Last month, we introduced our founder Komlanvi Dodjro’s passion: Salsa, a quintessential Latin dance. Not for nothing, Salsa is having its moment in a big way, all over communities near and far.
Why Salsa? Benefits of Salsa
As a Registered Health Coach, I found robust evidence for Salsa dance’s benefits on physical and mental health- all in addition to Salsa’s ability to transport you through different cultures.
Valentine’s Day might be overdone.
But is there ever a reason why pleasure and happiness should be avoided? Here’s why you need to warm it up, feel happy, get out of your comfort zone, anticipate the sauce— all from Salsa
The origin of Salsa
Salsa’ in Spanish means ‘sauce’, and like its name, Salsa is a mixture of many ingredients. Salsa! was a cry by Latin musicians since the mid-1800s performing energetic songs, spurring dancers and musicians to be more active, acrobatic, introduce freestyle changes, and ‘spice up’ their act. [1] Originating in late 1800s Cuba, Salsa emerged from elements of many cultural dances: the Són of Cuba, troubadours and Flamenco from Spain, Rumbas of African slaves, and the Danzón of French Haitians, using popular Cuban instruments. [2] Salsa evolved, influenced by the Son Montuno, the Cha Cha, the Mambo and the Panchango dances in the mid- 1900s. Salsa allows you to travel to so many cultures, even as you stay on one dance floor.
Benefits of Salsa Dance
Here, robust evidence from a systematic review of 22 scientific studies, spanning from 4 to 32 weeks and using Latin dance interventions (programs) and a total of 1764 participants, ages 11 to 91 years, from diverse global populations, demonstrates overwhelming physical and mental health benefits.
1. Increases Cardiovascular Endurance
Salsa’s aerobic dance routines and continuous rhythmic movements increase heart rate and oxygen consumption, thereby enhancing cardiovascular fitness. Longer term benefits include improvements in cardiovascular endurance[1], contributing to the prevention and management of chronic diseases: cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes.
2. Improves Body Composition and Core Development
Salsa influences body composition, developing the core, in particular, reducing waist circumference and reducing body fat, and its dance routines involve continuous movement patterns and energy expenditure which contribute to calorie expenditure and weight loss. An eight week program with breast cancer survivors and another for individuals with Type 2 diabetes and obesity both demonstrated improvements in waist circumference[1]. At a moderate Salsa pace, you enter a level of aerobic conditioning, sending glucose from your bloodstream to muscle cells where glycogen is expended (more about exercise and glycogen Here ). And yes, Salsa’s got the fun factor: when enjoying yourself, exercising at a pace where you can still carry on a conversation, you are aerobically conditioning and burning fat while forgetting it’s exercise.
3. Improves Balance and Coordination
As you learn and improve, Salsa requires precise movements, coordination and balance control. Dancing on your own requires coordination, and the extra coordination of a partner further increases proprioception (awareness of the position and movement of the body). Studies with adolescents and older adults both demonstrated improved balance and coordination, consistently demonstrating positive effects on balance and coordination among older adults[1]. The complex footwork patterns and weight-shifting movements involved challenge dancers to improve their proprioception and balance control.
4. Improves Flexibility
Salsa and Latin dance positively impact flexibility through their varied movements and stretches, promoting improved range of motion in joints. The rhythmic and flowing motions characteristic of Salsa facilitate muscle elongation and joint mobility, enhancing your body’s flexibility.
5. Increases Muscular Strength and Power
Salsa makes muscles! The dynamic movements and weight- bearing nature of Latin dance routines stimulate activation and development of major muscle groups. The enhanced muscular strength and power gained contributes to your overall fitness and functional capacity- allowing you to perform more daily functional movements better and stronger.
YES! Learning Latin dance can foster self- confidence, optimism,
mutual understanding and cooperation[1]
6. Improves Self- Esteem and Body Image
Salsa encourages individuals to embrace and appreciate their bodies, promoting a positive body image. Its rhythmic movements and self-expression foster body acceptance and boost confidence [1]. A study of teenage girls demonstrated improved self- esteem and a positive body image, specifically a sense of accomplishment and mastery- all linked to mental well-being, all from Latin dance, and a 4-month program of middle aged-adults found improved body image.
7. Stress Reduction and Emotional Well-Being
It seems Salsa is a fantastic therapy, providing a form of emotional expression and stress relief, which contribute to improved emotional well- being. Now that’s sweet therapy! The combination of music, movement, and self- expression allows individuals to release emotions and experience a sense of positive catharsis, relieving the emotions. Studies reported reductions in stress levels among individuals participating in several programs, and the enjoyment and engagement associated with Latin dance on Brazilian college students contributed to their positive mental health and overall well- being[1].
8. Salsa is the Music of Therapy and Happiness
Salsa’s set up for happiness and positivity: it’s low pressure, welcoming, inclusive for all ages and all walks of life. You can’t help but feel a part of something larger, right from day one, as you participate in a dance that requires you in the pattern and recognizes you in its whole. Salsa’s inclusivity increases the neurotransmitter serotonin, associated with happiness and focus. Your dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with rewards and motivation, increases as you accomplish dance patterns. Now that’s fantastic therapy.
9. Alleviates Anxiety and Depression
Salsa is a beneficial intervention for alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression [1] More than one program demonstrated that Latin dance promotes the release of natural mood- boosting endorphins, neurotransmitters in the brain, which relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression, proving Latin dance to be a means of joy and happiness[2], a positive, engaging activity to combat feelings of isolation and improve overall mood[3], and relieve stress. How fantastic is that??
10. Improves Cognitive Function
Salsa and Latin dance improve brain function. Salsa improves cognitive function by challenging the brain with complex movements and sequences, which can improve memory, concentration, and overall cognitive performance.[1] A study showed particular improvements in the domains of attention, memory and the brain’s executive function.
11. Increases Social Connectedness
Salsa promotes opportunities for social contact and involvement – in partners, or as an individual- and social connection is an essential aspect of mental health. Programs demonstrated that engaging in Salsa classes or group activities fosters belonging and connection to others, and Latin dance improved social connections among young people in more than one study, providing them with interpersonal communication and involvement.
12. Salsa’s Not just for Couples
Some styles of salsa, such as Rueda da Casino, developed in Havana, are dances where one dancer in the circle calls out moves for the entire group to perform (including the steps for swapping partners on the fly during the same song). New York Style Salsa is danced in a straight line, with distinct dancers who dance alone and face each other. No partner needed because there is a partner rotation system in every class!
Paired up or on your own, Discover the Wonder of Salsa Dancing. Now get out there and look for a Salsa event near you – I know I need to!
The benefits are overwhelming, spicy and fantastic.
[9] PubMed/NCBI [10] MDPI [11] TaylorandFrancisOnline [11] BMC Public Health
Martha
Martha Kenney Burbank, R.H.NHolistic Nutritionist + Health Coach at KenneyBee Holistic Health
