Dance Groups are Key to Good Health

The quality of a person’s social life could have an even greater impact than diet and exercise on their health and well-being. The research in dancing or attending regular ballroom dancing classes and social events shows that membership of social dancing groups have a positive impact on health and well-being.

 

There is growing evidence that being a member of a social ballroom dancing group can significantly reduce the risk of health conditions that are commonly spoken about in the media. This highlights the importance of belonging to a range of social dancing groups, of hanging onto social dance groups and of building new social dance groups in dealing with life changes.

 

There have been studies that show evens one’s increased affluence will have no impact in the pursuit of increased happiness or good health. It has been said that most people in the developed world were no happier than people were in the 1950’s when money was scarce and affluence was hard to obtain. Today a typical twenty five year old is between three to ten times more likely to suffer major psychological problems compared to the 1950’s when they were less affluent. Also comsumerism and the pressure to succeed is creating an epidemic of unhappiness for people who are incapable of realising that certain desirable things in life are unattainable, and the inability to disengage from important but unreachable life goals maybe more common in our modern society. This explains the fundamental disappointment of modern life, the discovery that satisfaction of our desires for comfort, safety and material well-being do not reliably lead to personal well-being.

 

The highest level of happiness comes when people can give a wider meaning to their empty lives. Helping others through groups like social dancing can help people realise that there is something bigger and more important than themselves.

 

Well-being or good health isn’t just the absence of illness, it is very much a positive state. The single most potent and richest source of happiness is our relationships, companionship and love between friends and family. Humans are naturally highly social and crave the comfort of knowing they are valued members of a group that share experiences and emotions. The important thing is depth, the building up of relationships with people you know or the place you know or the job you do. One of easiest ways of securing long term happiness is to take up an activity that involves making friends. Taking group class lessons in ballroom dancing is a great way of creating and securing friendships. In today’s world the fun of partner dancing in groups and the physical exercise combined create one of the most effective stress releases of any recreational activity.

 

Ballroom dancing clubs are the perfect environment to meet new friends and are warm and friendly places. Ballroom dancing provides an ideal social climate in which to meet new groups of people. Learning to ballroom dance is a skill that will stay with you for the rest of your life, the benefit of being able to continuously meet new groups of people will never disappear.

 

In today’s negative pressure cooker world we live in, exercise and the fun of social partner dancing together create the best stress releases for all ages. Social ballroom dancing provides a relaxed atmosphere for both men and women to gather together and develop friendships and sometimes relationships. Social ballroom and latin dancing is a way to help you dress up and have a great time. Going out dancing and taking group class dance lessons allows you to forget about work and other problems life throws at us and focus on fun and friendship at any age.

 

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The Ballroom Centre

There are many technical terms used in ballroom dancing to describe processes on how to move one’s body to execute the correct movement. This instruction would be advised by a teaching during a ballroom/Latin dance class course or in a number of private lessons. Many top professionals use the term "centre" of our body in other sports this maybe referred to as "the core".

 

Many athletes have found their core’s in their chosen sports. You too can use your centre to improve posture, strengthen your back and prevent injury. The importance of a strong centre is essential if a dancer is to progress to a higher level.

The centre or core or the inner unit has been a term used to describe the muscles which add strength and stability to the spine and pelvis and run the whole length or your torso. These muscles play a vital role in posture, (especially for the ballroom dance frame) injury prevention and increased efficiency and power for most dance movements. They provide stability to the spine, pelvis and shoulder and therefore a solid foundation for movement in all the ballroom and Latin styles. These muscles are the link from your lower body to upper body and they help control a multiple of movements for changes in direction, shifting one’s weight, and the transfer of energy especially when floor craft is applied (i.e. for navigational purposes when avoiding collisions or a smaller ballroom dance floor). 

The muscles that make up the (ballroom and/or Latin) centre may vary depending on which professional you speak to. Most coaches however would agree on a number of key muscles which are responsible for keeping our posture upright and active. These are the Rectus Abdominals which are located along the front of the abdomen, The Erector Spinae muscles, these run between the neck and lower back and finally the Multifidis which are located under the Erector Spinae, which run along the vertebral column. The Internal and External Obliques which are found along the front and side of the abdomen and the Transverse Adbominis which is the deepest abdominal muscle and wraps around to provide protection and stability to the spine. Lastly the hip flexors and gluteals also help to provide stability to the hips and spine.

By dancing certain ballroom and Latin dances you can train you body and improve your core or centre. Your posture will become better than ever and this in turn will increase your energy levels and confidence to participate in dances you may have sat down for in the past. It is important to work within your limits but also discover newer dances to challenge yourself to progress. Another important point is to remember to balance all your dances. In the past many have said that Abdominal Strength is all that is needed to prevent back pain. Exercises in the form of one or two Latin or ballroom dances can definitely help prevent injuries but it must be worked on in conjunction with others to make an effective centre. 

Not only does great centre help but the secret to a great dance life with longevity has many paths, and not just the one’s mentioned above. Reducing heart disease, weight loss, lowering blood pressure and regular exercise such as ballroom dancing can help increase your dance life. Some tips to help you along the way could be, don’t smoke, reduce salt and saturated fat intake, follow a low glycaemic food index, choose fruit as a snack, eat smaller serving sizes by using smaller plates and cups, eat slowly and stop when full, limit alcohol intake are just a small number of the things you can introduce to help you on your way. As always you should consult your medical practitioner before trying any changes to your eating or exercise regime.

