Dancing yourself to a healthier you

Many of us probably secretly dance in the living room when we are all by ourselves. Listening to music with a good beat and rhythm can get a person in the mood. How do I know? I have a tendency to move to music when exercising since I do not know how to dance. Exercise is my version of dancing.

                          

As we are a generation that is into living a healthier lifestyle, there are ways to help promote weight loss other than the typical running, walking, the gym, yoga, and Pilates, etc.

 

A person can also dance himself or herself thin. There are benefits to dancing.

 

Dancing helps to reduce stress, increase energy, improve strength and increase muscle tone and coordination. Dancing can also lower the risk of coronary heart disease, decrease blood pressure, help maintain weight and strengthen leg and hipbones.

 

Dancing also provides heart-healthy benefits of an aerobic exercise. This can be stimulating to the mind and has been found to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia in the elderly.

 

Physical dancing has been found to increase blood flow to the brain, but the social aspect leads to less stress, depression, and loneliness. Dancing requires the memorization of steps, working with a partner, which provides the mental challenges that are crucial for brain health.

 

Dance types and their health benefits

 

Belly dancing improves posture and muscle toning, maintains flexibility, helps in the prevention of lower back problems, tones and firms arms and shoulders, helps with weight loss, helps prepare women for childbirth and reduces stress.

 

Ballroom dancing conditions the body, helps keep the heart in shape, builds and increases stamina, develops the circulatory system, strengthens and tones the body and legs, increases balance and flexibility, helps with weight loss and reduces stress.

 

Salsa dancing builds stamina and endurance, helps with weight loss, relieves stress, helps release toxins through sweating, possibly helps to lower blood pressure and decrease cholesterol levels, and can lead to a reduced heart rate over time.

 

Square dancing loosens and tones muscles, provides cardiovascular conditioning, can lead to a lower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and improve cholesterol. Strengthens bones, and helps develop strong social ties.

 

Aside from the physical benefits, dancing also can brighten a person’s day and is a mood stabilizer for some.

 

Dancing types and calories burned per hour:

 

Swing                         =                      235 Ballroom                    =                      265 Square                       =                      280 Ballet                          =                      300 Belly                           =                      380 Salsa                          =                      420+ Aerobic                      =                      540+

 

Finally, remember this tidbit: dancing the night away can burn more calories per hour than riding a bike or swimming.

 

Dance your way to a healthier you.

 

 

Learn about Various Styles of Dancing

There are many different styles of dancing that a person can take part in. The type of music you enjoy listening to is going to impact the dances that you want to do. Some of the different moves just don’t work well universally as they are specific to a given type of dancing. Learning all of this is easier than you might think so if you have all but given up on dancing then now is the time to educate yourself and to make the most of it.

Think about what you know about dancing and various forms of movement. For example if you enjoy country music then you have plenty to choose from. Depending on the song you may have the two step or the swing to take part in. There is also line dancing which is very fun. You also don’t need a partner for line dancing.

Hip hop dancing to rap music and new wave is one that many people love because they get to express their own since of style within it. They don’t have specific steps that they need to conform to in order to look good out there on the dance floor. Some of these moves people like include grinding or dancing with three people and one is in the middle of the other two.

Forms of dancing can be very sensual as well which is what many people like about it. Salsa dancing falls into that category and it is one that many people really seem to take an interest in. What about head banging? Well, you really can’t call that dancing but in some clubs it is still going on! The point I am trying to make is that there are just so many different dance styles and they do vary in nature from one extreme to the next.

Belly dancing is one trend that seems to be picking up quite a bit of interest. Many women have a desire to slim down their stomachs and to get stronger muscles there. This way they can look great in tops without the bulge and even wear a bikini again. Belly dancing is harder to learn than it looks though and you will have to use muscles that you never even knew existed. Yet it can be a great experience and you will love the way your body shape changes when you do it often.

Due to emerging trends there are too many variations of dance styles to mention. What you are comfortable with is what you should focus on. For example some people love the idea of ballroom dancing but the idea of bumping and grinding on the dance floor isn’t something that they would ever take part in.

