A dance for health
Print Edition
New workouts and exercise regimes to get rid of some unwanted belly fat pop up every year, but why not resort to a time-tested workout that is so much fun it’s generally seen as hobby?
If you ever found yourself a little envious of the impressive dance moves on competitive shows like ‘Dance With the Stars’ or ‘So You Think You Can Dance,’ it might be time for you to put on the dancing shows yourself and head to one of the city’s dance studios.
Although dancing is usually considered a hobby that requires some talent, it’s also a competitive sport that makes for a great workout. A feeling for rhythm is definitely needed, but you don’t have to be the reincarnation of Mozart to be able to move your hips to the beat of the music. Just turn on a song, and your body will swing to the beat naturally — proof that a certain dance gene is in all of us.
Compared to jogging and fitness walking, dancing is much more fun without repeating the same movement all the time, and it helps improve your balance and coordination as well.
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine shows that frequent dancing decreases the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Like any other aerobic sports, dancing can get your heart rate up. Of course different dance styles are more exhausting than others, but on average, you burn 240 calories in one hour of dancing.
Dancing can greatly increase flexibility and reduce stiffness for those who have some trouble with their back or shoulders.
It can also help ease pain in your joints, and it will improve your posture. If you feel stressed out, a dancing class might help you relax, and as a group activity or with a partner, it can certainly boost your mood.
On top of all these benefits, you live in one of the best cities in the world to start dancing. Many master classes and workshops instructed by world renowned dancers are available throughout the year in the city’s dance studios.
If you are novice and not sure whether you want to sign up for classes yet, check out these very simple set of hip hop dance moves to get you started at home right away.
Choreographer Phoenix from Let’s Dance Professional Dance & Yoga Studio demonstrates some hip-hop dance moves:
Picture 1: Stretch both arms straight to the side and squat down at the same time. Remember to keep your movement nicely controlled.
Picture 2: Shift your balance to your right. Meanwhile, lift your left leg up close to your chest and stretch your right arm up next to your ear. You can jump a little if you want to match the beat of the song.
Picture 3: Step down and shift your balance back to the center. Put your right arm down while stretching your left arm to the left side.
Picture 4: Shift your balance to your left leg. Step your right leg to the left in the back while crossing your right arm in front of your body to the left.
Tip: Once you are capable of doing the four individual moves smoothly, you can dance a bit more quickly to the beat.
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