Dancing the Weight Away

Many years ago, (about twenty, I suppose) I recall watching a television show on PBS that focused on the health and agility of male ballet dancers. I have to be honest, I’m not a big fan of ballet and I know very little about it, but I do recall one aspect of the program that made a big impression.

The producer of the show took a few of these men to a local gymnasium and had them play basketball. It was incredible to watch these men — who were less than six feet tall — gracefully floating through the air, slam-dunking the ball into the hoop without the appearance of effort.

It’s ironic that the average Neanderthal would view these experts of their craft as weak — even frail — when the exact opposite is so clearly true. The study of ballet (and practice of it, too, of course) helps a person to maximize their strength and flexibility. So much so that these athletes gain abilities that rival professional athletes in distinctly different arenas.

That may not sound so incredible, but think about the flip-side… Imagine your proto-typical power forward from basketball, linebacker from American football, or soccer goalie donning a pair of tights and attempting to emulate a ballet dancer. Quite an image, huh?

Now I’m not suggesting that each one of us fighting the Battle of the Bulge should take up ballet, I’m certainly not going to do so, myself, however, dance — as an exercise — has hit the press of late, and in a big way.

Foxnews.com recently reported a story (from Associated Press) that not only suggests that people consider dance as an alternative to “traditional excercise”, but they also have interviewed several people who have benefited in a big way.

According to exercise physiologist Cedric Bryant, dance as a form of exercise is a trend that has gained a great deal of momentum. Mr. Bryant, also a vice president with the American Council on Exercise, explains that people are looking for a “more engaging alternative to the traditional workout.”

Bryant points out that dancing provides a workout for the whole body, is low impact and easy on the joints. Add to that the music of your choice and your favorite partner, and you’re really starting to move. Jerry Nash, age 46, was carrying 260 pounds on his 6′ 1″ frame.

The stress of the weight precluded jogging, because of his knees. So Mr. Nash signed up for a conditioning and stretching class at “Dance 101″ in Atlanta, Georgia. He moved on to several different styles of dance classes and one year later has lost an incredible 55 pounds. As an added benefit, a recent check of his blood pressure came in at a healthy 110 over 60.

Dance is a great weapon to keep in your arsenal as you wage war on unwanted fat. You can dance in the privacy of your own home at any time, day or night. The ability to be flexible with scheduling is very important as we try to establish a new habit.

Another benefit is that you can partner up with someone whose company you enjoy. Exercising with someone adds a degree of accountability that helps any regimen to be a success.

New York dance therapist Jane Wilson Cathcart, LMSW, ADTR, CMA, has some suggestions that can make dance more comfortable for a beginner:

—Look for a good teacher who emphasizes what you can do, not your limits.

—Don’t be a perfectionist about it.

—Don’t worry about your size. Dance is for everyone.

—Get into the music, as well as the movement.

Remember, the basic key to losing weight or losing fat is that you simply need to burn more calories that you consume. This is a fantastic way to fuse the music that you love with the exercise that you need. Dust off those old Bee Gee’s albums and give a new meaning to “Stayin’ Alive”!

References: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,160965,00.html, http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,182919,00.html

Michael Callen is the author of the Weekly Weightloss Tips Newsletter (http://www.weeklyweightlosstips.com) and the Chief Technology Officer for WellnessPartners.com (http://www.WellnessPartners.com), an online retailer of dozens of health and wellness products such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), r+ alpha lipoic acid (R+ ALA), and green tea extract.

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