Why do people dance? Should a child be forced to dance? Dance suits all ages

20.08.2023

· 25.01.2019

Dancing is not only needed to maintain physical fitness. They can also be very useful for improving memory and even normalizing hormone levels.

Dance is a leisure activity that makes us feel alive. Who hasn’t experienced elation after making a couple of successful moves at a disco or nightclub? Yes, even at home! Maybe it's time for you too go dancing?

It doesn't matter whether you dance alone or in a pleasant company. After all, the beauty of dance lies in the harmony between your body and the world around you. Sometimes this is exactly what we are all missing.

In fact, to dance, you don't even need to know how to do it correctly. In other words, Anyone can dance - men and women, children and adults, even older people! Therefore, no matter where you live, there is always the opportunity to join this exciting activity.

At the same time, dance is a cultural and social activity that has been practiced by people since time immemorial. For example, our ancestors used it to perform various magical rituals.

Throughout its history, the dance has transformed and finally evolved into what it is now. As a result of this evolution, many dance styles emerged. I wonder what each of them originated in a certain place on our planet and carries the features of its creators.

Fortunately, thanks to globalization, everyone now has the opportunity to experience this world cultural heritage and go dancing.

Why should you take up dancing?

Enough history. After all, the whole fun of dancing lies in participate yourself, and not just watch from the sidelines. However, it doesn’t hurt to find out why dance is so useful, besides pleasure and joy.

In our article today we will tell you exactly about this.

1. Good for the heart

And here the dance cannot be compared with anything. Therefore, it is incredibly beneficial for the health of the cardiac system.
According to experts, if you dance on a regular basis, it helps prevent heart disease. In addition, it also helps strengthen the arteries and veins.
And finally, dance helps Every cell in your body receives more oxygen.

2. Helps improve memory

Unfortunately, many people have problems and appear gradually. Like many other health problems, this one too associated with unhealthy lifestyle.

For this reason, you should take care of yourself in advance. One of the best ways is through exercise, and dance is an ideal option.

Indeed, in addition to the fact that dance increases the flow of oxygen to cells, it gives positive emotions. In other words, dancing a great way to protect brain health.

So, here's another reason to take up dancing: you will improve your memory and develop the ability to solve several problems at the same time.

3. Helps cope with stress

So, you probably already understand that dancing brings happiness and fun. To dispel any doubts, just look at the faces of those who dance regularly.

Music, which is an integral part of every dance, invites a person to move in one way or another. We move our arms and legs in a certain rhythm, without even realizing it.

Moreover, each movement is responsible for the synthesis of certain hormones, especially endorphins and serotonin, the so-called happiness hormones.

So dancing helps relieve anxiety, take your mind off problems, and ultimately fight stress.

4. Makes you stronger

Good physical shape is the basis for the harmonious development of a person. This is what defines us, from birth to death.

The problem is that over time, some of our abilities begin to fade if we do not train them.

To avoid this, you need to work on yourself.

What are these abilities?

They can be divided into two main groups:

Basic physical abilities:

Speed
Endurance

Movement coordination:

Adaptation
Balance
Orientation
Synchronization
Differentiation

Dancing improves all these indicators, especially balance, coordination, orientation and flexibility. Of course, it all depends on the type of dance.

Main image courtesy of © wikiHow.com

Bibliography

Keogh, J. W. L., Kilding, A., Pidgeon, P., Ashley, L., & Gillis, D. (2009). Physical benefits of dancing for healthy older adults: A review. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. Human Kinetics Publishers Inc. https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.17.4.479
Quiroga Murcia, C., Kreutz, G., Clift, S., & Bongard, S. (2010). Shall we dance? An exploration of the perceived benefits of dancing on well-being. Arts & Health, 2 (2), 149–163. https://doi.org/10.1080/17533010903488582
Merom, D., Grunseit, A., Eramudugolla, R., Jefferis, B., Mcneill, J., & Anstey, K. J. (2016). Cognitive benefits of social dancing and walking in old age: The dancing mind randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 8 (FEB). https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2016.00026
Marich, J., & Howell, T. (2015). Dancing mindfulness: A phenomenological investigation of the emerging practice. Explore, 11 (5), 346–356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2015.07.001

The problem with modern man is that he is, in fact, lazy and does not want anything. The maximum he condescends to is not to harm himself. There is no question of making a significant qualitative leap in your life. He thinks that in order to exist normally, it is enough to give up mayonnaise, fried foods and fast carbohydrates, occasionally read a book so that the brain does not atrophy, and walk more. This is not the path to development, it is the path to degradation and aging. There are many people who become better over the years: more stately, more competent, more thoroughbred, more interesting, and great-looking. Many people think of them as genes, not realizing that they can be like that too. These are not only genes, but also a person’s conscious choice, the result of a lot of work in all directions: health, beauty, intelligence, athleticism, education, cultural, spiritual development, art and creativity, etc. Each of these aspects is affected by different types of activities, but there are the most optimal integrated areas that affect several of these aspects simultaneously.

