Wear professionally fitted shoes appropriate to your style of dance.Don’t push yourself too far or too fast, especially if you are a beginner.Make sure you rest between dance sessions.Drink plenty of water before, during and after dancing.Do warm-up stretches or activities before you begin a dance session.Wear layers of clothing that you can take off as your body warms up.See your doctor for a check-up if you have a medical condition, are overweight, are over 40 years of age or are unfit.If you are thinking of taking up dancing, suggestions include: Will I enjoy competitions, or do I want to dance just for fun?.Do I want to join a group, or have private lessons?.Do I want to dance with a partner, or on my own?.Do I prefer fast dancing or slow dancing?.Am I trying to improve my flexibility and coordination?.Do I want to dance to improve my fitness?.When choosing a dance style, ask yourself questions such as: The name originates from the tapping sounds made when the small metal plates on the dancer’s shoes touch the ground Tap dancing – focuses on timing and beats.Square-dancing – a type of folk dancing where four couples dance in a square pattern, moving around each other and changing partners.Salsa – involving a mixture of Caribbean, Latin American and African influences, salsa is usually a partner dance and emphasises rhythms and sensuality.It involves sensual dancing with a vertical pole, and requires muscle endurance, coordination, and upper- and lower-body strength. Pole dancing – has become increasingly popular as a form of exercise.Jazz – a high-energy dance style involving kicks, leaps and turns to the beat of the music.Hip-hop – performed mostly to hip-hop music, this urban dance style can involve breaking, popping, locking and freestyling.Belly dancing – originating in the Middle East, this dance style is a fun way to exercise.Ballroom dancing – this involves a number of partner-dancing styles such as the waltz, swing, foxtrot, rumba and tango.Ballet – mostly performed to classical music, this dance style focuses on strength, technique and flexibility.There are many styles of dance to choose from, each with its own attractions. To get started, simply choose a style you enjoy, or would like to try, look in the Yellow Pages or online for dance schools in your local area and join a class. For example, tap dancing will involve buying tap shoes, whereas ballet will need ballet slippers and ballet clothing. The gear you need for dancing will depend on the style of dancing you choose. It doesn’t matter whether it is cold or raining, as dancing is usually done indoors. It can be a great recreational and sporting choice, because anyone of any age can take part. Dancing has become such a popular way to be active and keep fit, that most fitness clubs now offer dance classes in their group exercise programs.ĭancing can be done both competitively and socially. There are lots of different places where you can enjoy dancing, for example, at dance schools, social venues, community halls and in your own home. You can dance in a group, with a partner, or on your own. greater self-confidence and self-esteem.
improved general and psychological wellbeing.