Partnered dancing is so much more than an opportunity for physical exercise

‘Dance is one of the most perfect forms of communication with infinite intelligence’

PAULO COELHO

You don’t have to be a fan of TV dance shows to appreciate that movement to music is good for fitness. Those breathless competitors awaiting the judges’ scores aren’t just nervous – they’re genuinely puffed out after a mentally and physically demanding number. But partnered dance – be it ballroom, Latin, the Lindy hop or Irish sets – has many benefits to offer besides a physical and cognitive workout. Among them are its ability to nurture trust, develop understanding, increase cooperation and deepen the relationship of each dancing duo, be they romantic partners, friends, siblings, colleagues or, to start, strangers. It also offers a non-verbal means of communication and an opportunity to learn how to compromise and overcome conflict. Who knew there was so much going on in a waltz, samba or foxtrot?

Full-body fitness First, though, there are those well-known physical benefits. Partnered dancing – as with all forms of dance – involves stretching, flexibility, core strength and stamina, as well as awareness of posture and frame. Many styles are low-impact but still weight-bearing, so are beneficial for bone health, while some, such as the Charleston, salsa, Argentine tango and contemporary dance, also include higher-impact lifts and twists, which give a greater boost to aerobic capacity and strength. And all forms of cardiovascular exercise help to lower blood pressure, strengthen the heart, control blood sugar, maintain weight and boost the immune system.