Once you have found a dance style that you are interested in learn more about it. You will find hanging out in clubs where that type of music is played is very useful. Spend some time observing others to see what moves they have in place.  You can also decide you want to take dance lessons to teach you particular skills.

Dancing does offer plenty of freedom which is why so many people take part in it. Yu should be respectful though and understand that what you like may not be what others you know have an interest in. You may find that when you learn some of their dance moves though that you like it more than you thought. Be willing to take a chance and to explore new elements of dancing that you may have closed your eyes to before.

I Trust You Dance

There are many things in life we can do to show emotions and let others know how we feel. Some people sing, some people write poetry and prose, some retreat within themselves and hold it all inside. Others dance. Dance has for centuries been a way to express a wide range of emotions. It is an excellent outlet for the emotions that at times our minds simply cannot process. Dancing is a method in which you can work through those emotions and to some degree move on with your life in spite of emotional upheaval.

Believe it or not, many people believe that belly dancing (or Oriental Dance) brings not only emotional healing but also physical healing for some conditions. Dance is well known as a form of exercise but belly dancing is a type of dancing that is body friendly. This means that you do not need to be in the best of physical shape to enter into this sort of dancing. You will not have to worry about stress on your joints due to high impact moves that other forms of dance require. You should also note that the movements in oriental dance these moves are smooth and natural.

Among the health benefits you can experience through Oriental Dance are improved circulation, lower blood pressure, improved joint health, and the burning of calories. Some believe that in addition to the health  benefits mentioned above that Oriental Dance can also help improve whiplash symptoms and back problems. If you are considering belly dancing to address these sorts of symptoms you really should consult with your doctor before doing so and make sure that you have a highly qualified instructor.

When it comes to Oriental Dance, physical healing isn’t the only sort of healing that is often experienced. Many dancers also find themselves letting go of the stress and tension in their lives as well as some quite traumatic issues that have been in their past that may continue haunting them long after. For this reason, Oriental Dance is sometimes recommended for treatments of emotional issues as well as physical ailments.

There are vides such as Healing Dance that will allow you to learn some of the basic moves at home. However, if you have the resources within your community there is really nothing that can replace taking dance lessons with a group of women. You will find that these women come in all shapes and sizes and from all sorts of financial, physical, and spiritual backgrounds. It’s a solidifying experience to join with other women for the sake of physical and/or emotional healing such as an Oriental Dance class will provide.

In addition to the Oriental healing dance there is also the African healing dance. This is a little more high impact in nature and focuses on healing through expressions of joy. This is a very uplifting form of dance and one well worth considering if you would like to focus on feeling happy and energetic and renewing your joy for living but prefer something that offers a little more impact than the Oriental style of Dance for healing.

There are also healing water dances or hydrotherapy that are often used in helping people with specific injuries. These sessions are low impact though there is some degree of resistance offered through the water for great results. You should make certain however that if you are considering this sort of dance you have a qualified instructor and if possible one on one attention.

For many common ailments, there is a good chance that some form of dance exists that could aid you in recovering from your ailment. Additionally, there are often classes offered for groups in your area. If you are considering learning to dance in order to improve your quality of life or just your enjoyment of life in general, I for one hope you dance.

Dance for Enjoyment

We all have things in life we love to do. Some of these things we love more than others. Dancing is something that many of us, as we age, forget to make the time to enjoy. However, dancing is one of those simple pleasures in life that can also remind us to smile, to play, to spin around until we get dizzy, and most importantly to enjoy the simplicity of having fun without the worry of work, family, or finances getting in the way.

It costs very little in most homes to simply turn the radio on, draw the shades and dance. You can dance with your significant other, your lifelong partner, and even your children. You do not have to worry about anyone watching and if they are watching you should take pity that they are spending their time worrying about what you are doing rather than dancing around and enjoying life to its fullest.

