Earlier in this series, we talked about how embodied education positively impacts mental health. In this article, we want to focus on how an embodied philosophy of learning can positively impact physical health, too. Whether your student is interested in dance classes or acting classes, an embodied arts education provides numerous opportunities to build healthier bodies.
Dance Class Benefits
Different types of dance will have different impacts on student bodies. However, most dance disciplines share at least a few benefits. Better Health¹ states that dance lessons:
- Improve muscle tone + overall strength
- Develop essential motor skills
- Improve cardiovascular fitness
- Result in better coordination, balance, and spatial awareness
Recall also that various types of dance will work various parts of the body. For example, ballet classes may use a completely different set of muscle groups than hip-hop classes will. Engaging with different types of dance will help students’ bodies engage with different muscle groups and help improve all of them, over time.
Theater Class Benefits
Acting classes can also be a helpful, productive physical experience. In theater, students learn to embody different characters and accomplish different scenes. Recently, researchers studied whether theater could be used to help with students who experience either a type of weight disorder or a level of body dysmorphia. They found that participation in theater lead to “positive changes in peer communication, improved body satisfaction, increased resilience to comments from others, [and] may be an effective strategy for prevention of weight-related disorders”². So, the benefits of theater for physical well-being may not be as immediately obvious as dance. But they may be longer-lasting and have deeper impact overall.
Are you interested in enrolling your student in theater or dance classes at one of our Olathe, KS locations? Click here to find out more about current class offerings and enrollment.
Sources:
¹https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/dance-health-benefits