“Dancing with the Stars” producers got flak for featuring transgender Chaz Bono in the fall season. Bono says the dance competition is helping him with shyness. It should also help with his weight problems. Dancing has many benefits. Here are some reasons why people should dance.
Dancing, especially with a partner, is great exercise
Bono’s cha-cha with partner Lacey Schwimmer was a real workout. The cha-cha focuses mainly on foot work with lots of rotating hip action. Partner dances also provide more upper-body conditioning than solo foot dances such as tap and clogging. Regardless of form, dancing builds coordination and muscle tone. It’s also a great fat burner.
Dance is a total body workout
Ballet, jazz, hip hop and modern are the most inclusive of the dance forms. Our daughter studied these dance forms for many years. She says ballet is as much about upper-body coordination as legwork.
Dance helps with development
Preschool and kindergarten teachers use dance to help small children develop gross motor skills. Parachute activities are precursors to dance. Little ones can learn square dancing and group reels. Kindermusik is a great early childhood music and dance program.
Dancing develops coordination
Because dance relies heavily on rhythm and musical pacing, dance is the best exercise for building coordination and agility. Swimming is touted as the perfect exercise, but it doesn’t teach integration of movement like dance does. I’ve always been an excellent swimmer, but I struggle with balance. I have inner-ear issues that cause me to get dizzy easily. Learning slower partner dances such as waltzing could have helped.
Dance helps special needs children
Bono says dance has helped him overcome diffidence. Children with emotional issues often respond positively to music and dance. Dance draws out shy children. Music therapy helps autistic children learn social skills. Dance is used by physical and occupational therapists to address kinesthetic, tactile and perceptual problems. Dance increases a child’s confidence and self-expression.
Dancing together helps families bond
Many famous dancers got their start dancing with their parents. The late Patrick Swayze’s mother was a dance instructor and he was her partner. Many families pass on cultural dances such as polka to their children. Dancing lessons aren’t necessary, but they are a good option for family activity. Dance lessons are a healthier use of entertainment funds. Instead of sedentary video games, Wii Just Dance or Dance Dance Revolution provide interaction and fitness. The family that dances together grows together.
Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben writes from 23 years parenting four children and 25 years teaching K-8, special needs, adult education and home-school.
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