Native Americans had the right idea when it comes to dancing. Let the beat be your guide and simply dance. They danced as a means of worship, to express submission to their gods, to exalt their gods, to display their joy, and as an outward expression of grief. They danced for love and they danced for war. Dancing to them was as natural as walking is to many of us and important means of expressing themselves not only as individual people but also as part of a larger and unified group.

If you have never danced for enjoyment, it’s time to check out the various styles of dance and see what appeals to you as a style of dance. There are many types of dance and many different styles of music for those various styles.

Line Dancing

Line dancing is a style of dancing in which dancers line up and dance together by making the same dance steps at the same time. It has swept not only the nation but is quickly making its way around the world as an excellent source of dancing fun. It’s also a great way to socialize and meet new people. While line dancing was primarily limited to country music in the beginning it has quickly made its way into other styles of music as well. Many bars, dance halls, and clubs will offer line dancing lessons on slow business nights in order to encourage extra business. Line dancing can be enjoyed by both men and women.

Square Dancing

This style of dance has a rather long history and has experienced a good degree of evolution over the past couple of decades. While it was once reserved for hoe downs and such square dancing is quickly becoming a hobby for many people across America and a great way to spend an evening and get to know others who share this hobby. This style of dancing is best enjoyed by couples and can be such great fun if you let your hair down a bit while participating.

Belly Dancing

Belly dancing can be enjoyed by men and women though it is most commonly associated with women. Unless you include the appreciation that goes alone with watching rather than participating and in that case the men may actually outnumber the women. Belly dancing is a very exotic and erotic form of dance that is almost always an audience thriller. It may take years to perfect your belly dancing moves and many study this style of dance their entire lives but it is a great physical activity that is a lot of fun.

Dancing for enjoyment is not only the best reason to dance by far, but it is far too often not the reason that people dance. People dance for competition, for exercise, and for many other reasons but not nearly often enough do we make the moves simply for the pleasure of doing so. If I could make one suggestion to everyone reading it is this. Go out and dance for the sheer joy of dancing.

Benefits Of Dance Aerobics

Dance Aerobics is one of the best and fun methods to keep trim and lead a healthy life. Most people that cater to this type of Aerobic Exercise say it is the most fun. It gives you all the muscle toning, keeps your body flexible and trim.

Now you can do Dance Aerobics by joining classes just like Step Aerobics. But what is really fun is when you go out dancing on a Saturday night or some other night. There are many dance clubs you can join. One good example is Square Dancing. People have fun and they make a lot of friends. If you are a home body get you one of many videos on the internet and enjoy Dance Aerobics at home.

There are many types of Dance that fit into Dance Aerobics, Jazz, Funk, Belly dancing and many more. Being Latino I personally like Salsa and Mambo.

We have all heard about a “runner’s high”. Did you know that there is also a “Dancers High” for those really into Aerobic Dancing. If you have ever reached a “Dancers High” you know it is sensational. Some claim it is much more spiritual and and deeper than a “running high”.

One of the problems we face today is obesity. We spend most of our time on the couch watching TV or on a computer. We need to add some activity to our lives to burn all those calories we take in and what could do that without feeling pressure…Dance Aerobics. So if you like to have fun while keeping physically fit get your dancing shoes on often and socialize and meet new people. the exercise you get is good for your health, you will look trimmer and have more self confidence.

Like anything else it is just a matter of making a decision and this should be an easy one. If you do not want to leave the house you can even find programs on TV that offer Dance Aerobics. So put your dance shoes on and get with it.

Dance Fitness Training

You don’t have to be a professional dancer to get all of the great benefits from getting your groove on. Realizing this, many people have migrated to dancing for fitness. From group classes to quality DVDs to simply blasting the radio in the living room, dancing has proven itself a great way to burn calories while having a good time and lots of fun.

Many health clubs have started offering fitness dance classes to their members. Group classes are great for beginners who want to learn the moves and make new friends. One of the most popular of these is Zumba. Zumba combines upbeat Latin music with moves that are easy enough for almost anyone to learn. Plus, the Zumba routine incorporates fast-paced intervals that can help torch calories and fat. When done right, this dance session can burn more than 500 calories in an hour.

