Five Things I Love About Dancing

Dancing is one of my favorite types of exercise. I don’t know many activities that exercise your body, mind and creative spirit in the same way. Not only that, it is fun!

I love to turn on my favorite music of the day and to draw the blinds and dance like no one is watching (or like everyone is watching).

This is the first in a series where I will share five things I love about some of my favorite activities.

(In No Particular Order)

1. The time just flies because it is fun and feels good.

I love to play some great music and just go for it. Sometimes if I feel like I don’t want to exercise, I make a deal with myself to just dance for 10 minutes and usually those 10 minutes turn into 20, or 30, or more!

2. Dancing helps develop and boost memory!

According to a few studies including one in The New England Journal of Medicine, dancing may boost memory and help prevent you from developing dementia as you get older. I believe this is true of most aerobic exercise, but learning combinations, steps and choreography exercises my memory as well as my body.

3. Dancing helps improve my posture, core strength and balance.

I am a natural “klutz” who has had several embarrassing accidents. Since I started taking dance classes as an adult my balance, coordination, core strength and posture have all improved immensely. This effect is further enhanced if I also include some dance complementary body weight training like yoga, Pilates or barre.

4. Dancing has really expanded my appreciation of music.

Over the years I have dabbled in several types of dance from around the world including Jazz, Samba, Ballet (adult beginner), Belly Dance, Hula, Zumba, and others. Becoming familiar with different genres of music and different rhythms has enhanced my ability to listen to music.

5. Dancing has been great for my social life.

This applies both to partner dances, group dances and solo dances. I have made good friends of a range of ages from dance classes and clubs. Perhaps people are friendly when dancing because of the feel-good endorphins.

I realize dancing isn’t for everyone. We all have our own preferences. In the quest to stay active, it really helps to find activities we personally enjoy. If dancing doesn’t do it for you, what does?