Studies show overwhelmed and busy students looking to reduce their stress levels should consider hitting the dance floor to get their grooves on.
The TV shows So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars spark lime light dancers to show off their dance talent.
It has even inspired non-dancers to try their luck hoping to be discovered as a raw talent.
Not everyone is confident enough to show off their moves on national television, but students could benefit from this dance phenomena. Dancing provides a great cardio workout and, in some cases, opportunities to build strength and flexibility, said Alison McNeill, dance instructor and co-founder of Jazzmatazz Dance Company.
“Dancing encourages good posture and helps people to better understand their own bodies and their partner's body,” McNeill said.
Canadians who are active in their free time doing recreational activities, including dancing, were more likely to rate their health as either very good or excellent according to Statistics Canada.
These active people also report lower levels of stress. Learning to dance can also give young people confidence in social situations, said McNeill, who is also a certified senior dance teacher in the public school system.
While working with high school students, McNeil has noticed confidence “is important because with confidence, young people are less likely to turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with the pressures and anxiety that come with social gatherings.”
For college students looking for that special someone, “dance classes are a great way to meet great people and form new friendships or relationships,” said McNeill. Social dancing can also help people in their current relationships.
Dancing together can help make a relationship even stronger. “Partner dancing teaches teamwork.” And for the guys out there who think real men don’t dance: think again. Real men are good dancers. Or they are at least willing to give it a try.
Dance teaches men how to be a gentleman, said Attila Kozma, dance instructor and co-founder of Jazzmatazz Dance Company. Guys who learn to dance also learn how to behave like a man, and how to provide for a lady's needs. As a bonus, men who take dance lessons can have the pick of the ladies because there are always more women than men taking dance classes.
In Calgary, try out these two places for drop in lessons. Calgary DanceSport offers social dances every Friday with a mini dance lesson starting at 8:15 p.m. and a social dance afterwards from 9:15 p.m. to midnight.
These dances are held at the Vocational and Rehabilitation Research Institute (VRRI) located close to the University of Calgary. For the $7 cover charge anyone can learn the basics in cha cha, rumba, salsa, waltz, west coast swing, tango, jive or fox trot. If country music is more your style, Ranchman’s Dance Hall offers dance sessions every night of the week.
For $10 per lesson, students can learn cha cha, east coast swing, two step, double shuffle or line dance. A $10 gift card for Ranchman’s grub is included with the lesson fee.
