dance challenging your brain. Plus, unlike other forms of exercise, dance has the additional benefits of improving balance through rhythm and music.

If you need a reason to get moving, consider this: A lot of research shows how dancing can maintain and even boost your ability to think as you age.īut how does this happen? Well, according to some studies, scientists have found that the areas of the brain that control memory and skills, such as planning and organizing, improve with exercise like dance. They can help you with any modifications, if needed. If you have concerns about the intensity of a class, talk with your doctor and the instructor before starting the class. Many forms of dancing, such as ballroom, are appropriate for people with limited mobility or chronic health issues. This type of movement not only increases strength, it also improves balance. “Movements that we typically do in our daily life, like walking, taking the stairs, and common workouts like treadmills and cycling, occur in the sagittal plane, but dance works your body from all planes, including lateral and rotational, which turns on and conditions all muscles, meaning no muscle is left behind,” he said.
BODY TIK TOK DANCE PROFESSIONAL
Professional dancer Jonathan Tylicki, the director of education for AKT, a boutique fitness concept rooted in dance, says one of the reasons dance is such a great form of physical fitness is because it incorporates movements on all planes of motion and from all directions. Professional ballroom dancer and certified personal trainer Leon Turetsky says that all styles of dance make for great cardio workouts since your heart rate gets challenged from executing the different moves.
