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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : July 7, 2014 4:59 PM IST
Everyone knows dancing is a great exercise, so this summer we're taking that idea one step further and looking at opportunities to learn and practice various dance styles wherever you may go. This time, a look at West Coast Swing, which is hitting Europe and the greater US by way of Los Angeles. Characterized by languid sensuality, West Coast Swing is a six-sometimes-eight beat Lindy Hop derivative partner dance that grooves to the tunes of R&B, pop, rock, hip hop and blues.
Thought to have been formalised at the Arthur Murray Dance Centers in Los Angeles approximately 50 years ago, it became known as the 'State Dance of California' before social media exposure brought it to rapid international renown. Even if you don't have any plans to travel to California this summer, opportunities to learn and enjoy West Coast Swing have cropped up all over the world in recent years and are becoming more numerous. A chance to dance in the summer breeze could be closer than you think and contrary to popular belief, you don't need a partner, although couples are always welcome.
Most lessons are formatted by rotating participants so that everyone has a chance to dance with each other, making it possible to get to know your classmates and adapt to different learning styles and techniques. On its WCS Global website, the Canadian association describes the ambiance of social dances in accordance with the unofficial international code of conduct, saying that it's customary to invite and accept invitations from participants, noting that there's no reason to be intimidated, or overly eager.
Here are some dance workouts to help you lose weight
Zumba
You may have heard about this dance workout but if you are wondering what exactly this is, here's the dope. Zumba is essentially a swift dance which helps your body get more flexible whilst toning it. according to Janvi Doshi, a Zumba dance instructor, 'Dance movements are done at a slow, medium and fast pace on songs with swift beats. It can help you lose fat and with the right diet can even help you lose weight. 45 minutes of Zumba every day is good enough.'
She further adds, 'Zumba helps in improving blood circulation, improving your coordination, stamina and heart rate and is good cardio workout for the complete body.'
What's more? Even people with back and knee problems can do Zumba safely and you don't really have to be a dancer to try this workout. It mixes various other dance forms such as salsa, meringue, hip-hop, etc to make things more interesting. Learn more about Zumba here.
Belly dance
Belly dance, which originated in middle-eastern countries, has enthralled the world with its moves and melodious songs and its usage in pop culture and movies has further enhanced its popularity. The sultry pelvic movements, the swivelling hips and the rhythmic belly movements, all make up for a visual treat; now add the fact that it could also help you shape-up, and you have a fitness workout that is both fun and sensuous.
Unbelievable but true, it can also help strengthen your abdominal core muscles, impart body awareness and relieve back pain. Since the moves involve isolation of body parts, they improve the flexibility of muscles, and lengthen and strengthen the entire column of spine in a gentle manner. Belly dance is catching up as a fitness workout in the country and today, one can find various dance and gym studios that offer it to their female patrons. Many first-timers feel shy exposing their midriff and shaking those hips to the beat but once they get past the initial few classes, it is only fun, sweat and a lot of dirty dancing that remains. Read more about 8 dance workouts to help you lose weight
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With inputs from AFP
Image source: AFP
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