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Whether you enjoy dance for its artistic expression or for its physical performance, its benefits for body and mind have been recognised and proven. Our ancestors were already practising this art in cave times. In fact, just look at the Dancing Shaman in the Grotte des Trois-Frères in Ariège. There are many different answers to the question of why humans have been dancing since the dawn of time. But what is certain is the benefits of dance for physical and mental health.
Whatever your style or intensity, dancing is good for the body. You've probably noticed a few days after your session that you're feeling a bit sore, and that's normal. This is because dancing improves muscle strength, helping to strengthen the body's muscles. In this way, dance helps to reshape the figure and helps to combat overweight. Each type of dance, depending on the muscles involved, produces a specific body shape. For example, a prima ballerina will have a long, toned body, while a hip-hop dancer will have a well-developed musculature. Studies have also shown that an hour of dance burns between 200 and 600 calories. These figures vary according to intensity.
Because dancing is considered an aerobic sport, its benefits for the heart and lungs have been proven. Basically, when you dance, your heart rate is between 60% and 80% of your maximum heart rate. This allows you to set the dancefloor alight all night long. So it's reasonable to class dance as an endurance sport. Dancing contributes to the elasticity of the blood vessels and also helps the body release happy hormones. During prolonged physical effort, dopamine, the hormone responsible for addictions, is the first to kick in, triggering euphoria. Then serotonin takes over, reducing pain and regulating sleep and body temperature. The feeling of comfort and satisfaction is linked to the secretion of serotonin. Other hormones are released by the nervous system: enkephalins and endorphins, also known as endogenous opioids with an analgesic effect. In practical terms, they act in the same way as morphine, by suppressing sensitivity to pain. To benefit from the relaxing effect, we recommend a dance session lasting between three-quarters of an hour and an hour.
Dancing contributes to the elasticity of blood vessels and also helps the body to release happy hormones. During prolonged physical effort, dopamine, the hormone responsible for addiction, is the first to be released, causing euphoria. Next, serotonin comes into play to reduce pain and regulate sleep and body temperature. The feeling of comfort and satisfaction is linked to the secretion of serotonin. The nervous system releases other hormones such as enkephalins and endorphins, also known as endogenous opioids with an analgesic effect. In practical terms, they act in the same way as morphine, by suppressing sensitivity to pain. To benefit from the relaxing effect, we recommend a dance session lasting between three-quarters of an hour and an hour.
The release of happy hormones contributes to a real sense of well-being in body and mind. Other proven benefits of dance include improved mood, increased joy and reduced stress. It's hardly surprising that health professionals recommend it to combat depression and anxiety-related disorders. What's more, bodily expression is another way of communicating in order to free oneself from unhappiness. Dance is therefore an integral part of the therapy process, encouraging the expression of emotions and boosting self-confidence.
Its beneficial impact has also been analysed on patients suffering from degenerative neurological diseases. Dance activates memory, concentration and motor functions. Scientists have therefore sought to demonstrate its benefits for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's sufferers. According to studies, patients experience a slowing down of the disease and an improvement in their quality of life.
When practised at the highest level, dance becomes a sporting and artistic performance that is a pleasure to behold. Who doesn't marvel at the lightness of ballet dancers or the sensuality of bachata dancers? Whether we enjoy attending a show or going to a ball, dance contributes to social cohesion. There are many occasions when people get together to dance: traditional festivals, wedding celebrations and so on. Dance is a vehicle for social cohesion. In other cultures, dance is a means of accessing spirituality, as in the case of the whirling dervishes.
To sum up, dance has many benefits for the body and the mood. Alone or with others, as a means of self-expression or establishing a relationship with others, dance is excellent for our hearts and therefore for our lives. Patrick Swayze, actor in the film Dirty Dancing, said: "There's no better way to look after your health than with something as joyful and beautiful as dance".