Dancing is a mix of art and exercise which connects the mind and body, and makes one sharper and stronger.

Though dance had long been seen by parents only as a co-curricular addition something that the child stops learning or practicing in higher classes the spurt of dance movies and new age career options

Here are five reasons students should join a dance school as noted by famed Choreographer and Artistic Director Shiamak Davar:

1. It lets you engage in an art form:

Dance is a holistic activity for the mind, body and the soul. It aligns all these, and the participants are then more aware of their strength and weaknesses giving them an opportunity to identify them and work on them.

2. It’s a stress buster

Music in itself is therapeutic. Dance is a physical interpretation of what the music says. It is a great way to release energy, shed inhibitions and let your emotions out. When you dance you sweat, and you release feel good’ endorphins that make you happy.

Good music, good dancing is a great way to be in a happy state of mind. The teaching pattern is interactive and communicative ensuring that the learning process is fun and stress-free.

Dance has the ability to heal. For me, health is a state of mind and fitness is a way of life. A fit body homes a healthy mind. This is the most important health benefit of dance — it aligns the mind, body and spirit.

3. For personality development:

Participants are encouraged to learn in a healthy environment where no one is judged. My motto has always been Have Feet. Will Dance.’ Therefore, each student is given equal attention and the entire group grows together.

4. To positively channel your energy:

Using dance as a medium of physical activity and creative medium, this programme aims at channelizing their energy in a resourceful manner. This is where the art of dance and the performing arts help develop skills, knowledge, and understanding.

The expert faculty is personally trained by me and specializes in teaching participants of all age groups, understanding their individual requirements and ensuring that they learn in a fun and friendly environment.

5. To make fitness a lifestyle:

Dance helps improve overall fitness, endurance, muscle toning and strengthening. It involves cardiovascular/ aerobic fitness, core and strength training and stretches for flexibility. Students work together in a group and this sense of team spirit encourages them. Different styles of dance are also different forms of work out. While ballet works completely on inner strength, balance and posture, Hip Hop/Bboying have exercises that require stronger arms and legs.

Even Indian classical dance forms are strenuous workouts for the quadriceps with all the squats. For students learning the Shiamak Style of contemporary, the workout includes a combination of plies, abdominal exercises and stretches. Dance requires a lot of stamina which ensures the body is agile and light.

Any activity that you engage in needs to become a part of your regular schedule to really experience and appreciate its impact.