International Dance day

Health Benefits of Dancing

International Dance day

29th April is celebrated as International Dance Day in all over world. So, how can we forget to talk about Health Benefits of Dancing. 

Dance being an integral part of every culture, is performed widely all over the world. There are lots of different forms of dance and people are following their culture, used to do it for thousands of years.

Have you ever had a question that, why dance has given so much importance? 

Here is the answer.. 

People are used to practising different types of dance like Ballet,Hip hop,Salsa, Break dance, Jazz, free style and the most famous all Indian Classical Dance. 

As per study’s results, published in Research Quarterly for exercise and sports, reveal that about 35% of girls and 8.4% of boys report dancing as the part of their regular physical activities.

Dance (नृत्य) according to Hinduism

The word 'Nritya' has been derived from the original Sanskrit word 'Nrit'. Dance is one of the mediums of realising beauty, with 'Taal" and 'laya' (rhythm and harmony) for the realisation of aesthetic joy, Shiva, the originator of dance is the lord of Dance, Shiva is therefore also said to be 'Nataraj' . 

He was the first to bring down music from the heaven to the earth to teach this art of dance to the people. India has wide variety of traditional classical dances - Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak. Kathakali, Odissi, and Manipuri etc. 

Health Benefits of dancing

• Helps to manage weight 
• Makes bones and cartilages more stronger 
• Improves focus  
• Improves coordination and increase flexibility 
• Makes muscles more toned and strong 
• Increases self confidence and improves social skills 
• Makes heart and lungs stronger
• Improves blood circulation hence a good amount of oxygen reaches the brain.

If we particularly talk about Bharatnattyama (भरतनाट्यम्) the most famous Indian classical dance. There are lots of Mudras (Hand Movements) in it. Which have a lots of significance

Like..

1. Trishul Mudra (The Trident Mudra)

It is similar to Varun Mudra. Balances water level in the body. Prevents inflammatory pain

2. SimhaMukha Mudra (The Lion face Mudra)

It is similar to Apan Mudra. It helps to regulate proper movement of Apan Vayu. Prevents constipation and Piles.

3. Kartari Mukha Mudra ( Scissor )

It is similar to Prana Mudra. It helps to regulate the natural movement of Prana Vayu. Prevents eye diseases, increases eye power, improves vision

4. Hamsaasya Mudra (The swan Mudra)

It is similar to Gyan Mudra. Increases memory and concentration power. 

5. Mayuram Mudra (The peacock Mudra)

It is similar to Surya Mudra. It helps to regulate the Agni Mahabhoot (Fire Element). Regulates weight, sweating and temperature of the body. Decreas es cold

Other Health Benefits of Bharatnatyam

1. Beauty

The real beauty comes from within 

Dancing helps to release the Happy Hormones which gives a good happy mood.

There are lots of facial expressions through movements of eyes, eyebrows, lips, neck etc. It increases muscle strength. Provide good exercise to facial muscles and tissues. Which in turn gives glowing skin and graceful eyes.

2. Healthy Heart and Brain

Increases blood circulation and oxygen supply. Makes the muscles of the heart stronger. It also affects more areas of the brain. Helps in improving tissues,improves quality of brain cells. Helps in better development of the brain.

3. Increases stamina

It contains lots of movements and postures which are practised and need to be held. It increases muscle strength and boosts stamina also.

4. Increases concentration

In this dancer have to remember different mudras, karanas, hastas etc along with different rhythm, steps, beats, expressions. It improves mental skills.

5. Improves Balance

It contains different posture, body movements, Karanas etc. By practising them it gradually helps to improve balance of the body. 

So, let’s start practising dance from today!!