Advances in Mental Health

People generally think of taking ballet classes as something fun to do for entertainment. But ballet can be about more than having fun. There are actually some health benefits you can look forward to once you start participating in ballet on a regular basis.

Reduced Risk of Heart Disease

Any sort of aerobic exercise is good for your heart. While ballet is not purely aerobic exercise, it definitely has its aerobic elements as it will get your heart rate up. Participate in ballet long-term, and you can look forward to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular ailments as you age.

Less Joint Pain

If you were to jump straight into high-level ballet, it could be hard on your joints as they are not accustomed to that level of strain. Luckily, ballet is difficult enough to master and most people have to work their way up quite slowly. This means you'll be progressively stretching and loading your joints more and more, over time. This progressive exercise can help keep your joints limber, loose, and lubricated. And that can mean less joint pain and arthritis as you age.

Improved Mental Health

Health is not just physical; it is mental, too. It's well established that exercise is good for your mental health since it stimulates the release of endorphins and mood-elevating neurotransmitters. Ballet is no different. As you begin attending ballet classes more often, you may notice that your mood improves. If you struggle with depression or anxiety, you may notice that these ailments become easier to control. 

Healthier Weight

Being overweight can increase your risk of many different ailments including heart disease and diabetes. While ballet is not a magical cure for excess body weight, it does burn calories and can be a part of a healthy weight loss program. If you are someone who has long been struggling to lose weight but has trouble sticking with more traditional exercise, like walking and going to the gym, attending ballet classes can be a good alternative. There are so many different dance moves to focus on that you'll forget you're exercising and pursuing weight loss.

Attending ballet classes can certainly be fun, but it can also be good for your health. Look for some beginner classes near you, and sign up. After a few classes, you'll have a better idea if ballet classes are something you enjoy.

To learn more, contact a ballet academy in your area.