Flexibility Through Dancing

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Flexibility and Dancing

 

We’ve touched on the physical benefits of dance before briefly, but we didn’t get into one of the best benefits of all: Flexibility. A skill many man and women lose as they age, flexibility is one thing that dancing brings out in all dancers.  If you are not constantly stretching them out, adults tend to lose flexibility in their joints. This stiffness can even begin to hinder you from doing everyday tasks (you might also know this as arthritis, which can occur in the hands, knees, back, and hips).  This is both unhealthy, and can increase the risk of injury later on in life. By loosening up these joints through dance, you can prevent arthritis and increase flexibility.

Within three months of dancing, you might also see improved flexibility in your spine too. Dancing helps to create better posture and proper alignment, to ease or erase the upper back/neck pain that some people constantly feel. When applied properly, ballroom dancing can benefit your spine by strengthening your core muscles. These are worked out because of the direction changes, weight shifting, and other movements required in ballroom dancing. Dancing will also help lengthen and align your spine through better posture. Since the basic frame in almost every dance is very precise, it aligns your organs and your spine.

You can also gain flexibility by just stretching before you dance and while going through each and every step. Performing these simple tasks, you can quickly see improvement in joints, muscles, and ligaments in your body.  You will even see these benefits as you keep dancing, not just when you’re first starting out. Different types of dances require different muscle movements, so by learning and practicing a variety of dances, you can get a larger spectrum of benefits. Try learning fast dances with smaller movements, like Country Swing, or with a dance that has bigger, more stretching movements, like Argentine Tango.

With so many benefits, dancing really is an investment in yourself. It can give you a new outlook on life, improve your health, and give you an incredible workout.  Not only does it help you build muscle strength, but it can also improve your posture, your flexibility, your appearance and your balance as well. The perfect frame can really make all the difference for both your dance and your spine. It just so happens that here at Dance FX Studios, we are great at working with you to perfect your frame and getting you to dance. We realize how important it is to a healthy lifestyle and improved flexibility. Don’t waste any more time. Get up and start dancing with Dance FX Studios today!

What Good Is Social Dancing?

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Social dancing is a great way to get out, meet people, and above all else, have fun! But did you know that you can also gain a bunch of health benefits from social dancing? Dancing is probably one of the best ways to lose weight, have fun, and be social all at the same time. But don’t just take our word for it. Many experts have weighed in on the topic and have found the incredible benefits of dancing in correlation with health, both mental and physical.

    

 

  1. Dancing does burn calories and, in turn, can help you lose weight. According to the good doctors at WebMD, dancing is a moderate level exercise which most adults need 30 minutes a day of to stay healthy. Losing weight does depend on your skill level and the type of dancing you’re doing. Something very vigorous and with a high tempo (like Salsa or Country Swing) will burn more calories in 30 minutes than something a little bit slower and relaxed (Like a Waltz or Foxtrot). 2 hours of dancing would burn anywhere from 400 to 1000 calories, depending on the dance. 
  2. Flashy moves are very nice to see once in a while, but even the most experienced of dancers would be nowhere without a strong core. Dancing uses core muscles, such as the abdominal and the back to do key movements, and new dancers often find they use and feel muscles they never knew they had. Ballroom dances, like the Argentine Tango work leg muscles differently than any other type of exercise. Similarly, two minutes of ballroom dancing has the same amount of muscle exertion as an 800 meter run in the same amount of time. Though, in our opinion, dancing is way more fun. 
  3. Your mental health also reaps the benefits of dancing. Think of it as doing a puzzle. Putting the steps together, remembering each step and how they go to the particular style of music can all help your memory. Dancing has been proven to stave off dementia, as well as Alzheimer’s, since you’re exercising your brain with complex moves and working with your partner. The social aspect is beneficial too. It helps fight depression and loneliness when you go out to dance as compared to dancing by yourself in your living room.

Dancing is a fun activity that exercises both your brain and your body. It’s great to do, and it’s great for you. Even better than just dancing by yourself, social dancing gives you the chance to get to know people and form groups of social dancers you can go out and dance with. What better way to do this than going to dance parties or taking group classes? Dance FX Studios can take care of all your dancing needs in one stop. Come visit us and see for yourself how dance can affect you.

 

References: WebMD Articles, WorldHealth.net

Take a Break from Studying and Dance!