Another popular group class for dance fitness is the LesMills Body Jam program. This routine focuses on hip hop music and teaches each choreographed routine for three months. This means participants can master a routine over time without worrying about new steps each week. The classes last about an hour, and include heart-pumping, fast-paced segments as well as slower beats to let you catch your breath. This makes it a great option for dancers of all abilities.

Of course, there are also traditional dance classes that focus on learning actual performance routines. Ballroom dancing has become more and more popular, but jazz, hip hop, and swing dance are also great for burning calories. Just remember, these courses focus more on choreography than on getting in shape. They are still great for your health, but you won’t burn as many calories in an instructional class.

For those people who don’t want to show off their dancing skills in a group, there are countless DVD programs that provide instruction, music, and motivation right in your own home. Just like group classes, there are two big styles of dance videos. First, there are the fitness DVDs that incorporate dance as another way to burn calories. Then, there are dedicated dance DVD’s that teach you a formal routine. Either way, you’re sure to enjoy some fun cardio exercises with these products.

In addition to getting your heart rate up, dancing also improves coordination, balance, and flexibility. This makes it a great, comprehensive and complete workout for people of all ages. You can dance with your family, friends, your kids, or by yourself. Plus, there are many different varieties of dance styles to choose from. From hip hop to belly dancing to even new pole dancing fitness routines, there is sure to be one that will suit your interests and abilities.

The Rise In Popularity of Dance Holidays

Dance holidays are becoming more and more popular these days, regardless of age or gender. Dancing keeps you fit and is a lot of fun. Whether you are a total beginner or have been dancing for many years, there is a dance holiday for you.

A dance holiday is also a great way to meet like-minded people and make new friends. If you love to travel and you love to dance, combining the two could be a wonderful experience.

There are many styles of dancing. You have probably heard of tango, salsa and foxtrot, for example. Tango originated in South America in the nineteenth century and is known as being a passionate, exciting dance. Salsa is a dance based on music with two bars of four beats. You usually take three steps then skip a beat, as you shift your weight to the other foot, keeping in perfect time with the music.

The foxtrot involves a slow-slow-quick-quick step and is easy to learn. If you choose a dance holiday, you will be able to take part in dance courses, tailored to your level of expertise. Technique, style and choreography will be included and the course will be light-hearted and a lot of fun.

There are many exotic destinations catering to dance holidays now, as the trend really takes off. You can choose from European resorts, holidays throughout North and South America, the Caribbean and even cruises. Immersing yourself in a different culture while enjoying that culture through dance is a fantastic experience and everything is organized for you.

You choose how many classes you want to attend, what kind of accommodation and resort you prefer and the rest is arranged for you. Cuba could be a good choice if you fancy combining salsa and merengue classes with mojitos and exploring old Havana. Spain is world famous for salsa and flamenco and a fascinating country to visit. New York is an exciting and vibrant city and a great place to learn ballroom dancing, latin dancing or even try out line dancing, while enjoying the culture and meeting new people.

A salsa holiday in Tenerife will be guaranteed to recharge your batteries. With year round sunny weather and great nightlife, Tenerife is a great spot to indulge in dancing. If you just can’t make up your mind, a mini cruise or full cruise will enable you to visit a variety of interesting destinations whilst practicing your steps both on-board and at the resorts.

If you don’t fancy traditional ballroom or latin dancing, you can try something fun like belly dancing classes, modern jive or even Bollywood. There are also sequence dancing and line dancing holidays. Dance holidays are so popular now that if you can think of a type of dance, there is probably a dance holiday to cover it.

Even if you dance regularly at home, taking dance classes in a new and exotic setting is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Top Tips to Learn Dance at Home

If you want to have the gym effect at home with your preserved tight clothes and sneakers, there is nothing better than learning dance at home! It gets you rid of your boredom of daily mundane chores and also gives you enough cardio exercise! It’s truly great to learn dance at home for all positive things it offers.

