As a world, we are more aware than ever of the importance of physical fitness to our overall health. While we remain aware of the need for physical activity, far too many of us find too few reasons to incorporate physical activity into our daily lives and routines. There are many reasons why we procrastinate on this particular endeavor. For some time it is the determining factor, while others readily admit that they do not value at all the activities that come to mind when they think of exercise.
Whatever your reason for not including exercise and physical activity in your daily routine, have you considered dancing for your health? There are several wonderful reasons to dance, although I can think of very few that are better than dancing for your health and physical well-being. The good news when it comes to dancing is that most of the time it doesn't feel like you're working out, and burning calories doesn't burn nearly as much when you're having fun while burning them.
Dance has evolved a lot and the history of dance is long and noble. Even, one might add, quite a manly history for those men who haven't considered dancing in the past.
Benefits of dancing:
Besides burning calories, which is a good thing for dieters, dancing also helps strengthen muscles and bones. It can provide a low or high-impact workout based on your preferences and the music you choose, it can be fun and feel like fun rather than work - meaning you're more likely to do it than many other exercise programs. and can help strengthen all areas of your body, rather than focusing on one specific area as many exercises do.
Dancing also provides an excellent opportunity to socialize and meet others if you take classes, while also helping you gain a better sense of balance and grace (those like me who have absolutely no sense of grace could benefit greatly from this). Dancing and the physical activity itself can help you ward off potential diseases that are often associated with excess weight and too little physical activity. Even just thirty minutes of dancing 4 days a week can have profound results when it comes to your overall health and well-being.
However, far more important than any of the aforementioned benefits of dancing is that dancing is fun. This means you'll enjoy life a little, laugh a little, and accidentally work a little fitness into your life without feeling like you're suffering for it. So many people have very little physical activity because they don't see physical activity as fun.
If you are wondering what type of dance is right for you, there are many to choose from. Square dancing is great fun for couples, as are ballroom and swing dances. Line dancing, contra square dancing, clogging, and tap dancing can be great fun in larger groups or as a class participant. If you want something a little more for your dancing endeavors, you can always try Salsa, Flamenco, or Belly dancing.
If you live in or near a relatively large community, it is quite likely that you will find classes or teachers for private lessons for each of these forms of dance. You want to make sure everyone you're learning from knows what they're doing. You can also check your local newspaper for dance groups or bars or clubs that offer line dancing classes on a specific night during the week.
Whether you've been dancing all your life or are completely new to dance, it's a great way to incorporate fitness into your life and improve your health without feeling like you're working for it or dreading the thought.
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