As Sir Bruce would say, let’s “keep dancin'”.
For those who know me or have been following me, it will come as no surprise that I shall be going dancing tonight – to a modern jive reunion. I have recently been reconnecting with my love of jive and Ceroc – the sheer energy of it is so uplifting.
Plus, it’s not difficult to pick up even a few steps. Last week’s session involved a small group of complete beginners; four couples who wanted to try it out together. By the end of the first session plus the Beginners Workshop session, they were not bad… and mightily pleased with themselves. It was lovely to see!
Social dancing can encompass anything from Ballroom and Latin (strut your Strictly persona) to courtly dances from Tudor times if you went to a Historical Dance meeting; from the innocence of folk dancing and barn dances to the sophistication of Argentine Tango; from the strict communal rhythm of tap and Appalachian Tap and Line Dancing to the sultry beat of Salsa.
Seven reasons to go dancing:
1 – It’s great cardio-vascular exercise and really gets the circulation going: good for detoxing by building up a good sweat; and this is good for your skin, getting that healthy glow, and getting your joints moving.
2 – It also boosts your metabolic rate so that you burn more calories, and also to stabilise your blood sugar levels. Energetic exercise has been shown to be really helpful for people with Diabetes.
3 – Partner dancing is particularly good for strengthening your back, particularly square dances and jive/ceroc, as you’re having to match your dance partner.
4 – Learning something new is good for our brain – Use it or Lose it! Research has shown that learning new movements to music is even better as it helps different parts of the brain to make connections and work together
5 – Companionship: having skin contact, if only hand to hand, and social contact, meeting a new group of people, doing something in a group, a tribe if you like, really boosts our feelings of social inclusion and our endorphins, those Feel Good Hormones. If you are single, then dances like jive/ceroc or tango/salsa are good, as in the class you keep changing partners. If you prefer to dance solely with your Beloved, then Ballroom dancing is probably more suitable.
6 – Twisting movements – particularly in the Argentine Tango – are great for the waistline and the hips!
7 – Dancing that helps you laugh, which may of course be laughing at your mistakes, is simply FUN!
Are you in or near Baldock in North Herts, or Bromley, SE London, BR1?
Do you feel that maybe you are too stiff to try dancing?
Maybe you are already a dancer, and have either injured yourself, or are aware of a restriction?
Give me a call on 07535 350 343 for a chat or to book an appointment for some Osteopathy with the dancing osteopath who will really understand your aches and pains.. and get you moving better.