Dancing Tips: Four Steps to Take Before You Start Dancing These dancing tips will help get you in shape for dancing By Sharon OBrien There is nothing more notable in Socrates than that he found time, when he was an old man, to learn music and dancing, and thought it time well spent. - Michel de Montaigne Dancing is one of the best things you can do for exercise. Its also good for your heart, mind and soul. Medical research has shown that people who dance regularly can improve their hearth health, breathing, and quality of life more than those who exercise by riding a bicycle or walking on a treadmill. Dancing will also improve your balance and reduce stress. And because it uses more muscle groups than most forms of exercise, dancing also provides better overall toning. On top of all that, dancing is fun. Countless world-class thinkers—from poets to philosophers—have commented on the power, beauty and value of dancing. There are short-cuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them, said Austrian writer Vicki Baum. To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak, according to an ancient saying of the Hopi tribe. Poet and critic Edwin Denby observed: There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good. And philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said: We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once. You get the idea. Dancing Tips: Get Ready to Dance If it has been awhile since you last went dancing, or youre someone who only dances on special occasions such as weddings or reunions, here are a few simple dancing tips you can follow to make sure you come home smiling, not limping, after you trip the light fantastic. Know Your Body -- As you age, you lose fat under the ball of your foot (a key pivot point for dancing), so either wear shoes that come with extra cushioning or use gel or padded insoles. Flex Your Toes -- Practice picking up pencils, marbles or other small objects with your toes. That simple flexing exercise will help to stretch and strengthen your legs and feet. Drop Your Heels -- Stand on a step with just the balls of your feet. Hang onto the handrail or wall securely, and then slowly lower both your heels to stretch your legs and feet. Hold the position for 20 seconds, then repeat several times. Stretch in Place -- As you go through your day, take advantage of spare moments here and there to stretch by extending your leg and pointing your toes away from you and then back. Do this with both legs an equal number of times. Want More Dancing Tips? Get Yourself in Shape Perhaps the most important dancing tips is to keep yourself in good shape. Overall fitness will help you improve your dancing performance and help you enjoy dancing more. There are many other strength, stretching and balance exercises you can do for overall fitness that will also help you tone up and stay in shape for dancing. If youve shied away from dancing because it makes you self-conscious, try not to let that stop you. Dancing lifts the soul and opens the heart. We dance for ourselves, not to put on a show for others. Dancing brings its own joy, and we dance to find that short-cut to happiness that Vicki Baum was talking about. Take the advice of humorist Dave Barry, who said: Nobody cares if you cant dance well. Just get up and dance.
Posted on: Wed, 20 Nov 2013 17:01:45 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015