Change Your Life Through Dance

The Importance of Dance

“We are very connected to dance,” declares Lina Telis Goldster’s dynamic Zumba teacher. “We’ve done it since we lived in caves. Group dancing was invented by cavemen. Men used to dance in groups to feel stronger together against an enemy: for example, animals who would attack them.” Dance is not something we’ve invented recently, in the era of Strictly, it’s been going on for thousands of years.

Dance Can Change Your Life

“Dance has benefits for the muscles, heart and brain,” states Lina whose personal story is very inspiring. She studied psychology at University and became a psychologist. “I had family issues and was suffering from grief and I found my way to Zumba classes. Dancing helped me get back to mental and physical health. At first, I was just a regular student and then my instructor encouraged me to go further.” She started doing it professionally and became a Zumba trainer. “The training literally changed my life,” she admits, “and teaching a class is like group therapy but instead of talking you move!”

The Physical Health Benefits of Dance

Dancing has multiple physical health benefits. It is good for cardiovascular health; it also increases your energy levels and improves flexibility and mobility, helping with stiffness and pain. “It also helps a lot with posture and keeping the body upright,” expounds Lina. “It retrains the body how to stand especially as we sit for long hours.”

The Mental Health Benefits of Dance

Dancing improves brain health. Multiple research studies prove that dancing has excellent results in minimising stress and reducing depression. Dancing brings us together. “Even people with social anxiety have positive outcomes when they start feeling connected to others. Even if they feel that anxiety in the first place the dancing helps with confidence and socialising,” says Lina. Dancing also helps with memory.

Dancing is an Easy Exercise

“Dancing is an easier activity than running which is exhausting!” Reckons Lina. “Dancing is slower but moves the whole body and you will find you can do it for longer. It’s far easier to dance for 1 hour than to run for 1 hour!” Because of this, she thinks it’s the best way to start an exercise routine.

Find your Dancing Style

“Dancing is recommended for everyone and every age,” encourages Lina. “People need to find their style.” You can dance in couples or groups, do Latin or ballroom, do urban styles, jazz or ballet as well as Zumba.

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