<ul><li>improved condition of your heart and lungs</li><li>increased muscular strength, endurance and motor fitness</li><li>increased aerobic fitness</li><li>improved muscle tone and strength</li><li>weight management</li><li>stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis</li><li>better coordination, agility and flexibility</li><li>improved balance and spatial awareness</li><li>increased physical confidence</li><li>improved mental functioning</li><li>improved general and psychological wellbeing</li><li>greater self-confidence and self-esteem</li><li>better social skills.</li></ul>

Health benefits of dancing

When choosing a dance style, ask yourself questions such as:<ul><li>Do I want to dance to improve my fitness?</li><li>Am I trying to improve my flexibility and coordination?</li><li>Do I prefer fast dancing or slow dancing?</li><li>Do I want to dance with a partner, or on my own?</li><li>Do I want to join a group, or have private lessons?</li><li>Will I enjoy competitions, or do I want to dance just for fun?</li></ul>

Choose a dance style

<ul><li>Dance in a group, with a partner, or on your own.</li><li>Enjoy dancing at dance schools, social venues, community halls and in your own home.</li><li>It can be a great recreational and sporting choice.</li><li>The gear you need for dancing will depend on the style of dancing you choose.</li></ul>

Getting started with dancing

<ul><li>Ballet – this dance style focuses on strength, technique and flexibility.</li><li>Ballroom dancing – this involves a number of partner-dancing styles such as the waltz, swing, foxtrot, rumba and tango.</li><li>Belly dancing – originating in the Middle East.</li><li>Hip-hop – this urban dance style can involve breaking, popping, locking and freestyling.</li><li>Jazz – a high-energy dance style involving kicks, leaps and turns to the beat of the music.</li><li>Pole dancing – It involves sensual dancing with a vertical pole, and requires muscle endurance, coordination, and upper- and lower-body strength.</li><li>Salsa – involving a mixture of Caribbean, Latin American and African influences, salsa is usually a partner dance and emphasises rhythms and sensuality.</li><li>Square-dancing – a type of folk dancing where four couples dance in a square pattern, moving around each other and changing partners.</li><li>Tap dancing – focuses on timing and beats.</li></ul>

Types of dance

There are many forms of dance, from ballroom to barn dancing and disco to Morris dancing. Dance has always been a part of human culture, rituals and celebrations. Today, most dancing is about recreation and self-expression, although it can also be done as a competitive activity.

Getting started with dancing

Similar ideas to Getting started with dancing

Choose a dance style

Dancing benefits

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