Dance Classes and the Power of Movement

Dance is a form of communication and therefore an effective medium for therapy. The powerful use of body movements improves the emotional, physical, cognitive and social integration for dancers. Both children and adults can take dance lessons to learn how to perform various dance steps.

Dance classes for kids are great because they can be kept occupied after school. These classes offer many benefits such as improving self discipline, coordination, self confidence, self development as well as helping them to socialize. Children who are introduced to dance at an early age are able to develop a passion for rhythm and movement and a love for the arts.

Very young children such as toddlers and preschoolers can start out with creative movement classes. If your child is four or five years old, consider his or her maturity and personality before enrolling him or her into class. You should not force a shy child to take dance classes if he or she feels uncomfortable about taking them since this may discourage him or her from dancing altogether.

There are many dance genres to choose from and you should find out the genre that fits your child best. Ask your child which dancing style he or she would like to learn. Some of the dance genres that your child can learn include ballet, tap dancing, jazz or funk, hip hop, break dancing, ballroom dancing, folk dancing, lyrical and calisthenics among others.

When deciding which class your child should take, you should also consider the qualifications of the instructors and other factors like safety, travelling time and the available facilities at the dance training venue. You should also consider the cost of the classes, including accessories and costumes your child will have to purchase.

Dance therapy allows dancers to appreciate their bodies as a whole. According to studies, muscle tension often causes emotional and physiological ailments. Dance helps release tension through movement. If you have never danced before, you may find it difficult at the beginning. Dance therapy allows you to dance well without feeling pressurized to achieve flexibility. It offers many benefits including reducing anxiety and contributing to creativity and continuous physical development.

Children who struggle with conditions such as autism and others that affect communication skills can also benefit from dance therapy. The combination of music and dance helps the brain reorganize itself. Dance requires a number of stimulations including music processing, hearing and performing various movements. The repetition involved in learning dance and music enables the brain of a child to create new pathways. Children suffering from autism usually have problems with social interaction but when they engage in dance, they are able to mirror the experience of others and receive the satisfaction one gets from belonging to a group.

Hip hop is an energetic and popular form of dancing. It refers to the social or choreographed dance styles that people mainly dance to hip hop music or those that have developed as a part of the hip hop culture. This dance genre includes many dancing styles that were developed by Latino and African Americans in the 1970s. In order to master hip hop dance steps, it is essential for dancers to engage in lot of practice. The lessons covered in hip hop are designed to be a source of self improvement and entertainment.

Korean pop or K-pop in short is an up and coming musical style in South Korea. Its popularity is spreading to other regions of the world such as Turkey, Mexico, Northeast India and South America. The popularity of the K-pop music genre significantly increased after Psy, a South Korean musician released a single known as 'Gangnam Style'. K-pop lessons are fun and they are an excellent means of working your cardiovascular system and busting stress.

Children who have learning disabilities can benefit a lot from taking dance classes. For one, these classes allow them to have a sense of belonging. Enrolling in dance lessons also gives these children the opportunity to interact with others and helps them improve their focus as well as their reading and interaction skills.

Dancing gives an outlet for kids with development problems to express their feelings. The classes also play an important role in helping them heal because they are a non-verbal form of communication and therapy between children and their instructors. Some of the benefits that children with developmental problems like those associated with down syndrome gain from dancing include improved hearing, improved execution, improved concentration, enhanced processing, improvement in memory and speech and enhanced fine motor skills. After participating in dance classes, children with special needs can gain confidence and join normal children in dancing.