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Model 25 DancingTaking a break from classes and studying is sometimes just what you need. A great way to release stress that may have built up from long hours studying, writing papers, and pulling those all-nighters is taking dance lessons. You may not know it yet, but dancing can be very therapeutic for your body, mind, and spirit. You can even find yourself with renewed energy after attending dance lessons. With finals coming up next month, now is a great time to release that stress and start taking dancing lessons.

Along with being a stress reliever, dancing can also help you meet new people if you are new to the area. You can even find young adults who frequent dance classes as dancing is becoming more popular among people of all ages due to shows like So You Think You can Dance and Dancing with the Stars. There are also many different styles of dancing to choose from, giving you a variety of options, one which will surely suit you. So whether you need a break from the day-to-day stressors of school, work, or just live in general it is a great way to calm your mind.

Sign up for Private Dance Lessons or Group Dance Classes at Dance FX Studios today! Dance FX Studios is located in Mesa, Arizona and offers both Private and Group Lessons. We offer many types of dances ranging from Ballroom and Latin to Country and even Hip Hop. Try our Introductory Offer of $40 for 1 hour-long, Private Dance Lessons, or sign up for a 4 week Group Dance Class at $50 per person or $75 per couple.

For more information regarding Private Dance Lessons, please visit https://dancefxstudios.com/dance-lessons-mesa-arizona/ . If you are interested in our Group Dance Classes, more information can be found by visiting
https://dancefxstudios.com/dance-classes-mesa-arizona/ .

A Romantic Evening For Two

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istock_000004680724small People are constantly looking for ways to be romantic. Whether it is a little getaway, a nice dinner, or just spending quality time with each other, let’s face it you’re a sucker for romance. Another great way to spend a romantic evening with each other is to dance the night away. Group dance classes or private dance lessons are a perfect for enhancing the romance in your life with some quality time together. You can even combine some of the romantic activities and have a nice evening out with dinner and dancing.

Dancing is a great opportunity for couples to share more time with each other, eliminate distractions that may await them at home, embrace each other, and share something quite wonderful together. Maybe it is the gazing into each other’s eyes that does the trick, but you will soon find a newfound love for one another. At times, dancing can even have a therapeutic effect on your relationship. You will find that your stress levels have decreased and you have something that both of you can share and enjoy together. It is even possible for you to have better communication between yourselves, as dancing heavily depends on nonverbal cues.

At Dance FX Studios, located in Mesa, Arizona, you can ignite the romance in your relationship. Dance FX Studios has Group Dance Lessons and Private Dance Lessons available. Group Dance Lessons are an hour-long, once a week, for four consecutive weeks. Material builds upon each previous class until the dance class is completed. More information about our Group Dance Classes can be found at https://dancefxstudios.com/dance-classes-mesa-arizona/

On the other hand, Private Dance Lessons are tailored just for you, letting you progress at your own pace and comfort level. Currently, Dance FX Studios is offering an Introductory Offer of $40 for 1 hour-long Private Dance Lesson. For more information about our Private Dance Lessons, please visit https://dancefxstudios.com/dance-lessons-mesa-arizona/ .

Have Fun with Social Dancing

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istock_000003993390mediumDo you need something fun and exciting to get you up and going? Social dancing is a wonderful hobby and you will have a great time while doing it too! Your spirits will be lifted each time you attend a social dancing class or go out to a nightclub to dance. Everyone can use a little more fun in their life, but many haven’t discovered the amazing time you can have with social dancing.

You may think that dance classes are strict and have a fun-sucking environment, but that is not the case at all. Once you enroll in and attend your first social dance class, you will find that you are having a good time socializing with other students and learning new moves and combinations.

The great thing about social dance classes is that you do not need to come with a partner. You can either have one on one instructor time with private dance lessons, or rotate partners in the group dance lessons. Even if you do have a partner in mind who you would like to bring, you will still have a great time together learning how to dance. Dance lessons are great for couples as they get to learn a new hobby together, spend more time with one another, and enhance their relationship romantically or otherwise.

If you live in the Phoenix valley, Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona, offers Group Dance Lessons and Private Dance Lessons. Group Dance Lessons are one hour long and are once a week. Group Dance Lessons last for 4 consecutive weeks, building upon the previous class’ material. You can find more information about our Group Lessons at https://dancefxstudios.com/dance-classes-mesa-arizona/

Interested in our Private Dance Lessons instead? Dance FX Studios has an Introductory Offer of $40 for 1 hour-long Private Dance Lesson. Our Private Dance Lessons range from Ballroom to Country Western, and even Hip Hop! To see more information about our Private Dance Lessons, visit https://dancefxstudios.com/dance-lessons-mesa-arizona/ .