By taking care of health through clinics, sanatoriums and rehabilitation centers, we directly influence health and, as a result, beauty. When visiting beauty salons and spas, we focus exclusively on our appearance. By engaging in active sports (including fitness and the gym), we improve our athletic training, and, as a result, beauty, while the health aspect remains in question - you can either improve it or get serious injuries. When we go on a diet, we influence our figure and beauty, but often to the detriment of our health. The closest to the optimal type of activity is swimming and yoga. At the same time, swimming in chlorinated pools cannot be called useful; it also has a strong influence on the formation of the figure: swollen shoulder girdle and legs, which is very controversial from the point of view of beauty. Yoga is an almost ideal balanced load: it provides excellent strength training, stretching, makes the body and spirit healthy and beautiful; but there is also a downside. Yoga has a wide range of contraindications, especially at the early stage of practice, asanas must be performed under the strict supervision of a guru, many asanas are extremely contraindicated for old people, many asanas are prohibited from doing on “women’s days”, failure to comply with safety rules can lead to irreparable consequences. Also, yoga has virtually no dynamic load, although in the latest trends in yoga, they have already come to this and are trying to include dynamic exercises in the program, but you can’t chase two birds with one stone... Dynamics is the opposite pole of the concept of yoga: working on static load, stretching, meditation, breath work. Therefore, yoga will never lack dynamic cardio load, and this is the only load that makes us move for endurance, strengthening the heart muscle, making us more mobile. Dance has forever occupied the first place in the “useful activities” chart (in some cases we mean the basis of modern dance “Improvisation for the dance floor”). Judge for yourself…

Any form of dance, unlike all other activities, is filled with beauty, aesthetics, culture, as well as spiritual and physical development. Dance is the most beautiful action performed by a person. The beauty that a person acquires through dance is projected onto his external and internal manifestations, onto his actions, actions and thoughts. Imagine that a certain “beauty filter” is applied to you, like on a photograph in Photoshop, and this filter works in both directions: for the outside world you become more beautiful, and the world becomes more beautiful for you. You begin to relate to everything differently, look at things differently, notice the good more and ignore the bad. It’s as if everything around you has changed, but in reality you yourself have changed. The “beauty filter” works equally well regardless of a person’s initial data: appearance, figure. It works like a magnet - everyone is drawn to beautiful people, such is human nature.

Dancing makes a person more beautiful in every sense. In life, people who are passionate about dance are very different from others: they move differently, behave differently, dress better, use facial expressions and hands differently, speak differently, look much younger than their age, and at heart they are still young. It seems as if age has no power over them. Beauty is the first reason why you should learn to dance.

The second reason to learn to dance is physical fitness. I never tire of repeating that the body was created for movement, it lives and develops only in movement, otherwise it begins to age. The principle is this: if a muscle is not used, the body decides that you do not need it, and the muscle atrophies. The older you get, the more difficult it is to get it back into shape, but at any age it can be trained. It follows that it is important to choose a set of exercises that will involve the maximum number of muscles. This is a key point in the modern dance training program; its task is to provide a balanced load for all muscle groups, a kind of complex “simulator” for the body. The second key point is that all movements must be performed in a safe manner, i.e. The program has no contraindications. If you are not a disabled person and can walk, bend and turn, then it is suitable for you. The main muscle that is trained the most here is the heart. The main mode of the program is aerobic, endurance, the number of strength movements is minimal. For this reason, the program is ideal for adults. But this also implies a certain disadvantage: for the full development of the body, strength load is also required, so ideally, it is good to combine the study of dance with yoga classes. In addition, you will get a full body stretch, which is also important for good health. In the modern dance program, attention is paid only to stretching those muscles that we use in dancing on the dance floor, namely the core muscles.

Balanced, competent maintenance of physical fitness inevitably leads to health and beauty. It is also important to understand that having an amazing athletic or model physique, but not having the slightest idea of how it works, does not mean being in good physical shape. We call this concept a “monument.” Having a cool car and not being able to use it is sad. Mobility is the main criterion for assessing physical fitness.

The next important reason to learn to dance is culture. The modern generation is very different from previous ones, showing a sharp cultural decline in almost all areas, including dance. We see the main reasons for the phenomenon that

being able to dance has ceased to be fashionable. There are no idols who could lead and ignite the crowd. But, like any fashion, it is temporary.
evening discos are no longer held - there is no place where a person could go in the evening and dance.
Thousands of all kinds of new areas of active recreation have appeared in the world, and the entire population is evenly divided according to interests among these areas into subcultures. Dancing has ceased to be the main link of society.
The Internet, television and technology have turned people into zombies.
sedentary work - in prosperous sedentary vegetables
There is no such discipline as dancing in educational programs.
The pace of life is growing - people have less and less time. To assign something, you need to cancel something.

These are just some of the reasons why people don't think about learning to dance, and it's not their fault. I would like to believe that this is a reversible process. If you don’t try to look for those to blame and agree that everyone makes their own choices, then it is necessary to fill the gaps in culture starting with yourself.

Another important reason to take up dancing is spiritual development. Dance ennobles a person, inspires, leads to harmony, balance and purification, because it is the most active form of meditation. Dance makes a person kinder, more relaxed, more sociable, more attentive, softer and more sensual.

An integral argument in favor of dance is that it is an art. The elite stratum of society has always differed from the working class in its mastery of various types of arts. Among other things, dancing was considered obligatory. Those who could not dance were ashamed and tried to avoid balls so as not to be branded as ignorant. Never before has there been such a thing that the absence of dance culture would be considered the norm. Art and creativity elevate people above themselves - it’s not for nothing that everyone strives to have at least some kind of hobby for the soul, which is not done for the sake of money. It is important for every person that his life be something more than a series of “wow-anal” impulses.

