Does dance affect your posture? Bursting myths about bad posture

A lot of people have been asking me that will dance affect my posture, and I wondered what are the main reasons to fix it. I have been learning Bharatnatyam for the last 20 years and I did not see any problem with my posture.

Actually, dance DOES NOT affect your posture. In turn, it strengthens your core muscles and helps to increase flexibility in the body. Moreover, dance is a great cardio exercise that aids in weight loss and gives you a toned and graceful look. In short, dance is a great way to fix your poor posture. 

A bad posture can be a result of several things. In the further article, we’ll understand the main cause of bad posture and how to fix it.

What causes poor posture?

There are a number of reasons that affect your posture, medical conditions like lordosis or kyphosis are responsible for a bad posture. Let’s not get into detail about what these things are. But there are some bad habits or poor lifestyles that can hamper your posture and can cause a problem in the future.

One of them is a bad sitting position while working. When your home and office chairs are not enough ergonomically correct there are chances of having a bad posture.

However, Some offices have a system of standing while working, which develops core strength, that can be a better way to deal with bad posture but, what to do about slouching while working on a computer?

The second thing is performing the workout wrong. If you are working out or going to the gym or working out at home, it is highly important to understand the ideal position of your workout. Unnecessary movements mean you are working on the wrong muscle group and your targeted muscles are not gaining strength.

 That’s why, It is not important what or how much exercise you are doing, It is important how you are doing. Whether it is 10 reps, do them correctly. A bad workout or performing wrong and unnecessary movements while exercising can result in a bad posture. 

And the third and most important thing is whether you are a dancer or a non-dancer, are sitting or sleeping in the wrong position. Uncomfortable back support while sitting in a chair or couch or a bad pillow while sleeping may result in a bad spinal position and result in bad posture. This not only affects your look but is a result of injuries and deformities in the future. 

Benefits of dance to improve your posture

This is a beautiful art of movement. Dance is always has become a blessing for humankind and we must preserve it. Dance not just improves your body but also touches your soul. Regular dance practice is a great way to improve your mental health. By releasing happy hormones the cortisol dance elevates your mood and a sense of satisfaction. Dance is indeed a great workout to improve your stamina and aids in weight loss.

Apart from other things, dance improves your core strength and increases flexibility in muscles. A good dance workout contributes to strengthening your muscles and helping to burn fat. Good postures and graceful dance poses are 

You all must see grace and elegance in dancers which enhance their beauty. 

Why is Core strength necessary?

Our core muscles are attached to the spine and to the ribs. They are responsible for the erect position of our body. Also, they are a covering of your vital organs in the stomach. A weak core muscle results in low stability, and steadiness and can also lead to fatigue. That is why, it is highly important to strengthen our core muscles as a dancer.

Simple exercises dancers must do to improve posture

1. Butterfly exercise: A simple sitting exercise by holding feet together parallel to your groin and moving the knees up and down with the core tight, back straight, and eyes looking forward. The benefit is to tighten your core muscles and gives a good stretch to your inner thighs.
2. Jumping jacks: A fun workout to improve your stamina as well as control your moves. One must concentrate on the movements of the arm along with tightened core which prevents injury or back pain.
3. Tadasana: a common yoga poses that stretches your muscles and prevents them from muscle injury and soreness post-workout or dance routine.
4. Vrukshasan: another yoga pose to improve balance for dancers and strengthen core muscles.

Do’s and don’ts for while exercising

Do’s

1. Concentrate on your posture and not just the exercise
2. Core strength is highly important 
3. Drink ample water. Good hydration for a dancer is a must
4. Wear comfortable clothes for a comfortable workout

Don’ts

1. Do not keep fidgeting while exercising. It shifts your focus and affects your balance
2. Never keep your eyes closed or away while exercising. The eyes should always be in front to concentrate on your posture.
3. Avoid taking shortcuts while exercising. This can lead to injury or pain in the future.
4. Never perform exercises without supervision. A trained instructor will always guide you if you are exercising wrong.

To sum up, It is a myth that dancers have bad postures. Now you have understood that a bad posture is only due to bad habits and lifestyle and not because of dance. It is necessary to understand our body and improve posture to enhance grace yet steadiness in your dance performance.