Weekend Workout Blog Post Eight: Dancing
Image Source: www.mnn.com
Dancing is a feel-good way to improve your fitness, whatever style you choose. Given the unique combination of physical exercise, social interaction and mental concentration - all set to music - it's no wonder it has been found to help relieve stress, increase energy and improve strength and muscle tone.Dancing can be a way to stay fit for people of all ages, shapes and sizes. It has a wide range of physical and mental benefits:
- increased muscular strength, endurance and motor fitness
- increased aerobic fitness
- improved muscle tone
- weight management
- stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis
- better coordination, agility and flexibility
- improved balance and spatial awareness
- increased physical confidence
- improved mental functioning
- improved general and psychological well being
- greater self-confidence and self-esteem
You can dance in a group, with a partner, or on your own. There are lots of different places where you can enjoy dancing, for example, at dance schools, social venues, community halls and in your own home. Dancing has become such a popular way to be active and keep fit, that most fitness clubs now offer dance-based classes in their group exercise programs, Zumba, Barre and BodyJam.
There are many styles of dance to choose from, each with its own attractions. Because there are so many different types of dance, you should be able to find a style that suits you in terms of intensity (high-or low-impact, fast or slow), difficulty level, type of music you like, and whether you prefer to dance with or without a partner.
You can also search online for a variety of dance classes and events in your area, sponsored by different dance groups or dance schools. In many cities, for example, you can find nightly salsa social dances, tango “milongas,” and swing “meetups.”
If you prefer to dance at home, there are videos and Wii Fit dance games (such as Golds Gym Workout and Just Dance)—or you can just crank up your own music and do your own thing.
So in the words of David Bowie “Let’s dance”.
Here are some great dancing songs that were recommended by women in the Get Active and Keep Well online group.
- Try – Pink
- I Am Woman –Helen Reddy
- Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic – The Police
- Vogue – Madonna
- Super Freak – Rick James
- Uptown Funk (ft. Bruno Mars) – Mark Ronson
- Hey Ya! – Outkast
- Kiss – Prince
- Move On Up – Curtis Mayfield
- Let’s Dance – David Bowie
Does anyone dance regularly? Are you finding it’s helping your health?
May you be Mindful message
Remember to breathe
This week set yourself a trigger, something to remind you to check in with your breath. This could be a sticker on your phone, a bracelet around your wrist, or a toy on your desk.
There are 3 places we focus on the breath entering and leaving the body:
- Nostrils – feel where the air comes in and out
2. The chest rising and falling
3. The lower belly rising and falling.We can also count the length of the breath. If we lose track, we simply go back and start counting again from one. Find out what works best for you and remember there are no rules.
Reference:
Better Health Channel 2016, Dance - health benefits, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/dance-health-benefits, viewed May 2016
Body and Soul 2016, Dance your way to good health, http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/fitness/workouts/dance+your+way+to+good+health,24489, viewed May 2016
Smiling Mind 2016, Just Breathe, http://smilingmind.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/j/A6ECD8D62FAB6AC7/04D2941A597345F8B3138EAD4DECE712, viewed May 2016
Comments
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Girks just wanna have fun...is another fab piece to dance to. I have a wii fit dance workout dusc that has sone bixibg routibextoo which is fab. I love zumba but just need to get my aeribic fitness and arm strength up just a bit more before going back. Not lobg now. They do a zumba pryme at my local gym which is lower intensity.
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Hi Primek,
That's good to hear that there is a low intensity option for Zumba.
Have a great weekend,
Sarah
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