Speaking about the exceptional features of teaching the basis of modern dance “improvisation for the dance floor”, it should be added that dance is not just pleasant entertainment, it is a serious educational program worthy of teaching in higher educational institutions as a fundamental program of modern dance. This is a technique that requires intelligence, composure, attention, concentration, analysis, and structural thinking skills. It is not for nothing that most of our students are economists, financiers, programmers, accountants, lawyers, managers and other representatives of analytical professions. It would seem that it is “just a dance,” but in fact it is a powerful tool for intellectual development.

If you are still unmotivated and doubtful whether you should learn to dance, I will be brief:

dance and music are the best antidepressants and mood modulators
dance is a reason for admiration, reverence and respect at all times
dance classes are surrounded by beautiful, creative people who have not sold their souls to the benefits of technological progress
dancing is the best thing you can do for the temple of your soul
dance is secret knowledge passed down over centuries, which is the most important heritage of culture. It is culture that distinguishes humans from other living beings.
You will remember your dancing lessons at the end of your life with a smile and pride
dance is what your descendants will remember and appreciate about you
dance is what inspires us and makes us love
dance is a reason for communication and new acquaintances
dancing is a reason to take care of yourself and your figure
dance is the whole world and the meaning of life for millions of people (see for yourself in search engines how many millions of sites are dedicated to dance)
dance is a way to cure diseases
the inclusion of dance in the compulsory education program can revive the health of the nation
dance is the only international language of communication that everyone understands
there is no person who would say that dancing is bad
dance increases awareness and body control
dance is a safe source of boundless pleasure and excitement
dance without words says who you are...

The list goes on and on. For everyone, dance means something different, personal. What else on earth can boast such a rich list of advantages? Still doubt that learning to dance is worth the candle? Then you probably don’t care about yourself, you’re overcome by laziness, you’re not ready to fight and will gladly accept life for a bottle of beer and TV. Years will pass, you will look at yourself from the outside and will really regret that you never gave yourself a chance. Is weakness your choice?
(c) Diana Stark
www.site

Do you like to dance? Or maybe your child loves to dance? Then, for sure, you were wondering about choosing a dance school, thinking about where and in what direction it is better to go yourself or send your child. In this article we have collected all the main issues related to dancing. Vladimir Sheremetyev answers them, teacher-choreographer with sixteen years of experience, author of many materials on the history and technique of performing various dance styles, director of the modern dance studio “Step Forward”, Chelyabinsk. So, let's begin!

— At what age is it better to send a child to dance?

Here, a lot depends on the individual characteristics of the child, on the format of the classes and on the dance direction that you choose for your child. If we are talking about children's dance classes, then you can try to start classes at three years old with the indispensable condition that the classes themselves will be held in a playful way, and a professional teacher will work with the child.

At the same time, the issue of individual characteristics and development remains open, because not all children at three years old are ready for classes without the presence of their parents. However, by the age of four, the vast majority are already engaged in children's dance quite successfully, get great pleasure from the classes and have good results. Therefore, the answer to this question is this: send your child to a dance studio from the age of three or four and choose children’s dance groups. We’ll talk a little later about why it’s worth sending your baby to this particular direction.

— At what age is it not too late to start dancing yourself?

Practice shows that it’s never too late to start exercising yourself; it all depends only on your motivation, as well as on your health. Of course, starting to breakdance at sixty will probably be very difficult and traumatic. Therefore, decide which direction you like and which one is suitable for medical reasons. If we do not take age extremes, then we can say with confidence that middle age is not a hindrance. Even if you start training at thirty, you can achieve very good results in many types of dances, for example, in street styles. Therefore, do not deny yourself and do not refer to years, if you dream of becoming a good dancer, the power of your dreams can work wonders. And if we are talking about classes for yourself and for the soul, come to the gym, no matter how old you are.

Summarizing the above, the answer will be this: when practicing as a hobby, there are no age restrictions for any dance direction. The main thing is to try to get into a group of your age so that the training is comfortable.

If you want to achieve certain results, dance semi-professionally or professionally, then for street dances, such as hip-hop, popping, locking, etc., middle age is not a contraindication, on the contrary, you can learn to dance well at this age, you can reach certain heights and gain public recognition. In the case of choreography, modern, ballet, and also breakdancing, due to the high demands on physical fitness, it is advisable to start at least at student age. The same goes for ballroom dancing.

— Should I send the baby to hip-hop or breakdancing?

A very interesting question often asked by modern parents. Hip-hop and breakdancing are popular now, they are shown on TV, children watch and try to repeat the bright movements. But does it make sense to send a child, that is, a child under 6 years old, to these types of dances, is it worth paying for such classes? Our opinion is that it is definitely too early to dance hip-hop or breakdance at this age. If you want your child to not just jump around at home and in the gym, but to actually learn something, it’s better to sign him up for a children’s dance. There are several reasons for this:

Firstly, both hip-hop and breakdancing are technically quite complex and young children, as a rule, do not have enough attention and concentration to learn the elements correctly. It is necessary to send the child to a place where he is given material of adequate complexity that he is able to perceive. For even if you enroll him in a dance group simply for the child to waste energy, isn’t it better to combine this waste of energy with learning something useful, something that he can adequately learn in his three to five years?

