Dance your head free

Posted on fitness

Dancing is not your average sport that you only practice alone. The advantage of dancing is that anyone can do it, regardless of age, gender, or size. That is why more and more people are enrolling in studio courses.

It's not just about getting fit (although that's one of the pleasant side effects); dance is also a form of personal expression and creative outlet. One week you can practice your groove in a hip-hop bodyjam session and the next week your soulful hip swing in Kizomba.

But as is often the case, the first step into the studio is the hardest. The following benefits are sure to win you over and throw your doubts to the wind.

Why dance?

1. It melts calories. One night on the dance floor at a wedding reception is enough to know that it increases your heartbeat (and raises your eyebrows: your cheerful cousin's dancing style... sensational!). An aerobic dance class at your gym (such as Zumba) has the same effect on weight loss and fitness gains as riding a bike or jogging.

2. Dancing is balm for the soul. Dancing frees the mind like no other training. It's like a mini vacation away from everyday stress — you have to be alert and completely present in the present tense. Do you get melancholy easily? Enroll in a dance class and get into a good mood.

3. Everyone gets older, but dancing makes you face old age gracefully. Dancing not only trains the body, but also the brain. They learn a choreography by heart, practice it and will find themselves going through the movements in their heads even in the shower or while putting on tea before the performance. Studies show that dancing trains memory and even reduces the risk of developing dementia. A big advantage, so sign up for the next studio course quickly!

4. It's heart-healthy. We don't know about you, but waltz rhythms seem to us to be an excellent way to prevent cardiovascular disease. According to recent studies, people who dance have a lower risk of long-term illnesses and a lower heart disease rate than dancers.

5. It is great for making new contacts. In dance classes, you'll meet lots of nice people with the same interests. A strong social network is linked to a strong immune system. Contact with friends lowers your cortisol (stress hormone) levels — just like dancing! Two benefits at once.

Tips for working up your courage

Going to a studio class for the first time can be a bit nerve-wracking, especially if you're rather shy and introverted and go to an hour alone. We've got a few tips to help you get started...

• Don't get to class too early. The longer you have to wait for the class to start, the more nervous you may become. Try to get there about five minutes before the start — this will give you enough time to find a spot on the floor (or stretch your muscles a bit) and make the other participants smile. They're probably as nervous as you are.

• Talk to others. Are there others who are alone? Introduce yourself to them! There is a good chance that there is at least one person who also hopes to make friends through the course. Just say hello and ask if he/she is taking this dance class for the first time. If you're out of things to talk about, simply look at the trainer and wait until class starts.

• Pay attention to the trainer, not the other participants. The coaches did the choreography, so pay close attention. If that means that you have to learn the choreography slowly, step by step, then do it. In addition, looking in the mirror helps you to fine-tune your movements.

• Believe in yourself. Anyone can dance. It's about feeling positive, moving and having fun. If you'd rather be in the back, that's fine. If you're brand new, this will probably be the most suitable spot anyway — so you can learn from the more experienced participants. Whatever you do — let go, enjoy the moment and be yourself.

Posted on fitness