Dancing, for me, is a not just an interest or a hobby. It is a passion and a form of self-expression.
My mother told me that ever since I could walk, I had been dancing. I have tried almost all forms of dancing: ballet, rhythmic gymnastics, ball room, jazz, ethnic, etc. But changes in priorities, family and work demands have forced me to put this passion aside.
As a mother of two and a lawyer, I thought I simply cannot be dancing anymore on stage like I used to, or be a member of a dance troop to perform everywhere.
Ball room dancing, which requires me to leave the kids at home at night, was also not an option. And so for many, many years, my dancing has been left almost completely dormant, save for the occasional gatherings where free dance instructors are provided.
But dancing still found a way to reach me. Like manna from heaven, I found myself just a room across a studio for aero dance; complete with all the disco lights, booming music and floor to ceiling mirrors.
This was, definitely, serendipity working. Thus, since summer of this year, I have once again embraced my one true passion in life while gaining the benefits of exercise.
What is aero dance? Aero dance or dance exercise is a form of aerobics that incorporates dance moves in creative ways. It is a perfect fitness activity that combines exercise and fun, providing one with the double benefits of a work-out as well as dance.
It is ideal for people who want to break away from the monotony of their routine exercise sessions, and want to be more expressive with their movements.
Aero dance is fun because there is no rigid routine pattern, and it is not limited to a particular dance form.
Our dances range from the sexy salsa and regae to the funky hip-hop and street dance to the nimble boogie and Charleston steps.
Aero dance is fuss-free. One can come in shorts, in leggings, in pants, in whatever you’re comfortable in. Any comfortable footwear will do, although some prefer to dance barefoot.
The only basic requirement for a person to aero-dance is to have a love for rhythm.
High on tempo, this powerful activity is vigorous and fast paced. The format includes a five-minute warm-up session, followed by an intense dance session, then a one-minute cool down before it is capped by a 15-minute abs work-out.
The workout helps you lose 200 to 500 calories each session. All it takes is to keep up the intensity all throughout the exercise to burn as much calories as you can.
While the dance moves are meticulously thought of to assure that every muscle of the body is utilized and exercised, you’ll never have a dull moment all throughout the activity.
You can loosen up yourself like a dancing queen, you can jump as fast and as high as you want, you can head-bang if you dare! You can simply dance away your cares in life, along with your worries and fears; that leaves you with fresh perspective each time you step into the beat.
With a sway in the hips and with my arms in the air, I can truly say with a smile that I have found my place in aero dance.
I may not be dancing anymore for performances, but I know I am dancing my way to good health and fitness. (Atty. Dinah Tabada-Chu)
Dinah won the championship in aerodance marathon, a two-hour competition. She regularly dances at World Fitness gym with Jae Brown, at Portal West, Silliman and Hibbard Avenues in Dumaguete City. — Editors.
