Health and WellnessExercises & Fitness Dance

If you enjoy music and moving to music, why not try dancing to get fit? Dance is a fun social activity that provides many benefits to your well being. It is not really considered as a "sport" as such, but regular dancing - whichever type you prefer, brings equal benefits as much as any other exercise. Amongst the many benefits, dance improves posture, enhances your athletic ability, develops and tones muscles, increases flexibility, increases bone density and lifts your mood.

Certain types of dance have cultural significance too. Whether it is jazz, belly dancing, ballroom dancing, flamenco, salsa or samba, there will always be a good excuse to go out and show off your skills with your friends!

Dancing for fitness and fun

• Ballroom: This is a low impact activity that still gets you to burn those calories while concentrating on the fun. Accessible to all ages and fitness levels, ballroom dancing is a fun and varied activity that provides all the benefits of regular exercise. Dances include the foxtrot, waltz and quickstep
• Belly dancing: A sensual traditional Middle-Eastern dance, belly dancing is excellent for all ages and fitness levels. Belly dancing works your legs and the area between breastbone and knees - waist, hips, abdomen and pelvic floor. It is excellent for improving suppleness and flexibility. It is particularly good for women as it works the pelvic bowl, said to help conditions such as period pains, lower backache and slack pelvic muscles
• Flamenco: This Spanish dance of gypsy origin is one of passion and emotion. Focus is on footwork (intricate toe and heel-clicking step for men), and arm and hand movements for women. Flamenco dance develops your upper body posture while working on vigorous foot movements
• Line Dancing: A gentle introduction to dancing, this dance was originally performed by cowboys distributed in lines to country and western music. Ideal for all levels, this dance is a great social activity and has gained popularity all over the world!
• Salsa: A popular Latin dance move, for the bold and energetic! With its fast hip swaying moves, dancing salsa can burn up to 7 calories a minute. Benefits of salsa dancing include weight loss and muscle gain, increasing your physical endurance and range of motion
• Tango: This passionate and fascinating Argentine dance improves posture, fitness and mental well being. It is a low impact aerobic activity and ideal for all ages and no previous dance experience is necessary. The Argentine Tango consists of different step patterns while embracing your partner closely
• Tap: This is a step dance done with shoes that have taps added to them. With origins dating back to the early slave trade in America, this became a rhythmic dance fusion of the African shuffle, Irish jig and step dance. Tap dance gives you a healthy workout without feeling exhausted afterwards. It tones the legs and as a weight bearing exercise it helps prevent osteoporosis