Dancing

Dance is a type of art that involves movement of the body, often to the rhythm of music. It is performed in many cultures as a form of emotional expression, social interaction, or exercise. The number of people taking part in dance is increasing worldwide. People are choosing to dance as a way to be more physically active, develop creative skills, and socialize within local communities. Dance is also a great creative outlet for individuals. If sports do not intrigue you, dance offers physical activity that has just as many health benefits as any sport.

Some of the health benefits to dancing include the following:

• Improved condition of your heart and lungs
• Increased muscular strength, endurance, and motor development
• Increased aerobic fitness
• Improved muscle tone and strength
• Weight management
• Stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis
• Better coordination, agility, and flexibility
• Improved balance and spatial awareness
• Increased physical confidence
• Improved mental functioning
• Improved general and psychological well-being
• Greater self-confidence and self-esteem

In addition to being an art form and a way to exercise, dancing can also be a lot of fun!

Types of Dance

Dancing to stay physically fit has become so popular that many fitness centers now offer exercise classes based on certain types of dance, such as ballroom, hip-hop, and ballet. Each dance form is characterized by specific movements. In this interactivity, you will explore several types of dance. Click the player button to begin.

View a printable version of this interactivity.

For some individuals, dance is a way of life and plays an important role in their identity formation. Rashidi Omari is an example of one of these individuals. He is a performance artist, writer, and educator who teaches hip-hop dance to students at a violence prevention and arts education center in Oakland, California. Learn more about hip-hop dance and what it means to him and his students by watching the video Rashidi Omari: Breakdancing and Beatboxing from eMediaVASM.

 

Dancing Review

Now that you have learned about the health benefits of dancing and the various types of dance, check your knowledge by completing this non-graded interactivity. Click the player button to get started.