By Christian Warren Freed
We all know the world changed thanks to the pandemic, but not necessarily in groundbreaking ways for most of us, at least for a little while. Life took on a new meaning, offering new opportunities and showing us just how precious our time is on this big, floating rock in space.
For me, I never expected what my wife had in store for me and still, years later, I look back and question “did I really do that?” You see, somehow and somewhere she convinced me to strap on a pair of leather-soled shoes and follow her onto the dance floor.
After spending a lifetime in the army, I never thought I’d be open to a little ballroom dancing, but it turns out, despite having two left feet and feeling awkward every step of the way, I kind of enjoyed it. (I’ll never admit it though!)
The one thing I failed to consider as I was captain of the clown ship dancing my way through an empty studio was just how tired I would be after each hour-long lesson. Sweating and surprisingly happy, I decided to take a deeper look into just how much exercise I was getting and what, if any, health benefits might come from it.
We all know the virtues of clean living and exercise. One might say we are inundated with diets and health plans, from taking 10,000 steps a day to getting those discounted gym memberships at the start of the year to celebrate the whole “new year, new you” endeavor. Whatever your poison, there is no denying the mental and physical benefits you stand to gain from hitting the floor with your partner, and the fun you’ll have doing so.
People smarter than me will tell you ballroom dancing can be fun and highly engaging. Of course, it helps having the right partner and, if you’re like me, a little self-deprecating humor when the steps get a little too complicated. Learning the steps allows you to focus, whether you are attempting a waltz or basic box step. But not only is this type of dancing guaranteed to work up a sweat, it is great for people of all ages as it introduces a social aspect so many in today’s society are lacking.
The immediate benefit of any type of dancing is an improvement of your cardiovascular fitness level. Ballroom dancing is an excellent workout that will boost your endurance, heart health, and stamina. A healthy heart is more important now than ever before, given our sedentary lifestyles. Any trepidation you might have before starting will quickly flee once you find yourself gaining muscle strength and tone through the variety of moves and repetitions. (This really is a full-body workout at the end of the day.)
Along with endurance and stamina you’ll soon find yourself with increased flexibility and weight loss. This aerobic exercise will help you burn through calories and increase your metabolism to ensure proper weight management.
The list of health benefits goes on, but you get the picture. Doctors tell us repeatedly to get up and get moving if you want to stay healthy and stave off a host of diseases the older you get. Why not do that through ballroom dancing?
A second aspect of wellness that is under scrutiny these days is the mental one. We hear a lot about mental health, and rightfully so. The stresses of the day, from social to political, conspire to keep us down. By exercising those restrictions on the dance floor, you are bringing much needed relief to your mind.
Stress is the first to go. The headaches wash off and leave you feeling refreshed. Let’s face it, there is nothing like forgetting your worries, even if for a little while. Dancing also helps increase your cognitive functions. To avoid crushing your partner’s toes or falling down requires mental agility and concentration. This might come in handy later on in life.
Not only will ballroom dancing do all this and more for you, it will also give you a healthy boost of confidence and self-esteem no matter what type of person you are. The emotional expression and freedom of waltzing through song after song do much for fostering our well-being while providing an opportunity for personal growth. Forget about any embarrassment you might think you have—that was my problem—and lose yourself to the steps and your partner and I guarantee you will find yourself in a whole new headspace with a different outlook.
Perhaps the most poignant benefit of this entire endeavor comes from the social interactions. My mind is continually blown by how many of us are comfortable avoiding each other, resorting to texts or social media instead of just talking to someone else.
By hitting the dance floor, often around numerous other couples, you will expand your social circles, maybe even make new friends, and have the chance to stretch your horizons through learning from others. This is a long, crazy life and no one needs to spend it hiding behind a computer or other device.
Back in elementary school gym class, we had to do square dancing for three years. Of course, no one at the time thought much about it and I doubt any of us remember the specifics, but now, having done a little ballroom dancing, I can certainly see the social benefits bestowed upon us way back when.
Any kind of exercise is good exercise, especially when it comes to dancing. If ballroom isn’t right for you, you could be like my nephew down in Miami who is racking up trophy after trophy with his competitive dance team.
The fact is, ballroom dancing is a healthy combination of physical, mental, and social activity that will make you feel alive. And that is what we need now, more than ever. The costs associated with lessons are minimal unless you plan on going all out and entering competitions with the flashy dresses and fancy pants. That wasn’t my cup of tea but, who knows, maybe it’s the one for you!
So, slip into those fancy shoes and take a chance. If you’re on the fence about ballroom dancing or have given it a little thought in the past, I hope this helps push you in the right direction. Those of you who have been there and done that, I hope you find your passions reinvigorated and that you continue expressing yourselves long into the future.
There are plenty of places in our area where you can go to learn and practice ballroom dancing. Lord knows, my wife had no trouble finding one. I can’t say I ever wanted to do it, but I had a blast and came away feeling a little better about myself. Now it’s your turn.
Like Van Halen sang, “Dance the night away,” my friends.
To read a little more on the health benefits of ballroom dancing, go to:
