Does anyone dance?

My husband and I went to street vibrations motorcycle rally last September, and we went to a casino that had a live band. We danced all night. The next morning, my legs were killing me.
Kristi Alley that does dancing as her form of exercise.
Marie Osmond lost 20 pounds since she started Dancing with the Stars.
Here is an article that I found on dancing:

With summer and the festive season practically on our doorstep it's the perfect time to get that body in shape. But rather than slogging your way through a cycle session why not try something a little more fun? Dancing is without a doubt one of the best forms of exercise and it's not only effective but enjoyable. Sound good? Check out our list below of the most popular dance styles and get ready to bust a move!

Why is dancing so good for you?
Shaking your booty is a fantastic way to lose weight and tone up because it's a fun cardio workout. You'll be so focused on getting the steps right and having a great time that you'll forget all about the sweat pouring from your brow. "Dancing will target all your muscle groups, lift your mood and widen your social circle", says dance teacher Alexandra Walk. "I believe it's better than running because the classes are different every week so you're being pushed out of your comfort zone which brings fast results."

Classes generally range from beginners to advanced and availability shouldn't be a problem because these styles are all offered at your local gym. Otherwise private studios run their own classes and you can also purchase a DVD if you're up for dancing around your living room.

Spotlight on Latin Dancing: What it's all about?
Latino has become one of the most popular and fashionable styles of dance thanks to singers like Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias. It incorporates the salsa, rumba, mambo and cha cha and is a passionate, intense style of dance.

What are the benefits?
Legs, legs and legs! If your lower body needs some work then Latino dancing or any style of ballroom is your best friend. With all the fancy footwork involved your calves and thighs will reap the benefits as will your back and bottom from keeping your body in line. Latino dancing is great for improving posture and core stability. It's not a physically trying style of dance but some people may find the required co-ordination frustrating. If you persist though you'll not only have something to impress your friends with at your next social do but you'll look great in a short skirt!

What you'll need
A partner (it's a great way for couples to re-connect!) but if you don't come with someone the teacher will pair you up. You'll also need a pair of "character" dance heels or small, ankle strap heels.

Spotlight on belly dancing
What it's all about?
Belly dancing is one of the oldest forms of dance and uses body language to express emotions and sexuality. It focuses on soft, fluid, vibrating movements. Think of your stomach as a snake and your hands as tentacles.

What are the benefits?
If it's a toned stomach you're after then look no further: belly dancing is great for gaining muscle definition around your legs, waist and hips. It's a low-impact exercise which everyone can do regardless of age or body shape and is for women only. It's not one of the most cardio-heavy dance styles, so if you want to lose some serious weight you may need to combine your weekly classes with a few sessions at the gym, but the empowering feeling you get from moving to the music is really uplifting.

What you'll need
A fitted top and loose pants. No shoes are necessary but some people like to wear soft ballet slippers or jiffies. Certain teachers may also ask you to bring a scarf or coin belt to tie around your waist.

Spotlight on pole dancing
What it's all about?
"When a friend suggested I go to pole dancing with her I laughed out loud", says Heidi, 24. "I thought there was no way I'd ever grind around a pole but after she convinced me to give it a go I loved every second! We learnt all the moves (they're really impressive too, you'll be swinging around upside down before you know it!) in a casual, comfortable environment, and it's girls only so we could be as sexy or as subtle as we liked."

What are the benefits?
It's a pretty intense work-out so be prepared for sore arms and hands as your upper body has to support your entire weight. Pole dancing is great for your stomach, arms, and legs but it's not for the faint-hearted. You need a certain degree of mobility to enjoy this class and you have to be prepared to laugh at yourself and persist at the moves. The good news is if you stick it out you'll not only get better but you'll be seriously toned as well!

What you'll need
Gym clothes and sneakers. You can don heels if you want but it's about being comfortable.

Spotlight on jazz/funk dancing
What it's all about?
Think hip-hop, think MTV, think street. Jazz or funk is the coolest style of dance and can burn up to 250 kilocalories! "I have a blast at the classes", says Gina, 27. "We start with a warm-up, then learn a few steps and put them together into a routine. It's a full-on work-out — we jump to the floor and then in the air, do spins and splits. Once we've learnt all the steps we have a dance-off against each other!"

What are the benefits?
You name it, jazz/funk dancing can do it for you. Lose weight, tone up and improve your strength, co-ordination and flexibility. It's such a fast-moving class that after an hour you'll be so pumped you'll feel as though you've done forty minutes on the treadmill! Just be careful if you have weak ankles, knees or a sore back because of all the jumping and floor work.

Younger guys and girls seem to favour this style of dance but all ages can participate. Take a friend along laugh at each others' Gwen Stefani impersonations!

What you'll need?
A bottle of water, loose fitting clothes and sneakers. If you have jazz shoes or boots, bring these along too.

when I was 7 I started with ballet, went to tap and then onto toe. I danced for like 7 years, got to be a teenager and quit. When I was first married we would go dancing every weekend and then the kids came and that kind of stopped.I started bellydancing 2 years ago at age 48 with my three daughters. I like it well enough and it is a good workout. But the teacher and I don't see eye to eye. So I think I will try ballroom dancing with my hubby next. Dancing has always played some part of my life even when it was holding the baby and dancing around to the radio, I think it is one of the best forms of exercise there is.

Hi, well my hubby had rhythm but he's gained a little weight, it my secret idea to get him to exercise with me. lol Hope I can get him to agree. I haven't asked yet if he would like to.

I dance almost every night while a I cook dinner!! I crank up the i-pod and have a blast with my silly moves. It relieves the stress of the day, and my husband says he LOVES to watch me cook!! :bigsmile:

My husband was also involved in competitive ballroom dancing from his late teens to late 20's and to this day, it amazes me that our paths never crossed (it was a pretty small world). Unfortunately for us, we live is a reaaalllly rural area and the nearest metropolitian areas like Oklahoma City or Tulsa that WOULD have some place other than a bar to go dancing is over 90 miles away (95 to OKC and 92 to Tulsa). Granted the old folks may not be able to bust all the moves they did all those years ago but we still enjoy cranking up the tunes and at least attempting to reclaim our glory days:laugh: Now if I only had his kind of dilemna...........namely, why he can easily eat twice as much as I do and STILL be 15 lbs. UNDERweight :sad:

If you ever find that answer. Please let me know. Doesn't that just get ya.

I love the show Dancing with the Stars and dancing like that looks like so much fun! Does anyone take dance lessons or own a dance exercise tape? If so is it a good workout?

Greetings Rani...if you love to dance you may enjoy Bellydance...its a fabulous feminine workout and you don't need a partner...there are live classes everywhere...the most I've paid for a lesson is $15.00 an hour...currently taking lessons once a week for $10 an hour...there are several instructional and work out DVDs available at Amazon.com, if you search dance, there is a sub link to bellydance...I love Neon out of World Dance New York for instruction...most professional instructors have their own websites as well.

I started bellydance for the exercise and fell in love with this art form...it is also a great way to network with other women...I always have a blast at class and there are many events and shows to attend as well.

P.S. My fat dancer photo was taken 20lbs ago...I'm currently at 170 and goal is 120 to 130 or size 6/8...I'm 50 years of age and just a few short years ago I was in great shape...I've found that no matter how much you exercise it is the diet that is most important...I've had to change everything about my diet in order to work towards my goals.

All the best to you,
Sharon

You go girl!!!

I just started taking bellydancing this year and TOTALLY love it. I am planning to start taking 2 classes a week as soon as I can finish my my degree (next june). It is so much fun and as already mentioned you dont' need a partner and it is very sensual. Good for putting you in touch with yourself and having fun at the same time. It is a great workout and times just flies by.

I also really like the quiet control of ballet and wild noisy-ness of tap and will eventually fit those in as well.

Good luck finding something you like! Dance is fab!

I danced at home. I still haven't found a place here in college. As for it being a workout it depends on the type of dance and the teacher. My first school wasn't much of a workout at all. It was easy and really relaxed. My second school I took a hip hop and jazz class and it was more intense. We did ab work and push ups beforehand to build up muscle for the types of dance we did. If you are looking at a studio I would sit in on a class and see how it looks. They are all different.