Secondly, at this age, children need to be trained in a playful way using appropriate methods, and street dancing does not imply this. Toddlers need to be given rhythm, physical development, and coordination through activities that they understand and are ready for.

Nowadays there really are dance schools that take hip-hop classes from almost three years old. But we must understand that this is done only because of the presence of demand in the market, because demand dictates supply. There will be no real benefit from such activities for three or four years. On the contrary, an inexperienced and young teacher, of whom there are many who teach street dancing, can do some harm and discourage a child from any desire to dance in general.

So if your little one really likes street dancing, wait a couple of years and in the meantime, send him to a children's dance. There he will spend this time usefully and, subsequently, come to hip-hop or breakdancing with good preparation.

— What are the criteria for choosing a dance school?

Despite the fact that there may be several main criteria for choosing a dance school, the main one will always be the professionalism of the teaching staff. And here you need to pay attention to the following factors:

1) Age of the teacher. Dancing and teaching dance is the lot of the young, so, in principle, it’s okay if your teacher is only in his early twenties. But if he or she is under twenty and teaches classes to children, then it makes sense to think about what such a young choreographer can really teach a child. In the case of teaching adults, here, as a rule, everything is not so strict, because it is usually easier to find a pedagogical approach to accomplished people. But in any case, you need to pay attention to this.

2) Professional education. Ask whether the teacher has a professional education in the dance field or whether he is currently receiving it. When it comes to choreography, ballet, modern, ballroom dancing, secondary specialized or higher vocational education is a big plus. If we are talking about street dancing, hip-hop or breakdancing, then there are no such subjects in educational institutions, so it is worth paying attention to other things.

3) Achievements. Many teachers, especially young people, like to boast about their own achievements at various competitions and festivals, prizes, trips, and so on. However, let's remember that a person's victory at any dance event, although it speaks about his own dance level, does not mean at all that he is a good teacher and can really teach dance. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to what results this teacher’s students achieve.

4) Manner of communication. In our opinion, this is one of the most important criteria. A person must be able to communicate competently, find a common language with children and adults, and be bright. Then you will enjoy the lessons and this will give additional motivation to study.

In addition, a good dance school always has a dance teaching system, programs that teachers work on, and in-school events that you can and should attend. If this exists, it means that the school’s management is really working for the good and it’s worth enrolling in such a studio.

Among other criteria for choosing a dance school, we note the convenience of location and adequate cost for the services provided. But let’s still say that the main thing is always the teacher and the pedagogical system built in the dance school. It’s better to overpay for the quality of training and a good result than to pay a lot of money and be disappointed. Therefore, analyze, understand whether you and your child like the classes and do not be afraid to praise the studio and teacher who really work for you.

— What should you wear to dance classes?

The question is purely technical. It all depends on the style of dance you will be doing. For choreography, this is usually leggings and a T-shirt for girls and a T-shirt and sweatpants for men. People often practice this type of dance in socks or barefoot, or you can wear ballet shoes.

If we are talking about street dancing, then it is always quite loose clothing that does not restrict movement - a T-shirt and sweatpants are suitable, as well as sports shoes, sneakers or sneakers on your feet.

When we talk about children's dance classes, the kids buy gymnastic leotards (or shorts and a T-shirt for boys), and wear Czech shoes or ballet shoes on their feet.

Well, adults can dress for classes in popular dance styles the same way they would dress if they came to fitness.

— How long does it take to learn to dance?

A very controversial question that, nevertheless, interests many. After all, what does it mean to “learn to dance”? For some, mastering a couple of dance moves will be enough to shine at a disco, while others need a big stage.

Therefore, you must first decide on the purpose of the lesson. If we are talking about street dancing, then decent results can be achieved, as a rule, after a couple of years of regular classes. Of course, a lot depends on the teacher and on your abilities, but on average, in the second year you will no longer recognize yourself compared to the previous year, and in the third you will dance very decently, if only that’s what you want. The same can be applied to any activity at the amateur level - if such an important condition as regularity is met, the results will appear fairly quickly.

In the case of serious choreography, ballet and professional activities in general, prepare for the fact that it will take years and there will never be a limit to perfection. Although the first results will also appear in the second or third year of study.

— How often do you need to dance to get results?

Regularity of any exercise is very important! It is clear that the more training, the better. But what is the optimal schedule under which results will be achieved and you or your child will really develop and learn to dance? We'll talk about this below.

So, at a minimum, classes should be held twice a week for one astronomical hour. Moreover, it must be borne in mind that the break between them should not exceed three days, otherwise all the material studied will be forgotten.

If you have the opportunity to study three times a week for an hour and a half, this is very, very good. Such activities will help you keep yourself in constant tone, and this tone is extremely important in order to grow in what you love.

And, of course, the more activities, the better. If, with a schedule of twice a week for an hour, you will get a certain stable, but small, result, then by studying every day for two or three hours, for example, you will almost certainly soon achieve great dance success.

It must be kept in mind, however, that regular exercise in the gym does not at all negate the desirability of studying at home. If, say, your child goes to a children's dance, then at home it is quite possible to dance with him a little, ask him to repeat what was learned in the lesson. Well, if you do it yourself, then home exercises, practicing various movements, stretching will become an integral part and even the key to progress.

