Why Your Kids Should Learn Ballroom Dance
Article + Photos Courtesy of Susan’s Ballroom Dance
I once had a student who was a young, fresh-out-of-the-box teenager. He came with a chip on his shoulder, a rebellious attitude, and little regard for life beyond his gaming device. He took my summer Etiquette and dance camp. His mother had forced him to attend. By the end of the week, this young man was totally transformed, he even apologized to his mom for his attitude, and ended up winning the Best Dancer award at the camp. How did this transformation happen? -Dr. Susan Quiring, Susan’s Ballroom Dance
Ballroom dancing is a wonderful way to get in shape. This goes past merely benefiting your body. Through ballroom dancing, we can help your child increase their flexibility, range of motion, and stamina. The repetitive motion and movements associated with dancing improves muscle tone, straightens posture, also increases balance and coordination. Dancing is a great social activity, having vast health benefits on self-esteem, stress, and even your BMI. Dance skills help with athletic ability, balance, and coordination. You can apply sports technique to dance.
Not only is dancing a fun way to get much needed physical activity, but ballroom dancing has been proven to promote manners, good posture, social skills, and to boost confidence. For example, we teach how to look someone in the eye and how to ask/accept a dance. This prepares kids for social functions in adult life. An added benefit at Susan’s Ballroom Dance—teens have an opportunity to learn leadership skills if they serve as an assistant at Cotillion and Etiquette Camps.
So – What are the benefits?
Muscle Toning You will most definitely develop more strength and muscle definition as you dance. “I have several students with bad posture. Once I tell them that studies indicate that people with good posture are perceived to be smarter than those with bad posture, they suddenly start working on it,” says Dr. Susan Quiring, Susan’s Ballroom Dance. Good posture also brings more energy, confidence, and way better dancing.
Bones and Joints Since dancing is a weight-resisting activity, it can help protect bone density and prevent osteoporosis. It can also help speed up knee recovery after surgery since it’s a lower impact exercise than jogging or biking. If you have weak knees or are gradually introducing your body to exercise, ballroom dancing is a great low-impact activity that can promote a fit lifestyle while also decreasing your chances of an exercise-related injury.
Flexibility is a major benefit of ballroom dancing. Ballroom dancing itself contains plenty of stretching and bending. Therefore the more you dance, the more flexible you will become.
Dancing with Dr. Susan Quiring has helped to shape the incredible young man that my son is becoming. He has benefited in etiquette camps, classes, dance classes, helping to instruct, showcase practice, and showcase performances beyond any words I have. He has learned to dance but more importantly he has learned patience, concentration, focus, and control. He has been given the GIFT of dance which he in turn gives to others. Performing in the showcase each year has shaped my sons appreciation for hard work, dedication, preparation and given him the ability to focus on his partners well-being as well. We, as parents, could not be prouder of our son’s accomplishments and could not be more thankful to Susan for her guidance, professionalism and support. Our hope is that our son continues to pursue dance throughout his life because it brings him satisfaction and happiness. -Carol, Parent
Brain Food A 2016 study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience concluded that ballroom dancing, as well as other forms of social dancing, can help prevent the onset of dementia. A lifestyle highly infused with partnered dancing can produce even stronger mental health benefits and decrease loneliness.
Improved Memory Your brain gets as much exercise as your body does with ballroom dancing. Dancing combines physical activity, hearing, strategic planning, emotional expression, and creativity. Altogether, this creates better dancing and better memory.
Burns Fat Dancing is a low-impact aerobic activity that can boost your metabolism. In just thirty minutes of dancing, you can burn anywhere between 200-400 calories.
Creative Outlet Ballroom dancing is an amazing creative outlet! After a little bit of practice, you may unlock a beautiful rhythm your body may have been hiding.
Conditioning Engaging in just about any cardiovascular or aerobic activity can help improve your heart health, lower your risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and promote your lung capacity. These full body-conditioning benefits can be elevated by engaging in dance for at least half an hour, four days a week. Your body will thank you for it in the long run!
Endurance Dancing is an effective way to improve general endurance. As the dance sessions get longer and longer, your muscles will be working harder and for a longer period of time. In turn, you will find yourself being able to go on with little to no fatigue.
Social Connectivity Joining a ballroom dance class will expose you to a sea of new people who may potentially share common interests with you. Instead of spending your evenings glued to your television screen, you can engage in uplifting conversations and strengthen your social connections by trying this partnered activity. It’s been proven that being more social can help improve self-esteem, lower stress levels, increase sense of purpose, and promote a positive outlook on life.
Dancing is a great way to learn to connect with other people on a different level. Dance class helps you build friendships and learn to trust other people. Learning the dance steps is challenging and rewarding when you get better each week. I have made friendships in dance that will last me a lifetime. The skills learned in dancing help me with balance, counterbalance, and hand-eye coordination. -Jesse, Student
A Unique Hobby Not a lot of people ballroom dance. Those who can dance are popular and envied. Learning to dance can be the niche that connects your kids to a community, allows them to have fun and grow and develop confidence. Boys who dance discover that they are quite popular with the girls!
Final Thought: Everyone that begins dancing as an adult wishes they had stated as a teenager, or sooner.
*Dr. Susan Quiring, Owner, Susan’s Ballroom Dance, offers weekly dance classes for children/teens, Cotillion & Etiquette Camps, and an annual student showcase. Classes also available for adults in ballroom, country western, and swing. Etiquette seminars also available upon request.