Learning ideas for May 25-29: Interesting Dancing Facts!

Hi Dancers! Time is going by fast! I know our dance show would have been this week and you may be feeling disappointed. I definitely miss the fun that we had putting it together to showcase your incredible talent. Dance your heart out sometime this week whether you take an online class or just put on some music in your room and dance around. I send you all a big hug 😊

Interesting Dancing Facts!

• Dancing is very beneficial to your health. It lowers the chances for heart and blood vessel diseases, improves posture and weight, reduces stress and tension, improve brain function because of constant presence of music, and can improve relationship between dance partners.
• Because of the need to maintain strict head position while dancing, doctors often prescribe use of dance for those patients that need to develop their peripheral vision.
• Because of high physical demand on their bodies, most professional dances retire from dancing during their mid-30s.
• Famous modern dance Cha-Cha originated from Cuba.
• Famous energetic ballroom dance can-can (or cancan), which is performed by the row of female dances in long skirts originated form 1830s Paris ballrooms.
• Origin of tap-dancing comes from the tribal dances of African slaves. Their arrival in North America introduced that dance to the western audiences.

• Dancing with metal tap shoes became popular in United States during 1920s and 1930s. One of the most famous tap-dancing performers of that time were Nicholas brothers, who were instrumental into bringing that style of dance into Hollywood movies.
• Famous movie stars such as Fred Astaire, Ray Bolger and Gene Kelley used tap-dancing to enchant the minds of the worldwide audience with great success.
• Hindu religion has very close relationship to dance and music. This connection can most visible be seen in their countless Bollywood movies that all celebrate dancing.
• One of the dances that managed to completely change the landscape of dance history is polka! This energetic dance that was focused for young women that liked to jump, hop and turn swept across the world in mid-19th century.
• Dancing represent great physical exercise for the people of all age. It can be safely practiced from the age of 2 to 102!
• Many historical waves of dances were perceived as the "destructors" of the old way of dance. Examples of that can be found in the 1920's Charleston and the era of Rock music.
• First ballroom dance that was ever created is Italian Viennese Waltz.
• One of the reason that ballroom dancing is starting to return into popularity is because famous TV competition show "Dancing with the Stars".
• African slaves that were brought in Brazil 300-400 years ago were prohibited from practicing martial arts. Therefore, they developed the mix of dancing and fighting that is known today as capoeira.
• Breakdancing was first created as a "less lethal" form of fighting between warring African-American street gangs in 1970s Bronx area of New York City. This form of dancing re-emerged into worldwide popularity during 1990s.
• Dance marathon competition started as early as 14th century England. They reached height of their popularity in the bloom of US entertainment expansion during 1930s depression era. Some competitions were performed in the 22 day long marathons.
• The most sensual dance of modern times is without a doubt a Tango. It originated from 1890s Argentina, but it quickly became very successful in Europe.

Information by: http://www.dancefacts.net/

My favorite dance video this week: Shakira and JLo Dancing during the Super bowl Halftime show!

Here are some free workouts:

1. Here is a great 10 minute cardio blast to get your heart rate going and your endorphins 

pumping. Join Anna Renderer for this at-home cardio workout (length 11:10).

2. This is a HIIT workout and fitness dance combined into one. Enjoy this 20 minute upbeat dance workout (length 21:58).

Free online classes:

1. Join Kate Price at London's contemporary dance school for a full contemporary dance technique class (length 1:13:57).

2. Choreographer Chris Bonus from Harbour dance centre for a Hip Hop class to Justin Bieber's acoustic version of Intentions (length 17:58).

3. Join Craig Hempstead for this online Stretch and Strength for dancers class. This class can be done in your bedroom, backyard, living room or wherever you can find room (length 1:10:40). 

4. Train like a Ballerina with Louisa Paterson in this stretching, strengthening and conditioning dance class. This class will help you maintain your strength during this difficult time being away from the dance studio (length 52:24).