— What are dances for, what do they develop? What medical contraindications are there for dancing?

When coming to a dance or bringing your child to a dance school, it is very important to understand whether the classes will be beneficial. In addition, if you know what physical and mental qualities and motor skills are developed by certain dance styles, this will undoubtedly help you make the right choice.

Let's start with the choreography. Classes in classical and modern choreography, ballet, and ballroom dancing help to form a muscle corset and correct posture. In addition, great attention is paid to stretching. Therefore, if you want to be slim and do the splits easily, welcome! However, you need to keep in mind that the same stretch has certain nuances. For example, if you or your child have long ligaments by nature, then it makes sense not to stretch, but to do muscle strengthening exercises and do physical therapy at the same time.

As for street dancing, namely hip-hop, locking, popping and other similar dance styles, their undoubted advantage is that they teach you to relax and control your body, relieve muscle tension, improve coordination and help you learn a sense of rhythm. It is no secret that many diseases, in particular diseases of the spine, are associated with the presence of muscle tension in various parts of the body. These clamps are formed very often under the influence of psychological factors. For example, if you pay attention to the cervical spine, to the shoulders, then with a high degree of probability you will notice that your shoulders seem to be slightly raised, and you were not aware of this before. This is one of the typical muscle clamps, which is a reaction, among other things, to everyday stress - think of a cat or dog that bristles in case of danger. Even though we are not aware of this clamp, it keeps the neck muscles in constant tension, spasms them, and it is the neck and cervical spine that contain the arteries responsible for the blood supply to the brain. This is why it is so important to learn to relax, release muscle tension in your own body and, thus, help yourself relieve physical stress. Street dancing is an indispensable assistant in this regard, because the technique of performing the same hip-hop requires control over the body and a certain tone, associated, among other things, with muscle relaxation.

If we talk about practicing such a physically demanding activity as breakdancing, then a contraindication may be diseases in which it is undesirable, say, to lift weights. However, of course, it is better to check everything with a doctor. At the same time, this style is an excellent, if not the best, way to strengthen the body, muscles, develop flexibility and endurance. Probably, only artistic gymnastics can compete with him in this, but breakdancing is also a dance, and dancing is always more interesting! Therefore, if you want your child to grow up strong and strong, don’t be afraid to sign him up for a break.

Summarizing the above, we can say that the physical and other benefits of dancing are always obvious. Although it also makes sense to first consult with a doctor you know about contraindications. But in the overwhelming majority of cases, even the presence of any diseases is never a factor preventing dancing. You just need to study wisely, carefully and under the guidance of a competent teacher.

— What to do if it seems like nothing is working out?

Many people who have been dancing for a while begin to wonder how well they dance. Often these thoughts come several years after the start of classes and, sometimes, force someone to quit classes, because, in their opinion, nothing is working out for them. Let's look at a few key points to dispel this myth.

Firstly, in dancing, as in any other activity, you need to have patience. No one ever becomes a champion right after the first lesson. The main thing is to practice regularly, persistently and enjoy the process itself. Then the result will not be long in coming.

Secondly, assessing our own results is always subjective and depends on who we compare ourselves with. Let’s say, before I started taking modern dances, it seemed to me that some of the guys at the disco danced very well, but I couldn’t do anything. But very soon I outgrew them, and began to compare myself with the coach, and then with the champions, world celebrities, the best of the best. It’s good to look up to the stars, of course. But when evaluating yourself, look back and look at the entire path you have come. Is this really not the result?

Thirdly, there is another nuance that is not so obvious, but has a huge impact on self-esteem. Its essence is that in the process of training, especially over the years, the nature of the material studied and the skills acquired changes. Accordingly, the assessment system must change, but this often does not happen. A simple example is when a person just starts dancing, he learns the basic steps and movements. And, pretty soon, he already sees the result - here I didn’t know how to do anything, but here I am already dancing. This is cool. But years pass and this same person, continuing to study, asks himself: “The years go by, but I still dance the same.” And he concludes: “I probably haven’t achieved anything.” The mistake is that people do not always realize that if knowledge of the dance base comes at the beginning, then over the years the technique is honed and their own style, their own understanding of dance is developed.

So remember, if you continue to dance and give yourself and your heart to it, you will continue to develop and will do it better and better. Don’t give up what you started, because it’s not for nothing that they say that the one who walks can master the road. He who has perseverance and will will always become a winner!

Vladimir SHEREMETYEV, 2016

Any reprint of this material is permitted only with the knowledge and consent of the author. Making adjustments to the author's text, using excerpts, quotes without attribution and reference to the source are prohibited.

Archive 10/28/2015

Dancing is an art that cannot be mastered in one lifetime. The scope for development and self-realization is simply enormous. We often look at professional dancers and admire them. Because these people have approached perfection, they are in excellent shape and have excellent control of their body.

But what prevents an ordinary person from dancing and achieving mastery? There are now plenty of dance schools, clubs and studios not only in large cities, but also in small villages. But many, even with the dream of learning to dance beautifully, do not come to dance schools or give up training at the initial stage.

