Delightful Healing Arts would not be complete without acknowledging the benefits of body movement for maintaining optimal health and well-being. Yoga, QiGong, Thai Chi, running, walking, hiking, biking…all wonderful forms of physical activity. Yet, one of my favorite forms of movement is that of dance. Dance not only contributes to physical health; it also contributes to increased emotional, social, mental and spiritual health as well.
Healing Benefits of Dance
Balance, strength, flexibility, increased physical coordination, endurance, even better brain function are recognized physical benefits of dance and movement. By engaging within a social dance community, one has the opportunity to develop better social skills and increased confidence. Mental health is supported as one becomes present in the moment, experiencing the joy of music and movement. By engaging in dance and movement, one can explore freedom of expression while discovering individual creativity, all supporting one’s spiritual health and well being.
The Social Dance Experience
Social dances come in many styles and forms and have been around for quite some time. There are ballroom dances such as Waltz, Foxtrot and Rumba. People may be familiar with Salsa, Cha Cha, Bachata or Merengue. The swing dances include East Coast Swing, Lindy Hop and West Coast Swing. The list goes on: Argentine Tango, Carolina Shag, Country Two Set, Nightclub Two Step, Balboa. Zouk and Kizomba are growing in popularity. Basically, for every individual personality, background, body type and age demographic, there most likely is some form of social dance that will compliment a person’s life.
West Coast Swing Instruction
Amy is a West Coast Swing dance instructor. She teaches group classes for both Swingesota and the Twin Cities Rebels Swing Dance Club. Amy is also available to teach private lessons for individuals and couples. Please refer to the following web sites for more information. If you’d like to contact Amy regarding private dance lessons, please fill out the email contact form on the home page of this web site.
Swingesota classes are held at Fallout Arts Co-op Studio in Minneapolis on Wednesday nights. A weekly social dance follows the classes and is free for class participants.
Twin Cities Rebels Swing Dance Club classes are held at DanceLife Ballroom in Minneapolis on Sunday nights. A social dance follows typically on the first and third Sundays of the month and is free for class participants.
Explore what type of body movement suits you best, be it a form of dance, yoga, running, swimming or another. Simply enjoy your physicality and have gratitude for your presence on this beautiful planet!
