Dance is no longer considered only as a performing art. You would all agree, that there are an increasing number of people in all age groups who are now learning to groove to the tunes of music.
You must have all heard “Dancing is the hidden language of the soul” “Dance for life” “Have feet? Can dance” such phrases are doing the rounds today, motivating the new generation kids to learn dance.
Other than dance enthusiasts, there are a large number of fitness freaks who join the dance studios not much for the passion of art but as a new way of exercising to keep themselves fit.
There are various reasons that motivate people to join the dance studios, but to put it simply dancing is great fun and this is the only reason that it attracts people to the floor.
Team Medimanage spoke to a well known Choreographer Brian Fernandes, who has been conducting musicals for more than 10 years and holds dance classes in various parts of Mumbai to understand more about dance as a stress buster, dancing and kids … and beyond.
How does dancing help the mental health, as compared to say gymming?
Scientifically, exercise increases the level of brain chemicals that encourage nerve cells to grow. As dancing requires you to remember dance steps and sequences, it helps in boosting the brainpower by improving memory skills. It also improves the stamina.
Gyming is a form of fitness where the target is to lose weight. You need to concentrate on the exercise as any exercise wrongly done can give an injury. Whereas people who listen to music can enjoy all form of dance. Dance reduces tension and stress.
There are people who lack the confidence in dance and get conscious and feel how they would look when they would dance but once they learn the dance form and the rhythm, they become confident to dance at any place. This increases their overall confidence levels.
Which dance form would you recommend to someone who wants to lose weight while learning to dance?
Any form of dance can help to lose weight but there are few specific ones like Dance aerobics, Zumba, and any form of Bollywood dancing. But this also depends how many hour and how many days a week is dedicated for this.
People who have 2 left feet but want to learn dancing
There is no concept of 2 left feet. Everybody can dance provided they are trained from the basics. Practice and continuity can make a person an average dancer.
I feel people who are beginners should opt for basic style of dance and then jump to learn off beat style of dance.
At Brians Academy of Dance, we offer a basic course for new students which improves coordination and rhythm in the body.
Can dance be used as a form of exercise for the senior citizen or person with physical ailments?
Yes, surely it can be a form of exercise for senior citizens as it also helps in reducing tension. Before the dance session few stretching exercises, as per the requirement of a person, is advised. Also, at Brian’s Academy our trainer’s give personnel attention to this age group.
