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Have you always wanted to learn how to dance and have just not gotten around to it?

Perhaps you have even been inspired by the television programme, Strictly Come Dancing, but think that you have no rhythm, that you are too shy, or don’t have the body of a dancer.

Well now is the time to put aside your excuses, fears, and preconceptions, because even if you are an absolute beginner, there are many benefits of dance. In fact, we have 15 good reasons why you should find a private tutor or join a dance studio and learn to dance today.

1. Dancing is Fun

A dance class, dance workout or good old line dancing session is an excellent way to spend leisure time and have fun. Whether it’s African dance, hip hop dance, belly dance or the Waltz, and whether you are taking beginner or advanced dance lessons, you would have to try really hard not to have fun.

2. Dance and De-stress 

Getting your heart rate up a bit is an excellent way to de-stress, and a good dance workout is absolutely no exception! By deciding to learn to dance, you are guaranteed to increase your wellbeing and release those ‘feel-good’ hormones, endorphins. And those are just some of the benefits of dance.

 “When you dance, you can enjoy the luxury of being you.” – Paulo Coelho

If the thought of having to dance at a formal occasion, like your wedding for instance, actually causes you to feel stress, did you know that many couples learn how to dance to their favourite song together, especially for their big day?

Having a private tutor to help you choreograph a few moves will not only eliminate your stress but actually make it enjoyable too. Be sure to compare dance teachers' rates, and choose the most suitable one that you can afford.

3. Get Fit with a Dance Workout

If you are looking to get into shape or stay fit, then a dance workout is one of the best forms of cardiovascular exercise available.

Not only will the upbeat music keep you going through the tiring bits, but in a dance workout, you’ll be focused on your technique and having a lot of fun too.  And as you practise, not only will it become more enjoyable, but your fitness level will increase.

Regardless of age or fitness level, you could choose to start with Zumba and move on to a more rigorous dance workout as you progress, or you could start with tap dance, ballet, or ballroom dance and really learn to dance that style of dance.  

4. Learn to Dance and Improve your Figure

It’s a well-known fact that dancers are admired for their physique. This is probably because the benefits of dance include burning great amounts of calories and creating lean, toned muscles and elegant posture.

Perhaps you would like to lose weight, get in shape or simply improve your posture and learn to move more gracefully? All this is possible when you learn how to dance and it can even be done in the privacy of your own home.

dance group
Taking a dance class is the perfect way to meet like-minded people.⎢Source: Unsplash

Did you know that in South Africa, you could find a dance tutor on an online platform like Superprof?

5. Learn to Dance for Flexibility

Did you know that a dance workout impacts almost every muscle and joint? In fact, flexibility is one of the benefits of dance, particularly ballet. With all dance, there will be exercises that require stretching that will increase your flexibility over time and, while you might not see changes overnight, with some practise you will be amazed at the results.

6. Dance and Love Go Hand in Hand

There’s something about dim lighting and music that spells romance. So if you’re single and hoping to meet that special someone, make sure that you say yes to as many social occasions, weddings and nightclub outings as possible.

Sign up for a regular dance workout and get into shape, or learn how to dance with a private tutor, these are benefits of dance that will not only increase your confidence but guarantee you have fun out there too.

7. Meet New People Through Dancing

A shared interest, especially when it is doing something fun, is the perfect way to meet new people. A dance workout or line dancing group for instance immediately creates a friendly atmosphere.

Furthermore, so many types of dance require that you have a partner, so if you want to learn how to dance and meet new people consider signing up for ballroom dancing, Chacha, Waltz or Salsa dance lessons. Not only will the lesson itself be social, but you could always share a drink or coffee afterward too.

8. Dancing Can Spice Up a Relationship

Just think about some of those beautifully choreographed ‘first dances’ at a wedding reception. So many couples start out their married life with synchronicity and passion, only to have it wane as the daily stresses of life diminish the spice of a relationship.

