Dance Therapy

My Dance Therapy In my lesson 9 Steps to Overcome Seasonal Depression I described one of the ways out is to stay physically active. I decided to take dance classes. Three weeks has passes and I would like to share with my feelings. Dances proved to work great for me. I’m pretty lazy, so physical exercisers are not for me, but dancing is another thing. It is more about expressing oneself than doing exercisers. It is only three weeks passed, but I already feel my body twisting and my muscles stretching. It is a great feeling.

So, what is dancing?

The act of dancing entails anything from structured step sequences done to a particular kind of music, to free form moving to the beat of the music. Or it can be somewhere in between. The process of finding out what kind of beat you enjoy moving to can be interesting in and of itself. Dancing is great for someone who is trying to get a total mind, body and soul workout. Scientists are constantly discovering how dancing can help with brain functions as a person gets older. in addition, dancing can be a good workout for your joints without causing harm to your bones and joints.

So, why is it good for you to dance? Here are the top 10 reasons:

1) Great way to exercise and stay fit Dance is a great way to stay in shape. If you don't like the gym, dancing can bring fun back into the exercise.

2) Burn calories and lose weight Dancing is all about moving your body and moving your body is a great way to burn calories. How many will you burn depends on how vigorously you dance. In an one-hour session you can burn from 250 to 400 calories. Yes, losing weight can be fun and enjoyable.

3) Improved health Dance can effectively promote good health by improving cardiovascular fitness, strengthening the muscles, increasing circulation, decreasing blood pressure, lowering the risk of coronary heart disease, reducing stress, and many other positive benefits.

4) Greater Coordination Great for improving control over your body, timing and coordination skills. You will learn how to move with grace and poise.

5) Good for bones and joints Dance is a weight-bearing activity, meaning it's great for your bones. Weight-bearing exercises have been proven to increase bone density and help reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

6) Build confidence Dance builds confidence by giving you a sense of success and achievement when you master it. Shy? Crank the volume up on your stereo, cable music channel, or MP-3 player and dance in your own home. Dance through the whole house. Twirl or spin, twist and shout, point to the ceiling, and then to the floor with complete concentration. Enjoy getting healthier and happier with every step you make

7) Great way to meet new people Dancing provides a natural icebreaker and is a great way to meet new people and make new friends.

8) Lifts your mood Any exercise can raise your spirits by raising the endorphins or so called feel good chemicals. This can lighten your mood and reduce the risk of depression.

9) Good for your Mind Dancing will keep your mind active. It will improve circulation to the brain and help stimulate the memory by remembering all the steps. Great mental exercise.

10) Improved overall well-being Dance has an outstanding positive effect on both physical and psychological well-being.

There you have it - 10 reasons why you should dance. There are, of course, many more benefits of dancing, but we have to stop somewhere. What I like about dancing, it works for any age. So, start up and choose the one that works best for you. Good luck