WE LIKE TO MOVE IT - MOVE IT

VIWE NDONGENI-NTLEBI

DANCE fitness stands out from technical or traditional dance in that technique and intricate choreography aren’t the main focus. Participants don’t spend months perfecting a routine in anticipation of a show or recital; but rather, they show up, work up a sweat while doing their best to follow an instructor and leave feeling good about their workout. Dancing has extra benefits as it’s often a social activity. Dancing with a partner or in a group can help you feel more connected to other people.

Here are types of dance you can try out:

Cardio-Based Dance Fitness:

Many dance fitness classes have a focus on cardiovascular exercise. Instructors plan easy-tofollow choreography that keeps participants moving in an effort to raise their heart rates. Styles like Zumba, Jazzercise, LaBlast, Hip Hop Abs, TurboJam, and Bokwa all fall into this category notes VeryWell Fit.

Some of the health benefits of regular cardio exercise such as dancing, include:

● Increased stamina

● Improved mobility and flexibility

● A better sense of balance

● Improved blood flow

● A stronger immune system

● Better sleep

● Reduced stress

● Reduced risk for certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease

● Dancing also has mental health benefits. Aerobic exercise may help improve your mood and reduce your risk of depression.

Mind-Body Flow:

Hybrid classes such as yoga dance classes are becoming the new fitness craze. Blending dance, yoga and strength training

into one-hour classes solves the dilemma of not enough time, and not enough variety in order to get a full body workout. But there is something more. Hybrids also exercise the mind.

The components of a complete workout are:

● Flexibility

● Balance

● Strength training

● Aerobics

On a physical level, the yoga moves open the body and create flexibility and balance, while adding strength and toning.

Body resistance poses are used to build strong bones and strengthen the muscles. It is a total and complete body workout.

Sensual Dance Classes

The modern resurgence of dance involves styles that are commonly associated with the strip club industry, including: pole dance, chair dance, exotic dance and sensual movement.

The sensual movement is a style of dance also known as exotic dance, striptease and stripping. By taking the standard style of striptease, sensual movement adds choreographed movement meant to embrace the female body, further empowering women to find strength and beauty in their own bodies.

This form of dance is commonly associated with the strip club industry, an industry which has received criticism for being demeaning to women. But, as this style of dance increases in popularity, more studios are beginning to emerge explains Sophie Luxton, a former exotic dance and sensual movement teacher.

Many sensual teachers advise on using this form of dance as selfexpression and recommend it for anyone looking for a way to tone up in a pressure-free environment.

USE sensual dance as a form of self-expression. | GREGOIRE BERTAUD Unsplash

Barre Workout

Barre fitness is a super energizing, whole-body workout that’s great for everyone, from beginners to pros. Each class is meant to build alignment, strengthen your core, and tone and elongate muscles. Think of it as offering all the body benefits of a ballet dancer – without attempting a pirouette.

A barre workout combines elements of a classical ballet barre workout with Pilates and contemporary leg exercises to offer a low-impact, challenging workout focusing on the lower body.

ByRide explains that most barre classes will start with a short warmup, some using small weights and others starting at the barre. The teacher will demonstrate the movement and then provide encouragement and corrections for the students to get the most out of every move in every exercise.

BARRE fitness is a super-energising full body workout. | NATHANIEL VALA Unsplash