Why You Should Try Cardio Dance Right Now

For as long as I can remember, I have danced. Not in a structured way or a classical style, but in a raw, real and jubilant way. As a little girl in a small town in South Carolina, my friends and I all took dance classes. I just happened to love it. As I grew up, I began to understand that I craved the sweat, the collaboration and connection with friends, and my own music-infused movement.

Dancing stimulates us physically, mentally and emotionally. Simply put, it makes us feel good. By releasing more endorphins than other form of aerobic exercise, dancing is a natural mood elevator, creating a sense of happiness and joy. Dance allows us to not only express but also release repressed emotions, and it can be quite liberating and even cathartic.

Most other forms of exercise, like running, cycling and hiking, use a forward and backward motion. When we dance, we move in all directions, improving our spatial awareness and enhancing our proprioception. Lateral movements in particular help us build stronger stabilizer muscles surrounding our joints, keep those joints mobile and lubricated, and aid in our longevity.

Blackberry Mountain Cardio Dance

Dancing is also an incredible workout for the brain. Our cognitive function is greatly enhanced through learning new choreography and synchronizing our movement with a partner or teacher. It’s a great way to practice mindfulness without attending a silent retreat or sitting down for a daily meditation. In a time when we need the opportunity to step away from our phones, laptops and constant notifications, we can instead stay connected with our bodies through the purity of movement.

All one needs for a Cardio Dance class at the Mountain are a pair of sneakers, a lighthearted attitude and a water bottle. It is a high cardio, music-infused class meant to raise the heart rate, improve the mood and move the body.

– Meghan Henley, Blackberry Mountain Wellness Manager