Getting started with Latin Dancing
Latin dance is officially having a moment and the reason why it has become extremely popular in the US. Dance and music go hand-in-hand, so the rise in popularity of Latin artists, such as Price Royce, Pit Bull, Romeo Santos and Marc Anthony, in US mainstream music has helped to push Latin dance to the next level. As well as being a great way to let loose, Latin dancing can help you achieve some serious levels of fitness, too. ‘Some styles of dance require lots of energy,’ like Sala or Merengue is good for cardio, whereas Bachata is more about balance, control and core strength. But whatever style you choose, it will be good for you, as it gets you moving – and that’s always a really positive thing.
‘Latin dance helps with muscle toning, co-ordination, flexibility, cardiovascular health and weight-loss to name a few’ says medical experts. It also tests your brain power, as you have to carefully watch the teacher and commit a set of steps to memory. Plus, it has serious wellbeing benefits. Dancing increases the levels of endorphins in the body, sometimes referred to as “happy hormones”.. For this reason, dancing can help lift your mood and combat depression.
Crucially, just have fun and don’t stress about getting it wrong. Everyone is a beginner at some point….
Like anything, when you do it for the first time, it can feel a little daunting. If you’re not sure which style to try, search through YouTube and watch some videos to find one you like.