( HEALTH )
MAKE TIME FOR A
DANCE BREAK !
No Lights No Lycra share these benefits of dancing , and five ways you can start ( even if you have two left feet )!
D ance is a way that anyone and everyone can express themselves .
No matter your background , age or fitness level ( or lack thereof ) dance can be a fun way to get your body moving while expressing yourself and having some good old fashioned fun !
Here are five health benefits of dancing and ways to get you started !
1 . Grab a partner
Grab a friend and get involved . Getting your friend involved can make your first step more fun and feel less awkward . It may get you to spend quality time with your friend or partner , push you to reach out and make a new friend , keep you accountable to your dance partner therefore less likely to flake on dance class . It may even get you communicating to people on another level and improve your social life !
2 . Variety – the spice of life
Exercising may start to feel a little repetitive but the beauty of dancing that there are so many different dance styles to choose from . From belly dancing to the waltz , jazz to the zorba , there is a jam to suit everyone . If you think you don ’ t like dancing , try a style you have never tried before . Dancing burns five to ten calories per minute , so you have nothing to lose but weight !
3 . Download an app
These days , thanks to technology , with the press of a few buttons you can download programs onto your phone to help get your feet moving .
Dance company No Lights No Lycra developed a dance app called ‘ Dance Break ’, which during the day will randomly override your phone with a funky song . When the music plays , you must get up and dance ! You could even get the office involved by making sure that when the song plays , everyone in the room must get up and dance !
The more you move , the more your joints remain lubricated which helps prevent arthritis , so get everyone up from sitting at their desk and get moving !
4 . Mind , body and soul
Dance has so many physical benefits . It protects and strengthens your stabilising muscles , and while you move it engages your core muscles which reduces your chances of injury during your daily life . It also improves your posture , strengthens your reflexes and coordination , keeping your central nervous system in shape , as well as keeping your body and mind connected . Dancing may lower stress and depression , and boost endorphins making you feel good , which helps your body , mind and soul balance and feel connected .
5 . Youthful
Because dancing gets your heart rate up and your cardiovascular system pumping , it could even fight the ageing process ! Aside from engaging your cardiovascular system , dancing also increases your lung capacity , and by getting more oxygen into your lungs it will also assist in the rejuvenation of your blood cells which helps to keep you fighting fit and young !
To find out more check out nolightsnolycra . com . au or to download the Dance Break app go to dancebreak . com . au
OH ! MAGAZINE ( APRIL 2017 ) 11