Fix Poor Posture with Ballroom Dancing

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istock_000001517573xsmallDo you have hunched shoulders and an aching upper back due to bad posture? You can remedy this with Ballroom dancing! Ballroom dancing can help you learn to lengthen and align your spine through the constant use of better posture. As you may know, your frame in Ballroom is very precise and is kept as such throughout the dance. Being in this position actually helps put all of your organs in alignment, as well as the spine.

With three months of dance lessons, you may see improved flexibility in your spine as well. The newly found flexibility and proper alignment can even help ease or erase that upper back/neck pain you have been feeling. All of these benefits to your spine are made possible from strengthening your core muscles, something that Ballroom dancing will help you achieve. Stronger core muscles add the strength and stability that your spine needs. Core muscles are worked out in the Ballroom dances because of the weight shifting, direction changes, and other movements required in Ballroom dancing.

Once you start to notice that you are not only applying your new posture to dancing, but into your everyday life is when you know that this has truly done wonders for your body. You will start to notice that your body presence, appearance, and balance have improved as well. It will take some time and continual reminding during the initial learning phase, but strive to gain that great posture and frame without being told and reminded.

Are you in need of a place to start dancing? Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona, offers Private Dance Lessons and Group Dance Lessons. We have an Introductory Offer for beginners looking for Private Lessons. This consists of a 1 hour-long Private Dance Class for $40. More information regarding Private Dance Lessons can be found at https://dancefxstudios.com/ballroom-dancing-mesa-arizona/ .

Ballroom Dance Promotes Self-Expression

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istock_000012228843xsmall1If you need an outlet to vent or express your feelings and yourself, Ballroom dancing can help you do just that. In fact, Ballroom dancing can help you convey and strengthen your ability to use expressive movements with your body. You will find that expressing your feelings and emotions will not only boost your self-confidence, but it can also help improve your health. With the use self-expression in Ballroom dancing, you can help reduce stress, which can cause high heart rates and high blood pressure.

So instead of taking your emotions out on someone, channel them towards a greater cause like Ballroom dancing. You may find that it is very freeing and allows you to be more creative in life and on the dance floor. In addition, Ballroom dancing is a healthy way to learn how to express yourself and can be quite therapeutic as well.

You can even take what you learn about expressing yourself on the dance floor, and apply it to real life situations with people. Not being able to express yourself in a conversation with someone can be quite stressful. If you take Ballroom dancing you may just be able to better emote how you are feeling. Alleviating those semi-stressful moments in life can do wonders for your body and mind, so start Ballroom dancing today!

Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona, can help you unleash your self-expression. Sign up today for Private Dance Lessons or Group Dance Lessons. We have an Introductory Offer of $40 for 2 thirty-minute, or 1 hour-long, private dance lessons. More information regarding Private Dance Lessons can be found at https://dancefxstudios.com/dance-lessons-mesa-arizona/

Group Dance Lessons last for 4 continuous weeks, with material building upon the previous week’s class. The new Group Dance Courses start the first week of April, for a list of upcoming classes, please visit https://dancefxstudios.com/dancing-classes-and-dance-studios-mesa-az/group-class-calendar If you are interested in Group Dance Classes, then you can view more information at https://dancefxstudios.com/dance-classes-mesa-arizona/

Manage Stress with Social Dancing

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dance schools mesa azHave you had one of those days that results in a tub of ice cream and endless amounts of TV programs? If you have had a bad day, at work or due to something else, it is sometimes hard to get out of that rut. But don’t do something you may further regret, like eating a gallon of ice cream, and try something else that can relieve your stress and benefits your body. Why don’t you try social dancing?

After a long day of work, if you are feeling a little tense or stressed out, you may want to head over to the dance studio instead of the couch. The release of endorphins that occurs after a good dancing session can help you reduce any tension, anger, depression, and loneliness that you may be feeling. Not only do the endorphins help reduce stress, but the social aspect of dancing also helps with reducing stress.

In a controlled study, published in the Journal of Applied Gerontology, they proved that partner dance and musical accompaniment could help with stress relief. If you would like to take it beyond just stress relief, dancing on a regular basis can even be used as a form of stress management. Nowadays it is almost necessary to keep your stress in check as it could lead to serious health problems.

