Whatever our age, dancing can have excellent effects on our physical and mental well-being: it helps us maintain good muscle tone, improve flexibility and also good mood, thanks to the release of endorphins which lower stress and anxiety levels. Dancing is good for everyone, but there are people who seem to have a natural inclination towards this activity and practice it effortlessly – while others find it particularly difficult.
The human being’s natural inclination towards dancing begins when the child is just a few months old and begins to recognize music, moving in rhythm with it (it must be said, however, that we are not the only species capable of “dancing” in time to music: other animals, such as elephants and parrots, have also been shown to respond with rhythmic movements to musical stimuli). The sense of rhythm, therefore, is innate and present in all of us – what is it then that makes the difference between a good dancer and a clumsy and not very graceful person?
First of all, there are very specific physical traits that characterize a dancer: those who know how to dance well tend to have smaller feet than normal (up to two sizes smaller than the average) but to be taller (even just a few centimeters compared to the average). There are also other genetic factors that make a person capable of dancing, such as the ability to promote social communication. But these elements, alone, are not enough to create a good dancer: dance requires the integration of music, movement, perception of space – all activities controlled by our brain: in fact, it is precisely here that the effects of years of training are visible.
The brain trains with dance
In addition to natural talent, training plays a decisive role. The constant practice of dance in fact modifies the brain, increasing its plasticity and ability to adapt. During dance, brain areas involved in the memory of movements, the perception of space and muscle control work together to make the steps increasingly automatic: this is the phenomenon of muscle memory.
Dance can do a lot to improve the quality of our life and our well-being: one study has shown how the practice of Argentine tango in Parkinson’s patients can improve their posture and gait, while another highlights how those who have practiced dancing all their lives have less risk of developing dementia in old age. Even if we are not genetically predisposed to dance, we can still try our hand at the activity and give our best – in this way we will have fun and enjoy the numerous benefits that this art can provide.
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