Dancing and Wellness: Groove to Improve
A catchy beat is an irresistible invitation to move, groove and feel good. But there’s another reason to get up and shake a leg. Every dancer of every skill level is twirling, hopping, stomping and smiling their way to better health.
“Posture, breathing and rhythm can all impact your brain, therefore increasing energy levels and the ability to focus, while reducing fatigue and depression,” explains certified classical and modern ballet teacher Sarah Hardy.
Hardy has worked in multiple countries across age groups and skill levels for more than two decades. She understands the connection between dancing and whole-body health. In addition to teaching a strength training program created for dancers, she is enrolled in a bioMechanics corrective exercise specialist course.
The Dancing Way
In dance, posture, stability and mobility allow movement to flow. Not coincidentally, they are also the three aspects of well-being Hardy feels everyone should prioritize in their fitness journey.
“To achieve these three elements, one needs a combination of strength, stabilization and mobility work,” she says.
The benefits of improved posture, coordination, stability and mobility go beyond the dance floor. Better balance prevents falls, while increased strength and body awareness can help a person be more effective at everything from carrying groceries to enjoying other fitness activities.
Sweat and Commitment
Dance is a true full-body workout and accomplished dancers dedicate years of intense study to their craft. In ballet, simply standing in a basic “turnout” position of external rotation activates six different muscles, and that’s before adding any arm positions or movement. Some might counter that lifting weights also targets muscles, but Hardy points out that a weight-based workout isolates movement and engages a limited range of motion.
“Dance requires the same, actually more, muscles, but with a more diverse movement of range and pattern,” Hardy says. “A combination of both training styles is wonderful, in my opinion.”
Dancing is for Every Body
For anyone who is considering adding dance to their fitness journey, Hardy has three words of advice.
“Go for it!” she exclaims.
A person can take classes in-person, online, at the gym, or even watch tutorials on social media. There are classes tailored to all levels across many styles of dance — hip hop, ballet, salsa, jazz, and more. Then there are fusion classes like Zumba and Jazzercise that combine conventional exercise with dance moves.
“Find a teacher you connect with,” Hardy advises. “Have fun with it!”