Last update: June 04, 2016
Dancing is a way of making poetry through the body. They say that dancing is one of those arts in which only those who deeply love themselves can really stand out. There is some logic in this, especially if we consider that, to be good dancers, you need to know your body thoroughly, connect it with your most intimate emotions and let it express freely through movements directed by the mind.
When you dance, a kind of happiness comes into play, even in the dances that express a dramatic feeling. Furthermore, dancing gives shape to an act of freedom, a moment in which conventional movements are interrupted and the body is transformed into an artistic medium.
“” The most authentic expressions of the people are found in their dance and their music. The body never lies "
-Agnes de Mille-
Not everyone gets to be professional dancers, but dance is within the reach of anyone and, in fact, it is present in our society in an infinite number of situations. It is no coincidence that there are discos and regional or family holidays are celebrated. Many believe that a party without music is an incomplete party, as dancing is synonymous with celebration and joy.
The physiological benefits of dancing
The first major benefit of dancing occurs on a physical plane. Dance is a demanding exercise, it implies a great physical effort to which to add the high coordination capacity of the different parts of the body with background music. Experts indicate that one hour of dancing equals two and a half hours of aerobic exercise.
Like any physical activity, dancing helps to release endorphins, channel adrenaline and reduce stress. A study published in 2005 in the International Journal of Neuroscience tells us that a group of boys with mild depression managed to improve their condition through dance. Dancing allowed them to reduce dopamine levels and increase serotonin levels, which contributed to an improvement in their mood.
Further research carried out at the Albert Einstein Institute of Medicine in New York has shown that dancing has positive effects on the brain and helps prevent aging. Apparently, the dance counteracts the loss of volume in the hippocampus, a structure directly linked to memory. According to research findings, while completing a crossword puzzle or similar pastime can reduce the risk of dementia by up to 47%, dancing can reach 76%.
A study was carried out at the Canadian University of McGill which proved that people with Parkinson's disease greatly improve their condition when they dance tango continuously. Many of the patients involved claimed that when they danced to the beat of the music, the shaking of their limbs began to fade. The rhythm of the music took hold of their bodies.
By dancing life is enriched
For better or for worse, as one becomes an adult and is assailed by responsibilities, the body begins to adopt repetitive postures. Our limbs seem to transform into a body foreign to us. We rarely focus on this aspect, except when we begin to feel a pain here or there. We tend to worry about our body more for an aesthetic or medical issue, ignoring its artistic potential.
When you start practicing dance, you become aware of your body at the same time. Any stiffness and disconnection begins to appear evident. The typical questions of any new aspiring dancer are "Why can't I" loosen "the belt, hips or shoulders?", "Why can't I tune my feet with my hands and my head with my torso?".
The truth is that the body reflects our personality and our inner conflicts, and dancing is the easiest way to make this evident. This is the first great advantage of dance: it helps us connect with ourselves, it allows us to express our inner world. Making the body follow the rhythm of the music leads to self-knowledge, revealing all asynchrony.
But it doesn't stop there. Dancing is primarily a social activity and, as such, it allows us not only to connect with ourselves, but also with others. In most cases, dancing forces us to adapt to another person's body and movements. Without realizing it, we grow in empathy and sociability. It is also an excellent antidote to shyness, especially in adolescence. Dancing allows us to capture the rhythm of life in the heart.
