Waltz your way to being a healthier, happier you
Anyone can discover the joy – and the benefits – of dance, whatever their age or ability says
Has watching celebrities quickstep, waltz and tango every Saturday made you wonder how you’d fare as a Strictly contestant?
If you are in the mood, there are many of reasons to start shimmying – whatever your age or ability.
In fact, former Strictly champion Ore Oduba is supporting the Move Into Christmas campaign with care home provider Anchor (anchor.org. uk), aiming to get older people dancing. The TV presenter says: “Dance just makes you feel good, and it can really benefit your physical, mental and social wellbeing.”
Classpass (classpass.com) say dance sessions have entered the top 10 most popular activities booked via the site for the first time this year.
Here, pro dancers explain all you need to know about dancing as a hobby...
How does dancing improve your health?
“Dancing increases aerobic power and strength,” says dancer and instructor Natalie Simmonds from VAHA (uk.vaha.com), the UK’S first home interactive fitness mirror.
“It helps improve balance, posture, flexibility – so if you’re older, it can help prevent falls, and if you’re younger, it can reduce pain or stiffness from other activities.”
Doing classes alongside other fitness activities can be beneficial, because it “tones up your body in a more natural way than many other activities”, explains Joelle D’fontaine, dancer and founder of At Your Beat studios (atyourbeat.com).
What are the wellbeing benefits?
“The joyful thing about dance is you’re just trying to have fun – and the gains are secondary. Because of this mindset, the need for ‘slimming down’ is removed – great for your mind, body and soul,” says Joelle.
Like other exercise, dancing might have “a positive and profound impact on depression, anxiety, ADHD”, Natalie suggests, plus “It helps to improve memory, because you’ll be starting to remember steps and repeating them,” she adds. “It boosts your overall mood, even if you just put music on at home.”
If you dance with others, you could reap the social rewards and help fight loneliness. Joelle says: “Finding a ‘dance family’ can help with uplifting and diversifying your social circle, with new friends helping you come out of your shell.”
The social aspect can increase your self-esteem, too. Natalie adds: “You can see a different confidence in people who go dancing regularly.”
Any tips for beginners?
“Pop your favourite song on at home and start moving your body to it, and embrace that into your lifestyle as much as you can,” says Natalie.
She says it’s a myth people have ‘two left feet’: “Actually, these are things we learn. We can be taught co-ordination,
how to step to the beat, rhythm, and all these things.”
When it comes to ballroom, some dances are “intricate and you would need more lessons to really get your head around them”, but for beginners try the foxtrot, the rumba and waltzes, because they are “quite simple when broken down”.
Joelle recommends trying a beginner-level cardio dance class. “There is no complex choreography, and you can get used to your body moving with music.”
And remember dancers are friendly folk: “When you’re in that first dance class, look to whoever is beside you just say, ‘Hello, this is my first class’. They will support you,” says Joelle. Once you’ve got the hang of the basics, you could try “harder types of classes, for example heel classes, Afro beat classes or jazz classes”.