My friend, who once claimed to have “two left feet,” is now a choreographer running dance workshops in Dubai! The transformation made me reflect on something my biology teacher once taught me about the brain: neurons. These nerve cells send signals throughout your body, enabling everything you do—from walking to expressing your emotions. In fact, how you respond to happiness or sadness is guided by these very neurons.
Here’s the interesting part: learning, particularly learning how to be happier, actually happens when new neural connections are formed. Every time you do something that makes you smile or feel joy, your brain strengthens these connections. The more you practice, the more those pathways solidify. It’s no surprise, then, that as you keep dancing, you begin to move more fluidly and—yes—smile more too. The connection between movement, happiness, and health is real, and I’m here to show you how it works.
Dance: A Path to a Happier Life
You can train your subconscious mind, which is guided by these neural pathways, to choose spaces and activities that bring you joy. It’s all about patience and pushing yourself to strengthen those connections. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that music has a powerful effect on our emotions. The vibrations of music touch your very bones, and whether or not you’re a dancer, the rhythm can inspire you to move—sometimes as simply as clapping your hands in time to the beat.
At Ronchez Fitness, we create spaces where wellness and good music are the only priorities. So, why should you consider dance fitness?
- Defy Aging
As we age, our bodies go through inevitable changes—our memory can slip, flexibility fades, and our ability to perceive space and movement can decline. But here’s the beauty of dance: it improves coordination, posture, alignment, and mobility. Plus, it strengthens muscle flexibility and keeps your brain “on its feet,” helping to slow down the aging process. Not only will you feel younger, but dancing increases blood flow, delivering more nutrients and detoxifying your skin cells. It’s like an anti-aging workout, inside and out. - Mirrors Don’t Lie
Show me a dance studio without mirrors, and I’ll walk right out! Mirrors give us the chance to appreciate the body we live in—the one thing you have 99% control over (the other 1%…well, that’s aging). It’s empowering to stand in front of a mirror, see your progress, and celebrate what your body can do. - Mental Health Benefits
Imagine the positive impact on your mental health when you learn a routine or follow along with an instructor’s movements. In today’s world, there’s growing awareness around mental health, and we’re finally acknowledging the different ways it can affect us. A client once shared a study showing that while other workouts can improve symptoms of depression, dance emerged as the best therapy. Trust me, I know it’s true—I was the kid dancing in church, and I felt the joy in every movement.
Move how you like!
If you’ve attended one of my sessions, you’ve likely heard me say: You don’t have to move exactly the way I do. A dance fitness class isn’t about perfect choreography. How you move doesn’t really matter, as long as you’re in sync with the music and following the instructor’s guidance.
Most of the moves are repetitive, which gives you the flexibility to adjust them to your own style and comfort level. Remember, the goal is for you to have fun!
At the end of each class, I teach simple choreography to reinforce an important message: when you take control of your mind, you can change your body’s response to movement. With the right mindset and guidance, you’ll start dancing your way to better health and happiness. And those “two left feet”? They don’t stand a chance!
The Power of Dance for Longevity
Strong social connections are one of the key factors that contribute to a long and healthy life. And guess what? Dance fitness communities are a fantastic way to build and maintain those connections. Whether you’re catching up with friends or meeting new people, the more you move, the easier it becomes to form bonds and stay engaged with others.
While strength training builds muscle, dance fitness offers its own unique benefits—it helps you stay flexible and resilient, which reduces the risk of injury and keeps you moving with ease. This is especially important as you age, helping you keep up with friends and meet new people. For me, one of the best ways to improve longevity is by regularly and safely pushing your body to its limits. The more you challenge yourself through intense dance fitness sessions, the stronger your vital organs—your brain, lungs, heart, kidneys, and liver—become.
Remember: “Self-love is not selfishness.”