| Thanks to reality television shows like "Dancing | | | | never start a class without a physical warm-up |
| with the Stars" and "So You Think You Can | | | | that includes stretching exercises. Your head, |
| Dance," more people are becoming interested in | | | | neck, shoulders, upper back, lower back, upper |
| dancing. Adults, teenagers and children all over the | | | | legs, lower legs and sides will always get a good |
| country are lining up to take classes at schools | | | | stretch. |
| and studios. | | | | You will also improve your range of motion. You |
| Many adults have fond memories of taking dance | | | | should have an easier time moving your shoulders, |
| classes as children or adolescents and wish to | | | | arms, and back. When your range of motion is |
| resume their instruction. Other adults have never | | | | increased, you will notice that your muscles are |
| taken lessons, but have wanted to since childhood. | | | | able to extend and flex better. Since most genres |
| If this describes you, then now is the time to | | | | of dance require lots of bending and stretching, |
| start. You'll be surprised at the benefits you'll gain. | | | | your flexibility will improve the longer you dance. |
| Physical Benefits | | | | Social and Emotional Benefits |
| 1. Strength. Dancing builds muscular strength by | | | | 1. Socializing and Making Friends. Participating in |
| using your own body weight as resistance. Many | | | | dance class is a wonderful way to meet new |
| genres, such as ballet and jazz, require jumping | | | | friends. Many dating, engaged and married couples |
| and leaping through the air. Jumping and leaping | | | | take Latin and Ballroom dance classes together, |
| properly demands very strong leg muscles. | | | | as they are able to exercise and socialize |
| 2. Endurance. If you want to increase your | | | | together and learn romantic partner dances. |
| cardiovascular fitness and endurance levels, get up | | | | 2. Improved Self-Esteem and Body Image. |
| and get moving to the music. Building endurance | | | | Unfortunately, many women in our society suffer |
| means training your muscles to work hard for | | | | with self-esteem and body image problems, |
| lengthy time periods without experiencing fatigue. | | | | caused partially by the unhealthy and unrealistic |
| If you are interested in participating in classes to | | | | images of women portrayed in the media. |
| build your endurance and your cardiovascular | | | | As you concentrate on dancing and learning new |
| fitness, then consider particularly high-energy | | | | dance steps, your self-esteem will gradually rise. |
| styles including Swing, Ballroom and Latin. National | | | | As you learn graceful new ways for your body |
| health experts recommend adults receive 30 to | | | | to move through space, you will gain a better |
| 60 minutes a day of physical exercise. An | | | | appreciation and respect for your body, resulting |
| enjoyable dance class once or twice a week is a | | | | in a healthier body image. |
| fantastic way to fulfill your body's requirement for | | | | There's no need to keep wishing and dreaming. |
| exercise, while still having fun. | | | | Go out and take that dance class you've always |
| 3. Flexibility. Participating in the classes will definitely | | | | dreamed about taking. It doesn't matter if you're |
| help you to improve upon your flexibility. You'll | | | | an adult. The time to get started is now. |