The importance of being elegant
Staying fit involves hard work and commitment. Here at Perth Woman, we know you work hard, and we want to reward our fit, focused readers by researching some fun and feminine fitness options. So for Perth women, we would like to introduce you to some of the elegant, graceful dance styles that you can try, for fitness with flow.
Elegance is not normally a word that we would associate with exercise or fitness. Sweat, pain, groaning and fatigue would be closer to the truth for most people. Treadmills, step classes and squash are some of the more traditional ways of keeping fit but where do you start looking if you are seeking an elegant change without losing the intensity? Can fitness really be elegant? It’s time to discover the world of dance fitness!
On folds of flowing fabric, an aerial artist gracefully moves like liquid. She performs graceful yet daring contortion manoeuvers and stunning feats which could be described as ‘ballet on air’. The strength and agility required and developed by the silk training is on par with such elite dance performers as the Cirque Du Soleil.
Imagine yourself climbing, hanging, balancing and twirling like a joyful dragonfly, combined with some courageous drops and high energy spins. The ‘silks’ (also known as tissue) is a dynamic aerial art form which requires good hand strength and plenty of core strength to hold the body in some seemingly impossible suspensions. With a bit of tenacity and a lot of persistence, mastering the silks can be your most elegant physical achievement.
If you’d rather keep your dancing feet on solid ground, you could try the classic dance form of ballroom. Recently ballroom has been made popular again by reality television shows such as ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ If you want to enjoy the nostalgic trip back to the café society of the 30s and to really experience style and elegance in dance, you should not miss ballroom. Dances include the Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot and Quickstep, and are often much more physically demanding than they look. You can experience the charm and the enchantment of touch dance unfolding as you enter into this fascinating and glamorous world filled with sequins and gentlemen. Aside from the obvious social benefits, ballroom dancing provides a unique and graceful change to your cardio program.
Consider yourself a hot chilli woman? For a sexier dance option, going Latin may be the way for you. The dances can be performed as a solo or partnered, (which is the most popular!) Hot and sensual Latin American dances such as the salsa and merengue are guaranteed to send pulses racing. The whole emphasis is on the hip movements, rather than the steps themselves and is a very good exercise for the lower back and abdominal muscles. These dance styles are easily and regularly performed on many nightclub dance floors by some of the most unassuming ladies. A great way to turn up the heat in your exercise regime!
While Latin, ballroom and aerials are certainly graceful, the ultimate in elegance has to be ballet. Often considered the most beautiful of all dance forms, ballet is also one of the most intense and physically demanding. The techniques found in classical ballet are a framework for many other styles of dance, including hip hop dance and jazz ballet. Many ballet classes teach body awareness, music appreciation, core body strength and precise, graceful movement. It is the most disciplined the most expressive, and possibly the most rewarding of all the art forms. It is well accepted that all the ‘great’ dancers of the past and present, gain their ‘flair’ from a strong classical training. This traditional style reinforces posture, suppleness, stretching, balance, alignment and strength.
From the ancient art of ballet we move to the modern end of the dance spectrum, - pole dancing. This funky, feminine phenomenon has proven itself in recent times to be a credible fitness form, and you just need to take a look at the bodies of the ladies that are doing it to see why. Pole dancing provides a full body toning and fat burning workout which increases flexibility and energy levels to literally raise a sexy sweat! Students have reported leaving their classes feeling inspired and comfortable in their bodies, and, best of all, in touch with the beautiful and sensual creatures that we all are. In these strictly women’s only classes, self-judgment, insecurities and self-loathing are stripped away in layers. Women of all shapes, ages, nationalities and career paths are enjoying their newfound upper body and core strength as well as reclaiming their birthright to their own sexiness which I think is long overdue!
Also celebrating femininity is the ancient practice of belly dance. So why belly dance? Why not! Belly dance is all about being comfortable your curves and celebrating ‘all that jiggles.’ With movements wonderfully suited to women, Middle Eastern belly dance is truly unique, and through a supportive and fun learning environment, you can start to improve your posture, flexibility and coordination, as well as build your concentration, confidence and self-esteem and you don’t have to show your belly! Beginner classes cover basic concepts of belly dance, movement patterns and musicality and are great for improving general fitness and flexibility. And for providing all the ‘shimmying’ and shaking you can handle!
The level of strength, control and discipline required to execute the above dance techniques correctly is huge, but the beautiful thing is, it will build as you go and it doesn’t even feel like exercise! So begin your dance fitness journey today and rediscover the natural, feminine flow and movement of your body.
Happy Dancing
Keen to get those dainty feet moving? Here are the magic numbers to call if you wish
to try any of our featured dance styles:
Aerial Silks: Shemoves dance fitness studios - 1300789103.
Ballroom: Gilkison’s - 9325 6566.
Latin: Rapture Salsa Academy - 9487 0024.
Ballet: Dance Venture - 9354 3699.
Pole Dancing: Shemoves dance fitness studios - 1300789103
Belly Dance: Oasis Dance Studio - 9384 8886.
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