Another benefit of dancing is that you tend to bring novelty in your exercise routine. No more repetitive steps and spot jogging! The energy dance gives you by pumping your heart effectively and adding extra beats to your pulse is definitely great.

Dance at home is a great source of entertainment too for you. No more television to soothe your sense or no more boring music that breaks your eardrum. Also due to movement, it is not like riding a treadmill or rowing machine that fixes you at one place while exercising. The whole room is open for your dance and you can truly enjoy your entertaining dance.

There are numerous ways and styles to learn dance at home. Ballroom if you choose, you can learn it leisurely as the movements are more serene. You can also opt for energetic dancing styles like salsa or samba music. You can choose from any type of lessons available to you. If you are little shy, you can go for private lesson just for yourself. If you are a social animal, you can also enroll for open house lessons where there is a group of people with whom you learn your dance.

Some glamorous new attire would be perfect for you to learn dance. It’s obviously better than the old track suits and trainers. Your floating dress and high heeled shoes would be perfect for ballroom dancing style. Never go for Lycra fits even if you are up to belly dancing. Fine silk scarves and huge gold jewelry would also look good instead. Choose the styles that go well with particular dancing.

Trial and error is the best way to choose your best suited attire for dance. You can also sport dresses of your friends to try and know exactly if they suit you. Never go for heavily priced dress unless you are sure it suits you well while dancing. However, always opt for the one that is comfortable for you and makes you just yourself while dancing!

To start learning dance at home, you can opt for various DVDs demonstrating dance steps of varied dance styles. It is a good way to start learning. If you possibly get hold of a friend or family member who is equally interested in learning dance with you, it’s truly invigorating. If not, try to dance alone and still you should get what you want! It’s worth a try!

The Health Benefits Of Dancing

Dancing is great aerobic workout that is not only fun, but also provides a great number of astounding health benefits. Dancing is an aerobic exercise consisting of different unique steps, that are choreographed to music. Depending upon the type of dancing, whether it is the waltz or the samba, the charleston or the merengue, will determine the type of steps taken to correctly complete the dance.

Throughout history, dancing has been a way for people to interact without words to satisfy their recreational and social needs. Dancing is very much like a mating dance. Most dances are about the seduction that takes place between lovers. However, dancing is now not only an important social activity but also a competitive sport, and with the popularity of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” competitive dancing has reached all new heights.

While dancing is great fun, there are many health benefits derived from dancing, including improvement in your overall health, a reduction in stress, enhanced energy, easier digestion, weight loss, conditioning of the heart as well as lungs, improved cardiopulmonary functions and enhanced muscle tone and bone density.

It has also been revealed that dancing can reduce the chances for developing such ailments as Alzheimer’s disease as well as other types of dementia that are commonly found in elderly people.

Studies even reveal that dancing regularly reduces the risk of developing disorders such as carcinoma of the large intestine, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart-related ailments. Besides these health benefits, dancing allows you to remain slim and young. It is also a great way to get rid of worries as a result of a hectic work schedule and other personal tensions.

There are many different dance forms that offer terrific benefits to your health. However, each dance form possesses different characteristics. Benefits derived from each of these dance forms are also different, and mostly depend upon the duration of the dance, apart from your level of skill.

For instance, belly dancing is an important dance form that finds a prominent position during celebrations and festivals. The benefits of this dance form are the prevention of lower back problems, stress reduction, and enhanced posture. Not to mention an amazing stomach. Many women belly dance to improve the firmness of their stomach.

Likewise, ballroom dancing, sometimes known as social dancing, renders such advantages as body conditioning, increased stamina, improvement to the circulatory system, and enhanced flexibility. Not to mention that you get to wear those beautiful gowns. Ballroom dancing is considered to be the most elegant form of dance. It requires procision and grace, as well as perfect timing.

Salsa, or the “forbidden dance” which offers benefits including endurance building, weight loss, the release of toxins through sweating, enhanced cholesterol levels, maintenance of high blood pressure, and a reduced heart rate. Salsa, with it’s closer than close dance steps is the basis for “dirty dancing” and we all know how sexual that is.

