Dancing can be therapeutic…. There are soooo many types of dances too, to gratify every taste. But as a feminine-spirited girl, only the most sensual dances appeal to me. The Ancient Eastern Dances are the only ones that now appeal to me, but it wasn’t always that way.

I grew up dancing in church. And I mean literally, not figuratively! When I was a young girl, my family took me to a church and as soon as the drums started pounding for the church band, my mother had to grab me to hold me still; I had jumped out the pew in front of everybody and started moving my body to the beat. Her hands were clasped around my waist and stomach, but I didn’t care; I was still dancing.

Here’s a picture of my mom and I, around the time that occurred:

         

Since then, I learned how to dance jazz, hip hop, pop n lock, wave, house, and step. Exactly 18 years ago, I took my first belly dance class. That lasted for three months, because it started to get too expensive at the time, but in that little time I soared.

Everything changed from that moment on. I never forgot about belly dancing and the exotic rhythms I heard. Shortly after, I began to fantasize about getting a group together and performing. That’s when I knew it penetrated my DNA. I started teaching myself the art by learning from great classic dancers. Since then I’ve performed & taught privately. Today, I am still studying to improve this beautiful art-form.

Doing research for my current class, I decided to share with you all the benefits that dancing can do for you. Especially now, since I recently became an expressive arts consultant.  For those that don’t know what that is: expressive arts is the practice of using the process of making art, not for the sake of the end result (a creation), but to help people transform, change, and improve their lives as they create. If you are interested in learning more click here.

Here’s the results of my findings~

26 Ways Dancing can be Therapeutic:

1. relieves stress
2. decreases anxiety
3. boosts self-esteem
4. enhances mobility
5. reduces depression
6. improves flexibility
7. increases your energy
8. increases quality of life
9. promotes finer memory
10. gives you better balance
11. increases physical fitness
12. develops gross motor skills
13. gives one the ability to cope
14. makes your heart healthier
15. benefits lasts for a long time
16. sharpens muscle coordination
17. supports satisfying body image
18. having fun while making friends
19. a vehicle for expressing emotions
20. encourages creativity and imagination
21. gives an opportunity for social interaction
22. boosts and improves self-confidence & esteem 
23. burns 200-350 calories an hour for weight control
24. like other athletics, it’s an accepted form of exercise
25. becomes a ritual or habit, more than any other type of exercise
26. increases well-being, affecting your mood in a good or positive way

Do you practice some form of dance as exercise or profession? If so what type and how long have you been doing it? If you’re a dancer, you might enjoy my dance quotes!