So what better way to reignite the passion than to sign up for dance classes that will not only help you to mutually de-stress and keep you in shape, but guarantee fun and laughter too through a shared goal.

Depending on your personalities and relationship, there are so many options: The Waltz; Tango; Salsa; Line Dancing or the Samba - choose one that works for you.

couple dancing wedding dance
Many couples take dance lessons in order to creating a lasting impression with their 'first dance'.⎢Source: Unsplash

Bringing back the intimacy is definitely one of the benefits of dance that every relationship could use.

9. Dance to Improve Your Self-Confidence

Actually, most people could use a bit more self-confidence, so whether you are an introvert and painfully shy, or just want to add some extra pizazz to your personality, a great way to do this is to learn to dance and learn to dance well!

As you improve and achieve small goals one step at a time, you will see how it quickly begins to impact your daily life, positivity and confidence.

Signing up at a dance studio or finding a private tutor online, on a platform like Superprof, is your first step to more self-confidence. And the great thing about private tutors, is that many of them offer their first lesson for free, so that you can find out if you are compatible. It’s a win-win.

10. Dance to Do a Digital Detox

These days, in the digital-information-era, people are becoming more and more aware of their screen time and overuse of it.

How many hours a day do you spend scrolling mindlessly on your phone through social media channels or glued to the television? This is time that you could be disconnecting from stimuli that tend to add to our stress and instead, immerse yourself in a new skill. You guessed it – learn how to dance!

11. Learn to Dance and Stay Young

The benefits of dance are truly endless not only physically, but emotionally and mentally too.

By reducing anxiety and staying in shape, a dance workout will keep you young. Not only that,  but several studies have shown that dancing can reduce risks of dementia by up to 76% and that dancing the tango can even alleviate some of the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s diseases by improving the mind-body connection.

12. Dance to Communicate

The amazing thing about body language is that it is universal, and dancing, is surely one of the most beautiful and fluid expressions of this. Notice someone on a dance floor who has their eyes closed, they are expressing and externalising their emotions in a healthy way.

One does not need to be a professional dancer to experience the emotional benefits of dance. Dancing is a form of art that allows everyone to find expression the same way that music, photography or painting can. Just feel the music and move.

13. Learn a Dance Routine and Improve Your Memory

We’ve already mentioned the amazing mind-body connection rewards for those who decide to learn to dance. The coordination and concentration required to learn new steps and memorise a routine are certainly benefits of dance. Not only will this stimulate and improve memory, but it also provides an extraordinary escape from the worries in a clutter-filled mind.

14. Dance and Stimulate Your Creativity

Expressing and stimulating our creativity is a wonderful part of the human experience – and just like other art forms, dancing is creative.

ballet rehearsal
Dance academies are the place to be for children with natural talent and a passion for dance.⎢Source: Unsplash

Once you have some confidence and knowledge of the basics, whether it’s line dancing, contemporary dance or hip hop, you will naturally begin to improvise in order to bring in your own flair, creativity, and expression to your dance.

This can be so satisfying and will certainly double the benefits of dance already mentioned in this article.

15. Learn How to Dance Professionally

Some people are just born with an incredible natural talent for dancing. If this is you, you have the option of becoming a professional dancer. And while the job requires much dedication, passion, and hard work, it can also bring fame and a way of making a living through something you love.

Plotting a dancing career is best begun from an early age.

Often parents identify this talent in their children and make sure that they enrol them in reputable dance studios like Tuks Dance at the University of Pretoria that takes students from 16, or with experienced private tutors from much younger.

As young dancers advance through the dance levels, they will have the opportunity of eventually being accepted at prestigious dance schools like the Centre for Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies at the University of Cape Town.

Finally, whatever your age or dance goals, whether it’s ballet from age three or line dancing well into old age, the benefits are for everyone.

You can’t lose!

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Niki

Niki is a content writer from Cape Town, South Africa, who is passionate about words, strategic communication and using words to help create and maintain brand personas. Niki has a PR and marketing background, but her happiest place is when she is bringing a story to life on a page.