The Health Benefits of Being a Dancer

Since I was 4 years old, I have been a dancer. It is something that I enjoy and take very seriously. I have been trained in ballet, tap, and my favorite styles of dancing, hip hop and jazz. I have always danced because of my passion and love of self expression through the art, but I never thought much about the health benefits. As I sat back and talked to my current, college dance team at Michigan State University, I realized there are many health benefits that comes with the art/sport.

First off, you should know you don’t have to be a trained dancer to get enjoy the benefits of dancing.

1. Dancing can help you lose weight. Dancing requires the movement of your entire body in different ways. By constantly moving around, you are exercising your body and in turn, burning calories.

2. Dancing helps with your balance and posture. Almost every move, especially in ballet, requires good posture and constant movement. There are also stretched that dancers do specifically geared toward improving balance. This in return will help your posture and balance even when you are out of the dance studio. I have many people ask me if I am a dancer because I have great posture.

3. Dancing increases muscular strength. There are various dance moves that works the muscles repeatedly and helps build them.

4. Dancing increases flexibility. There are multiple stretches that dancers do to prepare themselves for shows. These stretches over time can credibly increase flexibility.

5. Dance improves the condition of the heart. Dancing can raise your heart and breathing rates because it is is very active. It increases your heart’s exercising by using burning calories.

6. Dance helps you sleep better. During a vigorous session of dancing, your body is being exercised and getting tired out, in return you will sleep great while your body is resting!

Now that you know some of the benefits of dancing, make sure you go out there and explore dance class options. And if you attend Michigan State University, make sure to check out MSU Urban Dreams Dance Team!

-LisaLenora