Relax and increase your well being with social dancing! Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona offers Private and Group Dance Lessons that can help you de-stress. If you would like to test the waters of dance lessons, we offer an Introductory Offer of $40 for 2 thirty-minute (or 1 hour-long) private dance classes. To see more information about our Private Dance Lessons, please visit https://dancefxstudios.com/dance-lessons-mesa-arizona/

Group Dance Lessons start up again during the first week of April and will last for 4 weeks. Each class will build upon the previous classes material for 4 consecutive weeks. If you are more interested in the Group Dance Classes, you can find further information at https://dancefxstudios.com/dance-classes-mesa-arizona/

Reap the Rewards, Start Dancing Today!

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Phoenix danceStarting to dance early in life can have some of the same physical and mental benefits as dancing at any age, but there are also some additional advantages to beginning dance lessons early on. Children can even start as young as 2 ½ to 3 years of age, but it is completely different from child to child, and depends on their own development level.

During this younger stage in life, kids can still benefit immensely from dancing. Children can learn to move safely and with confidence, which includes coordination, balance, spatial awareness, and general body control. In addition to fine motor movement, this will help keep a child active and create a healthy lifestyle early on.

Aside from the physical development benefits, children can grow in creative development too. Their imagination and communication of ideas through movement can begin to unfold when they are little. Another development area includes personal, social, and emotional development. These are some of the more obvious things like enjoying themselves, working individually and as a group, developing trust, interacting with a new group, and exploring their feelings.

Since you are reading this, I know you are not a little 2-3 year old kid. However, you can still reap the same and even more benefits than a child could by starting dancing now. Some additional physical benefits, other than coordination and balance, consist of flexibility, endurance, muscle and strength, and many others. Within the personal, social, and emotional realm, you can have improved sense of well-being, reduced stress and tension, increased self-confidence, and improved social-skills.

If you are interested in unleashing some of these benefits for yourself, visit Dance FX Studios located in Mesa, Arizona. Dance FX Studios offers group and private social dance lessons. Information regarding group classes can be found at  https://dancefxstudios.com/dance-classes-mesa-arizona/and information about private classes can be located at https://dancefxstudios.com/dance-lessons-mesa-arizona/

Stretching Benefits and Exercises Before Ballroom Dancing

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ballroom dancing lessons mesa When you watch a professional ballroom dancer, you may notice how flexible they are. It can also remind you of the flexibility you lack! But never fret; often this flexibility comes with practice. Even with practice though, flexible dancers still stretch to warm up for ballroom dancing sessions.
Common dance-related injuries such as sprains and strains happen when muscles and ligaments are overstretched or twisted.Even if you feel that you aren’t doing any strenuous movements, you can cause an injury to yourself from tight muscles. Once you begin to perform a consistent warm up routine prior to class, it will become natural—and you’ll avoid injuries. Here are a few foot stretches to try while you’re waiting for dance class to begin:
1. Sit up straight with your back firmly against the back of a chair. Slowly turn your left foot inward. Hold this position for six seconds. Then turn foot very slowly outward and hold for another six seconds. Repeat this exercise six times. Repeat entire exercise with right foot.
2. Sit up straight with your back firmly against the back of the chair. Slowly move your left foot in a circle moving clockwise. Repeat this movement six times. Then slowly move the same foot in a circle counter-clockwise. Repeat this movement six times. Repeat the entire exercise with the right foot.
If you do triple time Swing, you might feel the muscles in your hips are fatigued. These are your hip flexors and/or abductors. Often ladies, with those wonderful heels on, you’ll especially begin to feel your hips tire as you learn to dance.  Try this exercise for a warm up:
1. Use a wall or a chair to help keep your balance for this exercise if needed. Lift a straight leg forward in front of your body, as high as you can while keeping your back straight. Hold for a count of 2 and release. Then, do the same to the side of your body. Repeat this exercise six times. Repeat entire exercise both feet.
Of course, if you have certain problem areas, such as back pain, find stretches that apply to your needs. And while wrist or knee braces may not go with your outfit on a dance night, don’t be afraid to wear them during dance practice sessions to protect any weak muscles or tender areas. For optimal effect, also stretch directly after dance class. This way you can enjoy your dancing without being uncomfortable later!