What Are the Benefits of Dance Lessons?

What Are the Benefits of Dance Lessons?
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Whether you choose ballet, hip hop, salsa, ballroom or belly dancing, you can find health benefits in dance lessons. Many people take dance lessons because they enjoy moving their bodies to the rhythm of music. Others wish to lose weight and acquire muscle tone. Regardless of your reasons for dancing, lessons can help improve your coordination, stamina, muscle tone, rhythm and mood.

Muscle Tone

According to LearnToDance.com, you can burn between 200 and 400 calories in just 30 minutes of dancing. Burning these calories can help you reduce fat and tone muscles. Most dance steps require accurate footwork, which often works your calves, thighs, ham strings and other leg muscles. Some styles, such as break dancing, place more emphasis on working the upper body.

Stamina

Dancing improves the condition of the heart and the lungs, according to the Better Health Channel, an Australian government website. It also increases aerobic fitness, and, as a result, your stamina improves every time you take a dance lesson. If you feel that you have a lot of work to do before your stamina improves, start by going through the motions slowly and gradually increase the speed.

Coordination

People often notice that professional dancers have impeccable coordination. That is because dance provides better coordination, agility, flexibility, balance and spatial awareness. These are important areas of focus that can help you improve your coordination. Coordination not only helps you become a better dancer, but allows you to carry yourself better and aids you in everyday activities.

Rhythm

Rhythm comes naturally to some, while others have to work to feel it. Whichever category you fall into, dancing can help you find or improve your sense of rhythm. To feel the rhythm better, choose a dancing style that you love. One way to do this is to search for a dance that accompanies your favorite music. If you enjoy the music, chances are you will enjoy the dance.

Mood

Many individuals feel better when they dance. Some professional dancers feel that dancing is their life. Amateurs enjoy dancing with friends, socializing and sweating. Whichever you can identify with, dancing provides improved mental functioning, general and psychological well being, self-confidence and self esteem.

References

Article reviewed by Jessica Lyons Last updated on: Dec 7, 2010

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