There are many available dance studios that offer lessons on various dance styles. The common dances taught are Latin which includes the Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba and Jive, and street Latin such as Salsa, Merengue, and Mambo.

They also teach dancing styles such as Freestyle, Classical Ballroom and Modern Ballroom, Waltz, Ballet, Boot Scootin’, Belly Dancing and Pole Dancing.

Dancing gets the blood pumping! All types of dancing are a good form of aerobic and anaerobic exercise, as various muscles are used which are usually dormant in everyday life. The healthy cardio and breathing aspects are well documented, as the exercise increases oxygen flow through the bloodstream. Dancing also has a more moderate impact on the body than most other forms of physical exercise, and is therefore less likely to result in injury to muscles and ligaments. The physical exercise of 30 minutes or more of dancing will significantly burn kilojoules and help with weight loss. Dancing exercise is also good for your spine and posture.

Latin dances including the cha cha, samba and mambo generally are considered the best dance forms for continual exercise of the thighs, calves, hips and buttocks. The more intense dance forms, such as the foxtrot, waltz and other ballroom dances burn an amount of energy equivalent to speed-walking or sprinting. The repetitive nature of some exotic dance forms, such as flamenco and belly dancing, exercise hips, thighs, back, calves and abdominal muscles, depending on the specific routine you choose. Native American dancing consumes a similar amount of energy. The fast-paced modern dance forms, for example ballet, hip-hop and rap, work the abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs with extensive stretching of arms, legs and feet. These low-impact movements avoid injury and enhance cardiovascular circulation. Add arm movements to work your whole body and burn more calories per hour. With freestyle dance, you decide what movements challenge you most and what impact level you are most comfortable with. Choreographed and freestyle modern dances also chew up the kilojoules.

Modern medical science is also pointing to the mental health benefits, as dance can relieve stress, improve the brain’s serotonin levels and increase a sense of social wellbeing. Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that frequent dancing was beneficial to mental abilities in the aged, and protected against Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. Freestyle dancing involves significant cognitive exercise. Dancing can improve general self confidence.

There are no age or gender barriers to enjoying the physical benefits of dancing. It is a natural instinct for toddlers to mimic dancing in a public display or on a visual medium such as television. Dancing is a natural reaction to music. Individuals, couples, groups, gay, straight – the physical benefits of dance appeal to everyone, whether at beginner, intermediate or advance level. Many fitness clubs incorporate dancing in their physical regimes. Some involve dance techniques specifically to strengthen and tone muscles. Programs vary from one-on-one tutoring to group dance dynamics. Dancing is the perfect exercise alternative to the mundane nature of a gym workout, and the injury risks of contact sport and jogging.