Does Dance Help Health & Fitness?

Dance provides many benefits to health and fitness that range from increased energy to disease prevention and control. Aerobic dancing is a popular form of exercise that incorporates salsa, line, ballet and hip-hop dance moves. Dance/movement therapy has been utilized in conjunction with conventional medical therapy since 1942 when psychiatrists at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington, D.C., invited dancer and dance therapist Marian Chace to work with patients.

Health and Fitness Defined

Health is a state of physical, mental, and social wellness complemented by a lack of disease or other abnormal conditions. Homeostasis, or steady state of health, results from constant changes and adaptations to stress. Fitness, on the other hand, enables us to perform to the best of our ability. It helps us feel, look and do our best. Fitness is dependent upon many factors including age, heredity, sex and eating habits. Cardiorespiratory and muscle endurance, flexibility, muscle strength, and body composition are all part of fitness.

Benefits of Dance

Dancing is a weight-bearing exercise, which helps maintain bone health and prevent osteoporosis. Aerobic dancing also strengthens the heart and lungs, lowers cholesterol, boosts cardiopulmonary efficiency, enhances circulation, and eases stress. In a study published in the July-August 2005 issue of "Cancer Nursing," researchers at cancer centers in Connecticut found that those breast cancer survivors who took a 12-week dance therapy and exercise class showed improvement in quality of life. Positive effects included improved range of motion and self-esteem, and pain reduction, compared to study participants who did not take the class.

Dance/Movement Therapy

Dance/movement therapy is a counseling method that uses movement to deal with various client issues and problems such as emotional and social needs, and medical and psychological impairments. It keys in on the mind-body connection to encourage healing. Following client assessment, the therapist designs a program to address the individual's condition. Clients learn how to form a nonverbal language that helps them understand their condition and its effects. Anyone can participate in dance therapy, in groups or individually. It's done in many facilities including schools, nursing homes, health care centers and private practice.

Considerations

Take a class from a certified instructor. Individuals with cancer, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes or other chronic health problems should consult a physician prior to starting therapy. Use proper shoes that provide support and stability for a variety of movements, including side-to-side, twists and turns. And listen to your body -- exercise, have fun, but don't overdo it. Combine exercise with healthy eating and sleeping habits for maximum health and fitness benefits.