Three Things You Don’t Know About Ballroom Dance

The dance craze seemed to have died out. After decades of being addicted to ballroom dance, it seemed for a while that ballroom dancing wasn’t popular anymore. People preferred to get down on the dance floor to their own, not sticking to any particular beat and certainly not learning any steps. This isn’t to say that such dancing is wrong — all types of dancing should be embraced. But those who still loved ballroom dancing felt discouraged by their lack of creative outlets. As such, it’s a relief that ballroom dancing has experienced a renewed surge of interest recently. Several popular television shows feature ballroom dancing. This in turn has led many to enroll in ballroom dancing lessons, adults and children alike. We’re learning that ballroom dancing doesn’t have to be something you pursue professionally — though if you have the talent and drive, you certainly can. Ballroom dancing lessons also serve as a creative outlet and a social opportunity. They’re good for your health — and if you’re getting married, what you learn can even be incorporated into your wedding dance. Below, we’ll look into a few things you might not know about ballroom dancing, from its past to its present. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find yourself walking into the ballroom dance studio.

1. Dance Has A Long History

Before there was ballroom dance, there was dance that was used for everything from ritual to entertainment. The oldest evidence of dance consists of cave paintings found in India that are believed to be 9,000 years old. Now, there’s very little way of knowing why people danced then, and how similar or different it might be from what you’ll learn during ballroom dancing lessons. But we do know that people have loved to dance for a long, long time. The Ancient Egyptians loved to dance, for both religious and entertainment purposes. Dancing would be picked up by European cultures as time went on, and in fact became a very important part of culture in general. People would dance casually and in structured situations. In the Versailles of Louis XIV, a carefully calculated court, dancing was a means of communicating — and for the king, it was a way to reinforce the strict class rules by which the nobility had to abide. In the late 17th century, Louis XIV founded the Academie Royale de Musique et de Danse. He created strict rules for ballroom dancing in this way.

2. Dancing Helps The Mind

Before beginning ballroom dancing lessons, you’ll probably know logically that dancing helps the body in some way — though perhaps not the extent to which dancing contributes to people’s physical health. But it can also strengthen the brain and the psyche. According to a study by the New England Journal of Medicine, regular dance lessons may improve people’s memory and reduce the risk of dementia. This is yet another reason why such lessons should not be aimed simply at young people. Regularly participating in dance can also lower your daily stress levels. In turn, dance can reduce a person’s symptoms of depression. Certainly, if dance is shown to reduce tension and stress, it’s more likely to help people at the very least cope with their depression. But this doesn’t mean that the effects on the mind are greater than or lessen the effects on the body. In fact, the two can go hand in hand, increasing the benefits of dance overall.

3. Dancing Strengthens The Body

By now, ballroom dancing has become recognized as an Olympic sport — and with good reason. It provides people with an outlet for energy, and is a great cardiovascular exercise. Consistent ballroom dancing classes can help people increase their flexibility and lose weight. It’s an aerobic activity that helps people improve their cardiovascular health. You can even improve your posture and balance — and all the while, you’re enjoying yourself. Remember — dance isn’t a solo activity. You can enjoy yourself, spend time with people, and develop a new skill.