 

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Dance For Your Life

Ballroom and Latin dancing is so much fun and the proof is out there that it also promotes wellbeing. Not only the physical aspects but for the mind to and including social interaction. The benefits are wide ranging and less injury prone unlike other sports with heavy weight and high impact aerobics classes. Worldwide people are enjoying ballroom dancing as a great pastime many in ballroom group classes with the added social benefits.

 

There are differences in the Ballroom and Latin styles of each dance some are faster than others with different music and rhythms. With the Ballroom i.e. Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz and Quickstep, it has been known from the competition dancesport field that with the arms raised the heart does get more of a workout than with the Latin dances. However the faster speeds like Jive, Swing and Salsa can easily produce the same result.

 

Your lungs will get plenty of oxygen which makes the heart work easier, thus allowing you to enjoy longer dancing sessions. The quick breaths create a stronger heart and allowing the levels to rise (in between dances) and fall creates conditioning making the night of party dancing fulfilling without being tired and stopping prematurely before the ballroom dancing party’s over. As we use muscles we never thought we had, the body starts to tone and excess flab will dissipate with regular ballroom dancing classes and social events. And as we continue to use our bones and joints the body’s presence improves with more control of rise and fall in some dances and lesser pain from arthritis which can occur at any age. 

 

Our spine can become straighter with the constant introduction of correct posture. The expansion of the diaphragm can correct this with just more than a normal hand shake (firmness) Ballroom dancing frame. This can also help with the lengthening of the spine which introduces traction thus helping your internal organs to be in the right places. Your appearance, your balance, your walk and a sense of body presence will improve your outlook and others will notice the difference to the way your body is carried. These added benefits lead to confidence in the things we do in our everyday lives. Self–esteem may increase, if you’ve never been up in front of people before and once you’ve done it the easier it gets, leading to a sense of wellbeing and a more forward outlook on life. All of our senses are being used, taking the hand of another is just the first step, ballroom dance position, leading and following are also others that create therapeutic benefits of a hug without the intimacy.  Perhaps everyone should ballroom dance.

 

Many professionals i.e. lawyers, accountants, bankers, and company directors have all said that having a ballroom dance lesson either group class or private is the only way their minds can be released from their work. Creating an out of work experience is almost the same as an out of body experience. The mental release is extremely beneficial and healthy for the mind. Giving yourself a mental holiday at least 2-3 times a week is a must in this troubled and pressure cooked world we live in. There is more evidence supporting ballroom dancing as a social must, by being in a social environment we feel more at ease and start to improve our ability to communicate in large crowds and conduct proper social etiquette.

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Greatlife Dance Club

Latin Ballroom Dancing Sydney

 

Where to Learn Ballroom Sequence and New Vogue Dancing

Sequence and New Vogue dancing though you may have never experienced it before is an excellent way of learn to dance in sequence i.e; with everyone else doing the same sequence of steps. After seeing "Dancing with the Stars" on television ", you've decided it's time for you to get away from the TV and experience dancing in the flesh. The first time is always the hardest and even though private instruction is just that, private, group classes are not really that intimidating. Most people you'll find in these sorts of groups are extremely encouraging and friendly. However if you're really shy then private instruction is the way to go. With all the TV coverage it's really got people saying I want to do that.

 

Sequence and New Vogue dancing is easy to learn. You start with easy ones and then progress to the more difficult amalgamations. Since the exposure of dance in the media dancing in all types and styles has really taken off. Classes have increased dramatically and people want more. There are over one hundred sequence dances and more are being created and published via the UK, finally reaching the Australian shores. Here in Australia we have tended to take on British dancing from our early origins and have taken their dance styles through to today. Sequence dancing has taken on the same rhythms from the ballroom such as Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz, Rumba, Cha Cha, Samba, Jive or Swing. Some of the sequences dances to name, just a few, Georgella Blues, Saunter Together, Glen Roy Foxtrot, Georgella Blues, Mayfair Quickstep, Melody Foxtrot, Ragtime Swing, Rumba One. Most of these are

 

There are many places around Australia to learn all these dances, one particular non profit organization is the Ulladulla District Dance Group Inc. This organization has been going now for more than 30 years in the Ulladulla south coast NSW area. They have been successful in promoting the best and most attended sequence ball (held in last May) in NSW and on the south coast. Many couples drive long distances to enjoy this great night out and spend the weekend in this beautiful town and catch up with all their friends from Canberra, Sydney and even Bega. Ulladullla is a famous fishing town it's beautiful harbour and friendly people make it a great get away for dancers to visit for the weekend after they dance their feet off at this fabulous dance ball. Other activities include a Friday night class before the big event, this gives many people time to chat up on there busy lives before the big night. The attendance has been stronger than ever since it started more than 10 years ago, with great music from a great band and organised with the best leadup work, which is why so many people to repeatedly book every year.

 

You can scout around in all cities for dance studios that teach these styles, your local area may have a studio. They may also include other styles of dance and this is quite common because of the variety people demand. Every studio may offer different styles so it's best to contact them before making any commitments, each business will have different priced dance programs. Enjoy!

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