Instruction in hip-hop dance allows children and teenagers to express emotion through movement, make new friends, and build self-esteem while honing their skills. This rhythmic form of dancing may also provide a number of physical benefits for kids. Below, you'll learn more about how hip hop dance classes can improve the body. 

4 Physical Perks of Hip-Hop Dance

1. Get Cardiovascular Exercise 

Hip-hop dance combines traditional African movement with tap, swing, and modern styles. This results in a fast-paced, high-energy style of dancing that can provide an excellent aerobic workout and get your child's heart pumping. In addition to helping kids maintain a healthy weight, taking lessons in hip-hop may reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and minimize the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. 

2. Improve Coordination 

While taking hip-hop dance lessons, children will learn complex sequences of movements that require physical coordination, which refers to the smooth, simultaneous function of multiple body parts. As your kids continue practicing and perfecting their technique, they'll get better at orchestrating these movements using various muscle groups. This may result in enhanced motor coordination, leading to improved flexibility and balance. 

3. Build Muscle Strength 

Hip-hop dances requires kids to move their feet to the beat of the music and execute freestyle techniques such as breaking, which is a form of acrobatics unique to hip-hop. For instance, a knee drop involves quickly crossing that one leg behind the other, then dropping to the floor in a squat-like position before returning to the feet. These types of movements necessitate the use of the legs, arms, and core, which can help your children build strong, toned, and lean muscle mass.

4. Enhance Spatial Awareness

Spatial awareness refers to the position of the body in relation to people and objects around it. In addition to helping children understand how to do things such as navigate crowded rooms and read maps, having a good sense of spatial awareness can teach kids how to respect personal space, which may improve their interactions with others. Hip-hop dance involves getting into poses and executing movements in a studio space with other dancers and props, which can enhance your child's spatial awareness.

Help your kids reap the benefits of hip-hop dance by enrolling them in New Hampshire Academie of Dance. This dance studio offers instruction in hip-hop, ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical styles to children throughout Greater Derry and Londonderry, NH. Call (603) 432-4041 to sign up your young ones for dance classes, and visit the website to learn more about upcoming programs and schedules.