Belly dancing has a calming effect and reduces stress mainly because the music is so rhythmic and soothing.
Spiritually, homage is paid to the goddess in every woman so it is no wonder that it frees the mind and uplifts the soul.
It is currently very popular as it is good for the body as well as the psyche and belly dancing certainly beats pounding the pavement or working out in the gym.
With regular sessions calories can be burnt and all kinds of muscles firmed up including the thighs and hips, abdominal and even arms. This very authentic form of dance is a perfect cardio workout and has isometric advantages too.
This latest dance craze is so beneficial to women because the movements help soothe the internal organs, helping with digestion and often relieving menstruation problems.
It is also known as a birth and reproductive dance and can be used to assist pregnant women during labor and afterwards in terms of recovering.
Many professionals practicing non-medicinal therapies are incorporating belly dancing into their programs due to its many advantages.
For all of its muscle strengthening and cardio exercises it will never take away the feminine curves of a woman’s body. Another reason for its use is that it can provide balance which is especially important for older women.
The followers of this fitness movement find themselves with a much more positive attitude to life. Many say that it has changed their lives because they are now confident and content.
Although it is a very feminine dance it is also studied by both sexes in the culture of Arabia where men belly dance too.
Two new studies presented at a recent meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine indicate that you might just be able to dance your way to fitness and improved health.
Needless to say, this is great news for people who find traditional workout regimens boring and utterly lacking in entertainment value.
Dancing is an activity that has increased in popularity in recent years.
At the very least, watching dancing on television has positively soared in popularity and shows like “Strictly Come Dancing” and “Dancing with the Stars” have been consistent ratings-busters.
The first of the two studies was conducted on a group of 27 sedentary adults with an average age of 53. The participants, most of whom were women, were invited to a 12-week course on introductory ballroom dancing.
The course covered dances such as the cha-cha, the fox trot and the tango. The classes were designed to occupy normally sedentary time for the participants, with the aim of adding at least 2000 steps to their daily total.
The other study, conducted by researchers in Italy, focused on Salsa and the effect the dance had on the oxygen consumption and the heart rate of the dancers.
The study noted an increase in heart rate between 60% and 75%, coupled with a 50% increase in oxygen consumption, which translated into a pretty good workout.
While both studies established dancing as an effective alternative form of exercise, the researchers were quick to point out that it is important not to lose the benefits of dancing by consuming high-calorie snacks and drinks while partying.
Television shows featuring dancing are more popular than they have been in a long time, and they have spurred a new interest in dancing for fun and fitness.
And for good reason: dancing exercise is a lot of fun, but it is also physically demanding. Still, there is no better way to get fit and have fun at the same time than to dance.
Start by thinking about the kind of dance in which you might like to participate.
Do you want to dance with a partner, or do you want to dance on your own?
Do you want a mostly social style of dance that allows for maximum conversation and interaction, or are you interested in getting a really intense workout?
Do you want something classic like ballroom dancing, or you interested in something more cutting edge, like a Bollywood or Zumba class? Whatever type of dance you are interested in, and whatever type of fitness level you are starting from, you can find a class that works for you.
Once you have chosen a style of dance, it is time to observe some classes to find one that is a good fit for you. Different instructors have different styles, so find one that you think will work well for you.
Ideally the class should be small enough that you can get some personal attention so that you learn to perform the moves correctly and don’t develop any bad habits that can be hard to break later.
If you are choosing a style of dance that requires a partner, you may want a class that is large enough that you will have the opportunity to dance with a number of partners.
Some classes call for special attire, while others don’t. There are a few types of dance that can be performed barefoot, or in regular exercise shoes.
Some types of dance require special dancing shoes, which usually are designed for a combination of support and flexibility, and often have leather soles.
Unless special clothing is specified, choose something in keeping with the spirit of the class. Dancing should be fun after all, and it is far better to wear clothing that makes the experience more fun.
Remember that dancing, although fun, is exercise. If you have not been very active, start slowly and work up to the level of intensity you desire. Remember to stretch after dancing to help keep your muscles limber.
Planning a fitness program may be one of the best things you can do for your health.
If you are aware of your health condition, the goals you want to reach and the exercises that fit well into your life, you should have no problem planning a fitness program that makes you achieve your goal.
If you are planning for fitness program, physical activity can reduce your risk of chronic disease, improve your coordination and balance, improve your sleep habits and self esteem, and help you lose weight.
