Enjoy the Music

Health should be accessible for everyone. If you’re not someone who enjoys going to the gym, you don’t enjoy competitive sports or you just don’t have the motivation to move at all, why don’t you try dance?

Our bodies are precious to us, but we often overlook taking care of them. The push for mental health has somewhat disregarded the connection that our bodies have to our quality of life. Tales to Inspire endeavours to promote accessible, positive movement in both senses of the word. We want to show how everyone, no matter of age, size, ability, background or even work schedule, can feel better through dance.

Dance is free. You don’t need equipment or others. Just you and the music.

How does dance improve your health?

Dance is proven to help the nervous system. There is a muscle in the back called the psoas muscle. This muscle works when your body is in fight or flight mode, therefore when you’re stressed this muscle contracts. If your body is under constant stress this muscle will be tense, which can cause numerous health problems. So, to relax this muscle, you must be relaxed. Dance relaxes this muscle because, when you dance, you move your hips which eases the tension in your hips.

What else do you use when you dance? Your feet. The foot has over 7000 nerve endings. By touching your feet with the element of music it provides you with sensory and touch stimulation, which brings you out of the stressed headspace.

Movement is Medicine

Movement is Medicine UK was set up by Emma Marshall, who researched how the scientific makeup of our bodies can be improved with movement, specifically dance. She organises events with music that has been specifically curated to complement movement. The music played at these events is percussive and rhythmic to promote effective dance. The event space is inclusive for everyone over 10, giving people the feel of a rave without the hangover the next day. She aims to have live DJs play at the dance classes alongside a lesson on the science behind the class. She also teaches her practice to others so they can spread the word.

So, forget what people might think, get dancing.

This article was written by Megan Morris on behalf of Tales to Inspire.