Statistics show the following:

Out of 1,000 people who are thinking about taking up dancing, about fifty will sign up for classes at dance schools or clubs.
Of these, about thirty will graduate from the beginner course.
Twenty people will advance to the intermediate level.
After a year of classes, only 10 people will remain.

It turns out that only one percent of those who want to study dance complete the first year of study. Let's try to figure out the reasons.

Anxiety

One of the main reasons for leaving a dance school or dance studio at the initial stage is the banal anxiety of a beginner. That is, an adult, coming to class, finds himself in an environment that is unusual for him. He feels like a child who knows nothing and has to learn everything. Respect at work and in the family, sports ranks, honors diplomas - all this suddenly ceases to matter. And although in reputable dance schools or clubs there are separate groups for beginners, many still feel out of place.

Anxiety is normal and inevitable. Therefore, it would be best to come to terms with it and understand that this is just a price that everyone, without exception, will have to pay in order to learn to dance well. In addition, the professionalism of the trainers, their approach to training beginners and their psychological attitude play a significant role.

To reduce the impact of anxiety as much as possible, beginners should talk to experienced dancers and coaches and ask them how they felt during this period. You need to understand that you are not alone.

Anxiety is most evident during competitions. Negative thoughts are spinning in the mind, such as “What if something doesn’t work out,” etc. That is why experienced coaches and teachers periodically hold intra-school competitions. This is done in order to accustom the dancers’ psyche to a competitive environment and rivalry. As a result, during serious championships, dancers feel more calm and confident.

Incorrect time management

Many who want to start dancing forget that they need to set aside time for it. And as you gain experience, you will have to spend more time. Very often, a person comes to a dance school and signs up for classes, but does not calculate his time and opportunities.

If the thought often arises: “I won’t go to training today because I don’t have time, I’ll go next week,” then most likely you will soon stop training altogether! A prerequisite for successful training is to accustom yourself to regularity.

Regular training is the key to success not only in dance, but also in any other sport. Experienced athletes, and especially when preparing for serious competitions, train every day (or even 2 times a day). Therefore, if you want to achieve results in dancing, regular training is a must.

How to organize your time correctly? It is necessary at all costs to attend training at the initial stage. A month or two will pass, and you will, as they say, “get into a rut.” Your rhythm of life will automatically adjust to your training and activities. Of course, there will be absences, but only due to circumstances that simply cannot be postponed.

A small amount of training

Research suggests that movements and skills that are not practiced regularly are bound to be forgotten. New material must be constantly repeated in order to develop muscle “automatism” (when the body itself remembers the movements, without the participation of thinking).

That is why, with large gaps in training, disappointment sets in, since progress stands still. An experienced trainer himself will definitely recommend you the minimum acceptable training plan at the initial stage. And when skill reaches a certain level, you should reconsider it in the direction of increasing the number of classes.

Men's preferences

Many men believe that dancing is not for them. After all, there are much more “masculine” activities: bodybuilding, martial arts, parachuting, diving, motorcycles, etc. And dancing comes in last place among them.

However, this is not the case. Physical activity during dancing can significantly exceed that given in other, more “masculine” sports. Psychological preparation is also excellent. In addition, a man who knows how to dance well always attracts the attention of the fair sex.

Lack of desire

Lack of motivation is one of the most common reasons for leaving dance school. As a rule, lack of desire is a consequence of the fact that a person sets himself impossible tasks and does not get results. After all, in reality, dancing is hard work for many years. However, many associate them simply with a pleasant pastime.

Faced with the “harsh” reality, newcomers simply cannot stand it and leave. Quite often it can also be the fault of the teacher, who immediately begins to work the beginners to the fullest extent.

Defectors

Many beginning dancers, in the pursuit of perfection, often change dance schools. Sometimes this is justified, but often not. And the statistics here are inexorable: almost fifty percent of those who changed schools quit training in the near future. Why this is so is unknown.

Changing a dance school must be justified. And not just the banal one: “I want something new.” After all, a change of environment, coach and team may not be at all desirable for a beginning dancer.

Conclusion

To remain in the top ten out of a thousand who want to study is a real achievement!

Maybe later you will become the one who devotes most of his time to dancing, the one who trains every day and achieves high professionalism.

Where to find information

A portal has been created especially for those who have decided to start practicing and want to get maximum information about dance styles, dance schools, cost of classes, etc.

Regular dancing will make your body slimmer. During training, from 200 to 800 kcal are burned per hour - no worse than during fitness classes.
You can strengthen the respiratory organs and heart, increase the body's endurance, and cleanse blood vessels of cholesterol.
and your gait is something you can be proud of after regular exercise. Dancing will help you learn to hold your back correctly.
You will develop excellent coordination, reaction speed and body flexibility.
You will become sociable and confident.
Learn not to be ashamed of your own body and move beautifully to the music.
You will have the opportunity to express yourself. In dance, a person is completely liberated, which contributes to psycho-emotional relief.
You are guaranteed a great mood. After the gym or fitness training, many people feel tired, but after dancing, on the contrary, they feel a surge of strength and vigor.

Which direction to choose

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Hip-hop is a cheerful, playful and very energy-intensive youth dance genre. You will be able to express your emotions, experiences or protest, and relax thanks to the movements that the body itself prompts. This is drive and adrenaline, the spirit of competition and leadership. The rules and restrictions are blurred here, but at the same time a bright, clear style is felt.

