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Swaying to the Music

Dancing for Fitness and Fun

By Charlene Torkelson, Fitness Expert

Private lessons will increase your knowledge quickly and allow you to use your dance skills faster. Learning to dance and feeling confident with what you know opens doors for more fitness and social opportunities. You will find you are more comfortable going to dance clubs, weddings and parties when you know how to move to the music. You may connect with local dance clubs or groups in your area that provide weekly or monthly dances. Exercise is always better when you are having fun, and the aerobic workout of dancing is such a fitness pleasure. It hardly feels like you are working on staying in good physical shape. It's just plain enjoyment.

The movement in many dances includes spinning, turning and swaying. Although these are lots of fun and give you great variety in your step patterns, moms-to-be should avoid any movements that make them feel uncomfortable or unbalanced. Remember, you have a partner dancing with you who will guide you through the steps and will give you a feeling of connection and support. Let your partner know if you in any way feel awkward and concerned. Dancing heightens the communication you have with your partner and spouse, so use this as an opportunity to share those feelings.

So whether you find the pulsing drama of the Argentine Tango best suites your personality or the fast swirling Viennese Waltz brings out your European elegance, step into a new fitness trend and move to the music. Dancing only takes a pair of comfortable shoes, a willing partner and a great song to create a new world and a lifetime of exercise.

Want to see more?

• Wonderful Wiggles: A Father Watches His Child's First Dance
• Shape up Your Groove Thing: Bellydancing as Exercise
• Stress-busting!: Using Exercise to Manage Stress
• Talk about it!

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