Dancing has been around for thousands of years and is a popular way for people to express themselves creatively and get exercise. Up to 10 million Americans take dance classes and even more just dance for fun at home or with friends. Besides being enjoyable, dancing can also have positive effects on your health and brain function.
It Improves Satisfaction
Studies indicate that people who dance report a greater sense of satisfaction with their lives than those who do not. The reason for this is that dance inspires creativity and physical self-expression that leads to a higher sense of satisfaction. It also helps individuals achieve a greater sense of mastery over their bodies and improves cognition.
While it may seem counterintuitive, one drawback of dancing is that it only works a limited set of muscles. This can be an issue for those with injuries or other ailments that affect a large portion of the body’s muscle sets. Fortunately, there are other exercises that can work a larger number of muscle groups in a more balanced fashion.
Developing Expression
Many dancers rely on their face to convey emotion when performing. For example, if the dance is about sadness, the dancer might show that with their facial expressions. A dancer can also communicate a sense of urgency or power by the way they move their body, whether it is sharp and sudden or smooth and steady.
The music in a dance can also convey emotion and adds to the overall feel of a performance. It can make the performance more upbeat or sombre, depending on the style of music and how it is arranged.
