Everybody dance now!

“All right, dahlings. Today, we’re not just shaking our bootie and boobies; we’re dancing with our heart and soul. Let’s go!”. My first Zumba class started off with a bang, as instructor Peter – dressed in tiny neon-pink bike shorts and a mesh tank top – launched into a series of sensual hip rolls to Doja Cat’s ‘Woman’. More of a weightlifting and boxing kind of girl, I had joined my friend as a bit of a joke, but as soon as we started moving, I felt energized; sexy even. The next morning, waking up feeling utterly amazing – my muscles deliciously sore, my soul uplifted, just like Peter had promised – I wondered: what is so magical about moving to music? What does dancing make us feel so damn good?

First of all, we are born to do it. Babies just love a beat. Researchers have discovered that infants respond to the rhythm and tempo of music, even finding it more engaging than speech! In the words of anthropologist Judith Lynne Hanna: “It is as human to dance as it is to learn, to build, or to fight”. Neuroscientists even came up with a rather juicy way to describe the synchronization of music and movement: ‘pleasure double play’. Sounding like a must-try sexual position, it actually means that while music stimulates the brain’s reward centers, dance activates its sensory and motor circuits. Which explains why some of us who barely survive 20 minutes on a treadmill, can dance for hours and hours at a party (in heels, nonetheless).

Speaking of running on a treadmill; not only is dancing less boring, it also includes a much broader range of movements. These strengthen the smaller muscles that are often neglected by repetitive aerobic exercises such as jogging or biking. On top of that, dancing requires specific moves and quickness – think samba, flamenco, and yes, twerking – which helps you develop agility: the ability to turn and move quickly when necessary. Not surprisingly, even big hulking football players are now taking dance classes to improve their footwork and agility on the field. A great sense of balance is another benefit of dancing, especially as we age. According to a study in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, tango dancing helped improve balance in older adults much more than walking sessions did. There was no mention of it in the study, but I’m assuming the tango dancers also had a hell of a lot more fun.

So yes, dancing is amazing for the body, but let’s look a bit closer at the benefits for the brain. To learn new steps, we activate parts of our brain that control coordination, imitation, quick decision-making and spatial judgment, initiating fresh connections between nerve cells. Improving our memory and mental agility, we can even reduce our risk of developing dementia by 76 percent if we frequently dance, while doing weekly crosswords will only get us 47 percent, as a recent study proved. And that fabulous post-Zumba mood I was in? According to health psychologist Kelly McGonigal, as soon as we begin moving, our brain releases a marvelous cocktail of dopamine, adrenaline, and endorphins, causing a powerful and lasting effect she calls ‘energized optimism’. Moreover, endorphins are bonding chemicals, helping us connect with those around us, making us feel ‘less lonely and more empowered’, according to Kelly. No wonder I felt like giving every woman in class a big, sweaty hug towards the end! Peter was right: dancing is something we do with our heart and soul. And our gorgeous booties, of course.