Dancing is a popular sport in all cultures. It is an art that combines music, movement and body language to transmit emotions, free the imagination and tell stories, generating a sense of joy and union with other people.
It is considered one of the most complete physical activities, as it involves practically all the muscles in your body. Its wide range of styles makes it perfectly adaptable to all ages, from children to adults, and adjustable to particular physical conditions.
There are gentler genres, such as salsa, tango or pop, as well as more intense genres or those that require more training, such as ballet or flamenco. There are also more and more varieties and new trends, so it is easy to find a style that you like and that motivates you, which is essential in order to maintain your enthusiasm when learning.
In order to choose the right practice, you need to assess what objectives you are seeking to achieve:
- If you want to find a new hobby, it is advisable to opt for styles such as salsa or bachata, which are more dynamic and encourage socialising as they are practised in pairs.
- If you want to get fitter, more energy-intensive styles are ideal, as they allow you to strengthen your muscles and burn calories. Hip-hop or Zumba are good examples.
- If you intend to become a professional dancer in the future, it is important that the style you choose has job opportunities and clear training, as is the case with ballet or contemporary dance.
For all of these styles, the intensity can be adjusted to suit the individual’s experience. In fact, gyms, sports centres and academies offer beginner, intermediate and professional levels. You therefore don’t need a high level of knowledge to get started, but rather you can learn and improve little by little. You can even start at home by watching tutorials and videos, signing up for online training or taking guided classes online.
The ultimate goal is to have fun while taking advantage of all its benefits, of which there are many:
- Improves cardiovascular health.
- Favours weight loss.
- Increases strength and endurance.
- Boosts self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Reduces stress levels and depression.
- Improves flexibility and muscular endurance.
It is therefore a complete and effective sport for keeping fit. It is also a great way to socialise, as it helps to build interpersonal relationships with people who share the same interests, thus increasing social skills.
Furthermore, it boosts creativity and memory by having to innovate with new steps, improvise or repeat dance patterns, the latter being particularly beneficial for older people.
Dancing allows you to start moving your body in new and exciting ways, and ultimately enjoy yourself while taking care of your health.
If you have any doubts, have any physical limitations or are elderly, it is always important to consult a professional to assess your conditions and to recommend the most suitable dance style for you.