How Dancing Can Improve Your Mental and Physical Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has us all going stir-crazy, especially since gyms are closed.

But dancing is one form of exercise we can all do in our homes to stave off cabin fever and improve our mental and physical health.

"[Dance] is a tremendous stress reliever and it's an amazing emotional release," said Cara Viana Hollenbeck, a teacher with Embody dance in Northern Colorado, in our "Tuned In to NoCo" interview. "Our bodies are incredibly wise and they have the capacity to process our emotions through movement. Dance is one of the great ways to let you unwind that."

For Hollenbeck, one of the best things about dance is the freedom it allows. Being a professional dancer is not a requirement to enjoy the sport.

Sometimes, just moving around to your favorite song is enough to not only benefit your health, but to also make a big impact on your life.

"I was at a retreat and it was two weeks after I had a miscarriage. I hadn't moved a lot since then," said Hollenbeck. "The dance began...and I fell in love with my body again. I just had these happy tears streaming down my face. I see people come in [to dance class] and have a beautiful release or realization that comes to them."

Whether you've had a similar intense experience or you're just tired of sitting on your couch, dance can bring something to the table for everyone.

To learn more about the benefits of dance, Embody, and other wellness tips, listen to the full "Tuned In to NoCo" interview with Cara Viana Hollenbeck below.

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