Why you should dance more often

Dancing should really be taught at school given its many positive effects on our wellbeing. Dancing clearly keeps you fit. After all, dancing means moving your whole body. It works various muscles all at the same time, raises your heart rate and boosts your stamina. However, the benefits go far beyond physical fitness.

Studies show dancing can also help to prevent dementia. When we memorise steps, translate rhythm into body movements and, in some cases, have to coordinate these with a partner, our brain has to work quite hard.

Less stress, less pain

Dancing enhances our mental wellbeing too – and not just because of the social element involved. Dancing reduces the stress hormone cortisol, while at the same time releasing happiness hormones. Shaking a leg is good fun – pure and simple!

It can even lead to pain being felt less acutely, as choreographer Marion Halil has found: "When I come into a dance hall, I forget all about the pain." Due to a rare bone disease, the 33-year-old from Vaud had to develop a new dance style that focusses on her upper body and puts less strain on her feet. Despite the doctors' doubts, she never stopped dancing: "Dancing gives me so much energy – it's a great comfort and support." For her, dancing is about communication: "I find it much easier to convey my feelings with movements than I do through words."

Love on the dance floor

Annabarbara Kiliani also finds dancing a very emotional experience. After all, she fell in love with her current husband doing the Lindy Hop. "At first it worked between us on the dance floor, and then later on in life too." Today, the couple dance several times a week and are familiar faces on the Lindy Hop scene. Swing music has become a way of life for her – as soon as she hears the sounds begin to play, her feet start to tap. "Sometimes while strolling around town, we stop in front of street musicians and just start dancing. I would never have dared to do that before," reveals the 35-year-old. Swing has boosted her self-confidence.

Dedication and discipline

Andrei Cozlac has dedicated his entire life to dancing. His father sent him to a dance boarding school in Bucharest at the tender age of nine. He had done no ballet at all prior to that. However, the spark was quickly ignited. His ambition and talent earned him a place in the main company of the Zurich Opera House at the age of 20, and later took him to Geneva. Then the COVID-19 pandemic brought a stop to performances. Cozlac began studying dance, and today the 33-year-old Romanian teaches ballet and yoga at "Tanzwerk 101", a dance school that belongs to the Migros Club School. "I never judge my students on their ability. When they put their whole heart into it and give off positive energy, it brings me such joy." Cozlac has set his next goal: he wants to reach the same professional standard in yoga as in ballet – he fully appreciates the dedication and discipline required as a professional dancer.

These personal stories underline how dancing is a great way of connecting with yourself and others. It may even be the key to a more fulfilling and happier life. May we please?