Many people are afraid to plan the fitness program on their own without a trainer. But often the trainers plan the routines in such a way that you just hate and may feel inconvenient. Therefore you can plan your own fitness program in a right way which suits for you.
Assess your fitness level:
Before planning for a fitness program, assess your fitness level. To assess your fitness level, you record the pulse rate before and after a one mile walk, how long it takes to walk one mile, your waist circumference, your body mass index and how many push-ups you can do at a time.
Plan your fitness program:
Before planning your fitness program, consider your goals. If you are planning to lose weight, your routine will be different from someone who is planning for a 5K race. Different goals have different fitness programs.
If you are just beginning an exercise, start slowly and cautiously. If you have an injury or medical condition, consult your doctor or physical therapist for help designing a fitness program that gradually improves your range of motion, strength and endurance
Give yourself plenty of time to warm up and cool down with easy walking and stretching. There is no need to do the exercise at a stretch. You can do ten minutes of exercise three times a day.
Plan the exercise schedule as with other appointments. You can do exercise on a treadmill or a stationary bike while watching television or when listening to music.
If you are planning for a 5K race but you are overweight, then directly you cannot plan for the 5K race. You have to reduce the excess weight first and then only you have to plan for the 5K run.
If you have multiple goals to accomplish, it is important to consider whether multiple goals can be achieved with the same workout plan. If some goals are similar, such as increasing your aerobic capacity and training for 5K run, they can be accomplished with one program.
If you are planning to lose weight, you have to plan a fitness program with four days of incorporate strength training, cardiovascular activity, and healthy diet with low calories.
Weight loss is a difficult task than training for an athletic event. You should have patience as you cannot see the change immediately.
You have to put more effort for faster results. Select aerobic exercises so that you can enjoy working out more pleasant. Choose the activities which you will enjoy. If you select the exercises which you enjoy, you are more likely to keep doing them.
Some people don’t prefer gym as they want to exercise alone. Some people prefer the social contact during exercise. You think and choose which one suits for you.
If you want to go for strength training, plan to spend in the gym or purchase your own weights for use at home.
If you are planning a fitness program for an event, then calculate how much time is left for the event. According to the time left, you can plan the fitness program. If you are planning for a 5K race, you have to run regularly and participate in 5K run competitions regularly to achieve the goal.
If you want to increase your aerobic capacity or tone up an area of your body, do it slowly to allow yourself enough time to adjust and recover from your workouts
For the aerobic activities, you plan to spend 45 minutes four to five days a week.
By planning the fitness program, you can achieve your goals in half the time. Your body will be stronger and healthy by planning proper fitness program.
Plan the equipment:
Before starting any exercise, plan with athletic shoes. Be sure to pick up comfortable shoes for your foot type.
If you are planning to invest in exercise equipment, choose that is enjoyable and easy to use. You can try different types of equipment at the fitness center before investing in your own equipment. You can also buy used equipment to suit your budget.
Monitor your progress:After five to six weeks of your program, you assess your fitness. By assessing the fitness, you may notice to increase the amount of time you exercise in order to improve much. You may be surprised that you are exercising the right amount of time to meet your goals.
If you are losing motivation, set new goals or exercise with a friend to reach your goals.
Starting an exercise program is an important decision. By planning properly, you can follow the fitness program and establish a healthy habit that lasts for your lifetime.
As Tae-bo is a boxing-based fitness program, the latest fitness crazy Zumba is a dance-based fitness program.
Zumba is an absolutely awesome, invigorating and energetic way to get your heart rate going, burns nearly 1000 calories per hour and completely tones your muscles.
Zumba is basically an hour long class that begins with a warm up. The warm up is usually something to get your heart rate going gradually and the song is usually something very upbeat like something on the top 40 charts.
After the warm-up, the pain begins! The class is non-stop dancing and moving. Not like aerobics where it is repetitive and boring and strenuous. Zumba will have you crawling the next day but while you are doing it you are having the time of your life.
Chances are while you will be gasping for breath, running for the water fountain and praying for the class to end you will still be having so much fun while you are doing it! After moving and dancing and shaking your groove thing for 45 minutes you will most likely have a 5-10 minute cool down. This will be the only time in the entire hour you will know your name. Usually the cool-down is to something pop and hip yet something slower like Coldplay or Ricky Martin ballads.
Partners:
