Take the Vervegirl Poll. DO YOU EXERCISE?
Exercise Tips
By Rachel Lockwood
Tired of the treadmill? You’re not alone. Girls everywhere are finding new ways to stay fit and healthy by busting a move. Whether you decide to break out on the floor, join a dance class, or simply turn up the music in your room, new findings indicate dancing can help more than just your figure. .
BODY BENEFITS
Dancing helps tone your entire body without straining your joints like weightlifting. You’ll never use so many muscles—from your fingertips to your toes—while burning so much fat with any other workout! It also improves your posture and balance while increasing stamina and muscular endurance. During classes, while following along with new combinations, you won’t even realize the high intensity of the cardio and strength workout you’re getting. It’s like a two-for-one special! Combining flexibility with muscle toning gives you the lengthy muscles we all admire on our fave celebrities.
But the advantages don’t stop there. “You’ll build mind and body co-ordination, strength and agility as well as combine cardio and endurance,” says Eva, a professional breakdancer who goes by the name of Ms. Maehem. As a member of the Shebang! Crew, she’s danced in music videos and shows for Nelly Furtado and Le Tigre respectively. Eva now teaches at the Street Dance Academy in Toronto (www.streetdanceacademy.com; www.myspace.com/streetdanceacademy).
TWO LEFT FEET?
From ballet to break dancing, there’s a place for everyone. Most dance studios across Canada offer beginner classes to people of all ages, whether in salsa, swing, belly dancing, ballroom, tap, jazz, acro, hip-hop or even clogging. Most community centres, YMCAs, even health clubs, offer dance classes too. Whatever you wish to try, the beauty of dancing is having fun while keeping active and healthy. Dance Fuzion is another hot dance studio in Toronto. With staff such as Annie Wood, one the country’s most acclaimed choreographers, to help get you into the groove with all kinds of styles, there’s no excuse not to give it a shot! Check out www.dancefuzion.com for more details.
VERVEGIRL EXERCISE TIPS
Here are few training tips to help you get that ballerina butt or those swing dancer legs:Lunges: Try adding some flare to your dancing. Change your pattern by throwing jumping jacks, kicks or simple jumps in between each lunge to make combinations.
Stretching: Don’t expect to touch your toes the first time you try. Gradually attempt to stretch a little further each time. A dancer’s secret is to stretch one leg at a time, as long as each attempt goes a little further.
Don’t give up: This goes for those grueling last sit-ups or the impossible last leg kick. A dancer never gives up. Have you ever seen a dance show where the dancer stops because she’s tired? It may seem hard at the time but a little sweat goes a long way!
GET INTO THE GROOVE
If you’re not quite sure what style suits you best, take a look at the hottest moves on TV. With new shows putting the spotlight on dance, you’re able to see all kinds of different styles. Shows to watch are Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance? or MuchMusic’s Bump & Grind and Dance Fever.Then again, what’s better then curling up to our favourite movies? If you’ve already seen the slick Bob Fosse moves in the Oscar-winning Chicago, there are plenty more to choose from. For a little break dancing or street style, check out You Got Served, Honey or the hot new Step Up. If you love salsa, try Shall We Dance? starring Jennifer Lopez. If you want to channel your inner lass, check out some Irish riverdance. Of course, you can also go retro and look for movies such as Footloose and Flash Dance to see what moves are coming back to the stage.
DOCTOR RECOMMENDED
While you’re not going to get a prescription to dance, researchers have learned that all forms of physical activity help keep your body, including your brain, healthy as you grow older. Dancing improves your memory skills while adding a little rhythm to your step.
PRO PASSION
Natasha Louis, a fellow Canadian who’s made quite a name for herself in the dance scene, has danced for everyone from Britney, Madonna, Beyoncé and Janet to the loveable Aaron Carter. “Dancing has been my passion. It has also allowed me to travel around the world and work with my favourite choreographers and even become friends with my favourite celebrities,” says Natasha. “It’s important to stay healthy by eating right and keeping fit.”
Rachel Lockwood is a dance teacher and has worked at Creative Dance in Oshawa, Ontario.
photography: dance class images courtesy of dance fuzion. step up courtesy of buena vista pictures. you got served courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment
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