Swing Dancing, popular in the 20s, 30s and 40s as a response to big band swing music, combines triple steps and steps with syncopated music inspired by the African American and West African cultures music and dance. It is a high paced dance form with lots of energy, and its popularity has not dwindled over the years. Swing dancing is probably one of the most popular forms of dance.

There is also square dancing, a very popular form of dance in the South, conditions the cardiovascular system, enhances cholesterol levels, strengthens the bones, and conditions the muscles.

Other important dance forms that offer different health benefits are jazz dance that combine diverse steps; Flamenco dancing, an essential part of Spanish culture; tap, an important rhythmic as well as recreational dance form; modern dance of distinctive styles; folk dance, an important segment of most festivals and celebrations; Chinese dance consisting of classical as well as ethnic steps; ballet, which builds incredible stamina and balance.

Above all, dancing is considered a great way to burn calories. However, the amount of calories depends upon the type of dance. For example, swing dancing burns almost 235 calories per hour. Likewise, ballroom dancing burns nearly 265. In the case of square dancing, it burns about 280. Dance forms such as belly and salsa burn 400 plus calories per hour.

Apart from these health benefits, dancing is also considered an excellent way to add that extra cheer to your life, thereby making each day more fulfilling.

Life is full of emotions, and an exercise plan coupled with rhythmic movements such as dance is a great way to lift your emotions, bringing more joy and fulfillment to your life. Dance might just be the perfect aerobic exercise that can help you move according to your life’s changing emotions and rhythms.

Nowadays, a number of options are available to practice different types of dance. One can lean how to dance by taking a class locally at their gym or at a dance studio or perhaps on their own by purchasing a DVD on a particular style of dance. However you choose to approach the subject I strongly encourage you to get out there and dance.

Guide to Egyptian styles of dance

The Egyptian style of dance places a stronger emphasis on the finer movements of the human body and is far more conservative than Turkish dances, although they have a similarity to the Lebanese dance styles. The basic dance vocabulary of all belly dance styles is very similar, with for example hip figures of eight, shimmies and the like. However, in Egyptian style there is no floor work (which is frowned upon in Egypt), the emphasis is more on hip movements with accents on the down rather then the up part of the movement and also overall Turkish style is a lot more ‘acrobatic’ then Egyptian.

The fact that Egyptian style is more conservative than Turkish or Lebanese styles is also reflected on the costumes. Although some Egyptian belly dancers wear the two piece cabaret bra and skirt costume, they usually have to wear at least a sort of stocking type of fabric to cover their bellies, for decency reasons. Also, in Egypt whole dresses that cover the torso are common, especially in folkloric styles.

Farmers from Upper Egypt perform a dance known as the ‘Saidi’, which is one of the few Egyptian dances that involve the use of the ‘sagat’ or finger cymbals that are held by the dancers. The dancers use either one or two bamboo sticks, and the dance is of two types, namely the Raks Assaya and Tahtib. Another popular Egyptian style of dance is the Shamadan (candelabra dance), commonly referred to as the ‘candle dance.’ This Egyptian style of dance is seen at weddings and derives its name from the candelabra that the dancers are worn on the head. The Hagallah, another wedding dance, is acted out by the Bedouin from Western Egypt.

The Raqs Sharqi (Oriental dance) is an Egyptian dance which has its roots in a folk style of dance (‘Baladi’) that originates from the Arab Tribes settled in Northern Egypt. In the early 20th century, this style of dance was performed in cabarets, in a formal setting for the first time and, although it maintained some elements of its origin, the dancers were influenced by western dances, such as ballet. Hence, Egyptian raqs sharki developed as a new style within the Egyptian tradition. The three styles of Egyptian dance traditionally linked to the belly dance include the Baladi/Beledi, Sha’abi and the Sharqi. Other dances include performances by the Ghawazee who are professional dancers from Egypt, the Melaya Leff which is a character dance using a shawl, and the Zar, a dance of Sudanese origin, that is performed by Egyptians to drive away evil spirits.

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