8 Reasons You Should Learn Ballroom Dancing | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

8 Reasons You Should Learn Ballroom Dancing, I Promise You Won't Regret It

And more reasons than I could list to love it.

228
Friends
Jhinelle Walker

In This Article:

Ballroom dance is a series of partnered dances that can function both as a social and/or competitive activity. Broken down into four categories (at least, in America and Canada), there are International Latin, International Standard, American Rhythm, and American Smooth, and these categories include anything ranging from variations of the waltz, jive, cha cha, and samba. With most (if not all) of the dances involving two people (a lead and a follow), it is a great opportunity for friendly bonding while learning to move your hips.

It is a great workout

Ballroom dancing is not for the faint of heart. It requires a dash of determination and a splash of stamina. If you lack the latter, do not worry. You will gain some.

Many of the dances in ballroom are cardio workouts with good form and figures put to music. Quick paced dances, like quickstep, mambo, jive, cha cha, and samba, burn through calories (and, resultantly, fat), especially the more often you do them. They train your body to more efficiently draw in oxygen and circulate it through the body, thus resulting in a greater lung capacity and stronger heart.

Even in some of the slower dances, there is a great deal of muscle training as you have to properly activate some of your (sometimes little used) muscles to hold certain shapes or execute particular moves. If anything, holding up your frame is a shoulder workout in and of itself.

It helps form or strengthen social bonds

Since ballroom dancing is a social activity, it requires socializing. Whether it be with a friend you dragged along with you or a stranger you just met when you showed up, you will find yourself interacting with various individuals in a (hopefully) low pressure environment.

You cannot help but crack a few jokes or share a few smiles when you are all trying to fumble your way through new movements, and long before you know it, you will find yourself with a few new friends to tango out in public with when just the right song plays.

It boosts memory

Ballroom dancing requires great mental and muscle memory. Each time you dance, as you learn new styles, various figures, proper technique, and (potentially) whole routines, you are constantly challenging your mind and body to keep up and get with the program. You will find yourself recalling easily that the hand-to-hand comes after the spot turn right after three New Yorkers. What is even more interesting is when your mind blanks out completely, but you find yourself executing an underarm spin when you feel your partner's hand twitch a certain way long before your mind catches on.

It improves interpersonal skills

Your people skills are forced to improve even if it is just for swing because ballroom dancing is a partnered activity, and you have got to work with others. When you are dancing, you and your partner(s) have to learn how to communicate both verbally and nonverbally if you want to accomplish anything. It is all about coordination and learning to trust, compensate for, and improvise with each other. You will find yourself knowing exactly what to do with the subtlest indication from your partner even if it is not part of the routine.

It builds confidence

Because of the physical benefits of ballroom and the capabilities you are gaining as you continue to learn and practice, ballroom dancing does begin to improve your confidence and self-esteem. Be it that you are getting more in shape, understanding your body more (and knowing how to move it), and/or gaining an interesting new ability that you can pop out when needed, you might find yourself holding your head a little higher, even if it is only when you are slipping on your dance shoes.

It is liberating

Such an environment provides an arena where you are allowed to mess up and learn. It is okay. You are not meant to get it right off the bat (something I have to tell myself every day). You can make mistakes. You can trip, step on a few toes, or spin too late, but do you know what is so great about that? You are not alone, and you will get better.

It is fun

You have an excuse to move your body to music and (maybe) look good while doing it. You can call it whatever: exercise, training, etc., but whatever it is to you, you should be enjoying it as you do it.

It prepares you for the most improbable moments

You know... that moment when that particular song comes on and you make eye contact with a stranger across the dance floor. You both step towards each other and fall right into frame before gliding away to the shock and awe of everyone around you...

...or, you know, when someone grabs you as you step out of the staircase and starts foxtrotting down the hallway. True story. It was great.

So... what are you waiting for?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
girl
Pexels

In case you're unaware, "resting bitch face" is the term used to describe when a person's natural, expressionless face makes it look like they are mad at the world. Whether they are walking down the street or simply spacing out thinking about what to eat for dinner, it's very easy for others to assume that this person is either upset or mad at them. Because of this, those of us with Resting Bitch Face (RBF), and especially us women, have all experienced many of the same situations and conversations, including:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

The Stages Of A Crush As Told By The Cast of "Bob's Burgers"

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

195
my heart just pooped its pants
Google

We've all had a crush before. Whether it leads to something or nothing, the process has all been the same. The awkward feelings, the stalking, and the stress of trying to keep this huge secret. The feeling of becoming a total spazz is something that cannot be avoided, and the most spazzy family that can relate to this feeling is the Belcher's.

Keep Reading...Show less
you didnt come this far to only come this far lighted text
Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

At the tender age of 18, we are bestowed with the title of “adult.” For 17 years, we live under the rules and guidelines of our parents, school, and government, and to stray from any of those rules or guidelines marks us as a rebel. At 18, though, we must choose which college we want to go to or what career we want. We are allowed and encouraged to vote. We can buy lottery tickets and cigarettes. We can drop out of school, leave our household, and do other "adult" things. At 18, we start down a path of thinking for ourselves, when for the entirety of our lives other institutions have been mandated to think and do for us.

Keep Reading...Show less
university
University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

1416
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments