Boy! I thought I read it all in this morning Honolulu Advertiser...you know...the article on "Exercise at least 1 hour a day....or the Fat wins" Then I opened my e-mail and Stan (da man Akamine) so kindly shared the following "The Health Benefits of Dancing -- Including Specific Benefits of Different Dances" written by SixWise....... Now most of us dancers are akamai to this kine thought but if not, then lend an ear. Otherwise, somewhere sometime down da road da Fat wins and Stan da man goin' say, "I told you so!" And dat's an auwe to da max!
(So) if you secretly sashay across your living room when you're home alone or long to cha-cha with your significant other, you're in luck. Not only is dancing an exceptional way to let loose and have fun, but it also provides some terrific benefits for your health. In fact, Mayo Clinic researchers reported that social dancing helps to: Reduce stress, Increase energy, Improve strength, Increase muscle tone and coordination.
Dancing the night away can burn more calories per hour than riding a bike or swimming. And whether you like to kick up your heals to hip hop, classical or country, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) says that dancing can: Lower your risk of coronary heart disease, Decrease blood pressure, Help you manage your weight, Strengthen the bones of your legs and hips.
Specific Benefits of Different Dances
If you're looking for specific health results, here's a breakdown of the benefits of some popular dances. Just remember that any type of dancing is better than no dancing at all!
Belly Dancing
Improved posture and muscle toning
Maintains flexibility
Helps prevent lower back problems
Tones and firms arms and shoulders
Helps with weight loss
Helps prepare women for childbirth
Reduces stress
Dancing Off Those Calories
How many calories will you burn while dancing? That depends on the type of dancing. Here's a range of some of the most popular varieties, based on a 150-pound person, per hour:
Swing dancing: 235 calories/hour
Ballroom dancing: 265
Square dancing: 280
Ballet: 300
Belly dancing: 380
Salsa dancing: 420+
Aerobic dancing: 540+
Ballroom Dancing
Conditions the body
Helps keep the heart in shape
Builds and increases stamina
Develops the circulatory system
Strengthens and tones legs and body
Increases flexibility and balance
Helps with weight loss
Relieves stress
Salsa Dancing
Builds endurance and stamina
Helps with weight loss
Relieves stress
Helps you release toxins via sweating
May help lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels
Can lead to a reduced heart rate over time
Square Dancing
Provides cardiovascular conditioning
May lead to a slower heart rate, lower blood pressure and an improved cholesterol profile
Strengthens bones
Helps you develop strong social ties
Loosens and tones muscles
Physical benefits aside, dancing has a way of brightening up a person's day, says ballroom owner and operator Karen Tebeau. "A lot of times, when people come into the studio, it's because there's been a change in their life: a divorce or they've been through a period of depression. They (continue) coming in, and you see a big change. After a while, they're walking in with a sunny expression. You know it's the dancing that's doing that," she says.