This direction is characterized by downward movements, relaxed bent knees and a low-slung body. High jumps are replaced by sliding along the floor, there is a quick unexpected transition from wavy and slow movements to sharp and clear ones. The dancer should appear completely relaxed and the dance should appear free-flowing.

Who is it suitable for?

Anyone who is young or feels young, confident and daring. Hip-hop can be a healthy hobby for your child. For children and adolescents, it will help strengthen the musculoskeletal system, correct slight stoop and form a proportional figure. Moreover, this dance direction fosters strong-willed qualities and determination, and helps to show individuality.

According to the study Kids inactive most of the time during dance classes, hip-hop is the most useful dance style for a child: 57% of the duration of the workout a person is in motion. Scientists recognized flamenco as the least active: in this case, children were active only 14% of the time.

Peculiarities

The main distinguishing feature: hip-hop is danced not to the rhythm of the melody, but to the beat, which must be recognized and clearly captured in the musical composition.
This is not just a dance, but a way of self-expression and a lifestyle. Hip-hop fans often wear clothes that emphasize their freedom: wide pants, sneakers, baseball caps, hoodies.
Hip-hop is always open to experimentation and improvisation. Character plays an important role in this direction, namely confidence, self-affirmation, a certain stubbornness and perseverance. This type of dance will help you become more courageous, psychologically liberated and open in communication.
This dance perfectly works the muscles of the legs, arms and shoulder girdle, and improves fine motor skills.

Contraindications

Hip-hop can be considered a set, so the contraindications are standard, as for regular training. People who have problems with their knee joints should be especially careful about such activities, as they place a lot of stress on them.

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The workouts combine aerobic exercise with elements of seductive dance. Each lesson includes a warm-up, including stretching, and learning dance moves. The muscles of the legs and arms, hips and buttocks, abdomen, back and chest receive an excellent workout.

Beginners will have to master the basic elements: waves with the body and arms, circular movements with the hips and chest, arches in the back while standing, sitting and lying on the floor. As you progress, the training includes complicated dance sequences with elements of acrobatics (splits, flips, stands).

Who is it suitable for?

This type of dance is created for all girls and women, regardless of their physical shape, appearance and age. If you not only strive for a beautiful figure and graceful gait, but also want to learn to love yourself, attract and seduce the opposite sex, then strip plastic surgery is ideal for you.

Peculiarities

Strip plastic will help you overcome complexes more easily, will give you the opportunity to see your body and its advantages in a new way, as well as correct or hide shortcomings. After regular exercise, you will not only look better, but also feel more confident and attractive.
When teaching this style, much attention is paid to posture and movement, without which high-quality performance of dance elements is impossible.
The program also includes a fashion show. A few weeks will pass, and you will begin to move smoothly and relaxed, and your gait will become easy.
Another advantage is that many movements are done with a bend in the lower back. Usually these muscles are poorly developed due to a sedentary lifestyle. This type of dance will be an excellent prevention of diseases such as scoliosis and osteochondrosis.
During such training, transformation occurs, you will be able to reveal your sensuality and tell about secret desires, try on different roles - from a modest housewife to a vamp. You will master the art of attracting men and learn how to arouse their interest.

Contraindications

Diseases of the respiratory system, heart, blood vessels and joints can become an obstacle to exercise. With osteochondrosis, there is a limitation: you cannot twist the spine too much. At the same time, strengthening the back and abdominal muscles, stretching the muscles of the hips, shoulder girdle and pelvis will help significantly alleviate the symptoms of the disease.

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This is one of the sexiest trends that helps prolong a woman’s youth and attractiveness. Mandatory components of oriental dances are blows (sharp movements of the hips) and vibration combined with smooth waves, circles, and figure eights. Coordination of movements is very important. The dance drawing should look holistic, capturing all the attention of the viewer.

Who is it suitable for?

Ideal for mature women. Unlike jogging or aerobics, belly dancing is a gentle form of physical activity. This means you can perform movements without putting undue stress on your knees, legs, and feet.

Peculiarities

You can start mastering the eastern direction even if you are in poor physical shape: belly dancing will independently prepare your body for the necessary stress.
This type of activity helps to shape a feminine figure. Since the movements of the hips in this dance are quite complex in terms of coordination, those muscles are worked out that are difficult to use during regular exercises. Such a fPhysical exercise promotes healthy labor and makes labor easier.
After 2-3 months of belly dancing, women feel better with gynecological diseases. Blood circulation improves, especially in the pelvic organs, inflammation of the appendages goes away, and menstrual pain is forgotten.
By practicing only oriental dances, you cannot create a perfect figure, since this is a fairly similar load. Not all muscle groups are involved here, for example, the back of the thigh, gluteal muscle, and triceps practically do not work.

Contraindications

Latin American dances (salsa, bachata, cha-cha-cha, mamba, rumba)

Latin American dances are known for their excitement, impulsiveness and positivity. The classes consist of three parts:

Warm-up - semicircular rotations of the head, hips, circular movements of the shoulders, etc.
The main part is learning the movements and repeating them many times.
Cool down - usually static stretching exercises and dance movements at a slow pace.

Who are they suitable for?

