According to a recent article in The Windsor Star published on www.canada.com, there are many benefits to signing up children for ballroom dance lessons. Through dance, children can develop "poise, agility, strength, and coordination."
The article goes on to state:
"And perhaps best of all, dance provides an avenue for children to unfold and expand their creativity.
"Dance is a creative endeavour," says Cindy Pattison-Rivard, artistic director at Nancy Pattison's Dance World. "Even though it's often labeled an art, it's also very much a sport - it's a very intense, yet very fun, form of exercise, offered in a safe, healthy environment."
Pattison explains that dance teaches children proper posture and head and body alignment, all while encouraging a healthy dose of self-esteem and grace. "Dance lessons teach kids respect... it also teaches them discipline, the confidence to set goals."
Dancing, for kids of all ages (and adults too), has been proven to reduce stress, manage weight and increase energy levels, as well as muscle tone. It's also the perfect partner to any sport.
"Dance and sports go hand in hand," says Pattison. "Gymnasts, figure skaters, football players - they all take dance, to increase agility and flexibility. Watching the Olympics this year, it's obvious divers have had to train in some form of dance too."
While dancing can certainly be a very individual sport, Pattison feels that dancers share a sense of community and a genuine love for the arts. So for children who may be shy or withdrawn, dance allows them to find confidence, on and off the dance floor.
"It can be recreational and it can be competitive. And as with any sort of routine activity, it teaches them life lessons - so even if they never grow up to be a competitor on So You Think You Can Dance, they'll have fun and they'll be challenged.""
Click here to read the full text of this article by Anna Cabrera Cristofaro.
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