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Interesting Dance Info
The Physical, Mental and Emotional Benefits of Ballroom Dancing
Thoughts from Andy Calori
There's no doubt about it, Ballroom and Latin dancing is changing the way people feel about exercise AND themselves. For those skeptics who doubt the power of the mind in health and medicine, the physical proof is shown first (see below).
Millions of people every year are enjoying the many benefits that ballroom and other forms of dance provide. From physical, mental and social standpoints, our favorite recreation is one of the best overall forms of low impact/high aerobic workouts available. It's fun, it can be free, and best of all, it’s always done with someone else!
Below are just a few of the many benefits that dancing offers.
The Physical Benefits
Cardiovascular: Ballroom and Latin dancing can raise the heart rate anywhere from 80 to 120 beats per minute (even more for some of us). That is the equivalent of any strength training or aerobic program. Sustained in 2-minute bursts over a 45-minute period, you will build not only your heart's strength, but its endurance too.
Muscle Tone: Ballroom and Latin dancing, when danced at an intermediate to advanced level of technique, uses the perfect blend of isometric and isotonic resistance (the two key ingredients to muscle building and toning). The blend and use of the muscles is perfect for building beautiful muscles tone without building a lot of muscle mass.
Joints: According to the American Journal of Medicine, the best way to avoid arthritis, early arthritis and to remedy current joint discomfort is to continue to use the joints in a controlled manner. The beautiful rise and fall of the waltz demonstrates this beautifully. What could do this more perfectly and gracefully than Ballroom and Latin dancing?
The Spinal Column: The frame or posture maintained when dancing puts the spine in the natural and correct position, even more correct than when standing or sitting naturally! An added plus is that this posture also puts your organs in alignment, which is now thought by many doctors and chiropractors to fight sickness, disease, fatigue and more.
Respiratory: Many track greats know that a strong set of lungs get plenty of oxygen, which makes the heart work easier (which, in turn, allows you to be active and have fun longer). That's why sprinters run a lot of "wind" bursts. Brief bursts to up the heart rate quickly, then bringing it down and doing this repeatedly, is good for you. This is similar to what occurs when you’re dancing at a party, club or ballroom.
Facial Lines: Most ballroom and Latin dancers are so busy smiling all the time that they won't get those nasty worry lines.
Mental and Emotional Benefits
Hug Theory: The dance position used in Ballroom and Latin Dancing is very similar to a hug. It is believed that this is part of the attraction of dancing, i.e., you get the security and comfort of a hug without the need for intimacy. Hugs are truly therapeutic.
Self-Esteem: Andy says that almost everyone he knows who does Ballroom and Latin dancing found a deeper self-worth and holds a greater value of self.
Confidence: Many ballroom dancers have experienced the thrill of dancing in front of people. Overcoming this fear increases confidence not only in the area of dance, but in one's self and in life. It’s fun to hear many dancers talk about the boost in their confidence after they started dancing—they approached other life challenges with a solid (but realistic) confidence.
Social Ease: There is documentation to support the theory that "comfort and ease in social situations" is one of the four primary needs in all individuals. Almost every philosophy, psychology and self-help book has the list. From weekly exposure and a bit of trial and error when dancing, people become much more at ease in a social situation. They learn to engage in conversation, apply proper social etiquette (one of the biggest social "phobias"), and to ask even a stranger to dance. Dancing can even help you deal with crowds. All in all, dancing is the ultimate source for social edification and eventually comfort.
Posture, Appearance and Balance: These three have been grouped together since they build upon each other. Ballroom and Latin dancing gives better posture, which in turn results in a more attractive (and youthful) appearance. Improved posture improves balance which, in turn, will help one to move more gracefully, which is explained in the next benefit.
Grace and Poise: Through improved balance and self-esteem, one tends to stand and move in a much more polished and pleasant manner. Clumsiness is overcome, which also increases confidence and social ease.
Psychological Escape: No matter what you do in life, you've got to take a break sometime! Dancing provides a temporary escape from the cares of the world and the pressures. For a few hours a week it gives freedom, enjoyment and invigoration for you to pursue your other responsibilities.
Emotional Lifeline: For many people, there is an emptiness, a loneliness, or something missing in life. Ballroom and Latin dancing offers something wonderful to fill that void.
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