This type of training is ideal for energetic and emotional people. It embodies the fiery rhythm and clarity of movements. Latin American dancing is also a great way to warm up a couple's relationship or make new acquaintances.

Peculiarities

The main feature of such dances is the constant work of the hip muscles with a fixed position of the back and a springy step. Therefore, the main load falls on the muscles of the shoulders, lower back and legs. This type of dance also helps improve heart rate.
One of the important features is that you won’t even notice the load on the body as a whole. The maximum you will feel is slight pleasant fatigue. This is due to the proportionality of the load on the entire body.
By actively practicing Latin American dancing, you can not only lose weight, but also pump up your thighs, if you are inclined to do so.

Contraindications

If you have cardiovascular diseases or problems with the musculoskeletal system, such dances are contraindicated.

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One of the most popular workouts for weight loss. It has spread to more than 180 countries. This fitness program combines elements of hip-hop, salsa, samba, merengue, mambo, flamenco and belly dancing. Its goal is to work the maximum number of muscles without exhausting you with repeated repetitions of trivial exercises.

The direction was invented by Colombian Alberto Perez in the late 90s. He was a professional choreographer and dedicated his entire life to teaching others Latin dance. Later, Zumba became the basis for the training of many stars (Shakira, Beyoncé, Britney Spears).

Who is it suitable for?

Zumba does not tolerate restrictions; it can be practiced by people of any age, men and women with any abilities and skills. All choreographic movements are simple and clear.

Peculiarities

The workout is like a party where everyone dances using simple combinations of movements.
To start practicing, you don't need any special physical training, so Zumba is great for beginners.
The dance program is very varied, which means you won’t get bored.
The emphasis in training is on the lower body, which allows you to tighten your muscles and get rid of cellulite.

Contraindications

Categorical contraindications are hernia of the lumbar spine, displacement of the vertebrae, diseases of the bones, ligaments, joints, thrombosis, problems with the heart muscle, high blood pressure, post-traumatic period, pregnancy at any stage.

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Contempo is a combination of dance techniques from Western (classical dance, modern jazz) and Eastern (qigong, tai chi, yoga) art of movement.

The basic exercises are constructed by analogy with classical and modern ones: from simple to more complex. The class includes exercises on the ground (floor work), relaxation techniques, and stretching.

Who is it suitable for?

For amateur and professional dancers. The height, weight, and build of a person are not important here. Contempo is suitable for you if you want not only to maintain good shape and move beautifully, but also to get to know yourself.

Peculiarities

Globally, contemporary dance differs from other dance styles in its inward orientation, interest in the quality of the moving body, its relationship with space, time, and partner. The dancer accumulates energy, thoughts, emotions within himself, and then gives them to the viewer.
The peculiarity of the dance also lies in the alternation of muscle tension and relaxation, falling and rising, sudden stops (often on straight legs), and balancing.
Breathing during contempo should be measured, as if it continues to move. Martial arts brought this requirement into dance.
Contempo gravitates more towards the floor, while emphasizing the lightness and expressiveness of movements. Usually danced barefoot.

Contraindications

Standard limits for physical activity. Moreover, this type of dance is quite difficult and exhausting, and you need to be in excellent psychological shape for training. Prolonged stretching and practicing jumping can exhaust a person with a fine mental organization and bring him into a state.

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This is a rather complex set of movements, during which you need to keep your whole body tense. Training is often exhausting, with a fairly heavy load. Before starting, a 15-minute warm-up is required to warm up the main muscle groups, after which the basic elements of dance begin to be practiced. To perform this style, not only the dancer’s movements are important, but also his appearance, especially shoes. The most famous type of Celtic dance that everyone knows about is step.

Who are they suitable for?

Patient people who are attracted by the theme of social dancing. This style is characterized by complex combinations, the elements of which will have to be learned not only in class, but also at home (perhaps even mentally).

Peculiarities

You'll have to get used to a rather unusual position. The dance is performed on half toes (the dancer raises his heels and stands on his toes), the upper body is motionless, and the arms are always lowered. The basic rule is fast footwork.
This is a group dance, so you have to, on the one hand, give up all liberties, and on the other, develop a sense of partnership when you feel like one with other people. Psychologists assure that such training is especially useful for those who have difficulty joining a team or are afraid of communication.
The music has a clear rhythm and requires the same precise steps. It is important to hit both the note and the foot.
Another interesting feature is that it is better not to practice any other dances before starting training. Classical choreographic preparation often gets in the way. For example, in ballet the feet and hips are strongly turned to the sides. Here, on the contrary, the legs are always crossed. And you should completely forget about your hands.
The Celtic dance system is extremely interesting because it heals the spine without missing a single section, no worse than a real doctor. The habit of keeping your back straight will form after several weeks of regular exercise.
Constant training will form ideal calf muscles. Although any type of dance has a positive effect on the leg muscles, Celtic dance gets a well-deserved gold medal.
This type of activity does not put any strain on the arms, so if necessary (or if desired), you need to work this area separately.

Contraindications

Large impact loads (jumps) do not allow those who have problems with the heart, blood vessels, spine, etc. to practice Celtic dancing. Progressive varicose veins are also a contraindication.

We looked at several main dance directions from which you can begin to get acquainted with the world of dance. Take a few classes and you'll see what's right for you. When choosing, consider your age, the difficulty of training, your physical condition and goals.