5 Dance Styles That Can Also Double As Exercise

Find yourself tapping your foot to the latest releases? Or enjoy singing and dancing in the shower? If this is something you and your partner share in common, we have an idea for you two to get the two of you grooving your way to good health.

What dancing can do for your health and wellness?

We all know that dance is an excellent form of exercise. Here's how dance benefits different aspects of your health:

1. Good for your heart and lungs

Dance is essentially a form of aerobic exercise. There's no surprise that it has tremendous benefits for your heart. Dancing can improve your heart rate and BMI. It is also good for weight loss, which further benefits your heart. Not just this, dancing can also boost your cardiorespiratory fitness. If you're regular at it, you can have a healthier heart and healthier lungs. So if you and your partner are looking for a good cardio workout after those cakes and chocolates, dance is a good way to go!

2. Improves balance and strength

Dance performance requires not only lower extremity muscle strength and endurance, but also sufficient core stabilization during dynamic dance movements. One can improve their lower body muscle endurance, strength and flexibility, physical reaction time, agility, and gait through dancing.

3. Boosts mental functioning

Whether you're learning a new dance routine or choreographing one of your own, you know that dancing requires awareness and coordination of your movements. One has to learn new movements, pay attention to follow instructions, execute complex movement patterns, and express emotions and social interactions. All of this can boost your cognitive performance. Research suggests that dance intervention, as a cognitive stimulus, can stimulate different neural structures to improve various cognitive domains.

4. Social and spiritual wealth

Do you know what's more fun than dancing alone? Dancing with your partner! Or better yet, with a group of friends! Dancing is a popular social activity and engaging in it can reduce your loneliness and improve your mood. Dance involves the culturally mediated body, emotion, and mind. It provides a way to escape your stress and emote your feelings through actions and expressions. There is something truly divine about dancing that can help you in your mental and spiritual healing.

What dancing can do for your relationship?

Heard of the phrase-it takes two to tango? Well, this is particularly true if you and your partner engage in an intimate dance form. It is believed that couples who enjoy dancing together can develop better rapport, gain greater enjoyment and a sense of achievement. Dance is a game of coordination and trust. It can strengthen your communication and make you a stronger team. Besides, dancing together is a great way emotionally and intimately connect with your partner. With this background, we're sure you're ready to prepare a dance for Valentine's day celebration!

5 dance styles you can try with your partner

Now that we know that dance can give a boost to both, your health and your relationship, here are some dance forms you could try out with your partner to give your relationship an additional twist!

1. Rumba

Rumba is a Latin dance form with its roots in Africa and found its way to Cuba. Rumba is popularly known as the "dance of love" because of its sensual movements and the music it is danced to. Rumba is like a visualization of a story where you can express your feelings and emotions through your steps and movements.

2. Waltz

The waltz is one of the most popular forms of ballroom dancing worldwide. The characteristic closed hold positions and the close interaction between the dancers make it a delicate and intimate form of dance. It is also a dance based on trust, instinct, and timing. A gentleman leading dances just a fraction of a second ahead of the lady and most of the movements are reactive, i.e. when the gentleman steps forward, the lady instinctively takes a step back.

3. Tango

Born in Bueno Aires, Tango is a dance filled with striking foot action and dramatic snapping turns of the head. It has its highs and lows and ups and downs. The dance of Tango is just as erratic as love.

4. Swing

The dance of Swing is demonstrated with quick turns, rock steps, and an energetic bounce type of leg and hip action. It is an ideal fit for young and enthusiastic couples as it is full of energy and life.

5. Any dance in your kitchen

If none of this feels like your cup of tea, then don't worry. You can put on your partner's favourite jam and have a spontaneous dance performance in the kitchen! Nobody cares if you mess up the steps or miss a beat. As long as the two of you have fun, no one is complaining. (P.S: Try not to step on each other's toes nevertheless!)

Doesn't matter if you have two left feet. As long as you're moving and having fun, it's more than enough. Ask your partner out for a dance, and see the calories burn!