5 Effective Benefits of Bollywood Dancing for your Physical and Mental Health
Bollywood dancing has evolved from Hindu, folk, and classical dances, first introduced to people through India’s Bollywood films, into a vibrant and popular dance style we all know and recognise today. Bollywood dancing can be easily identified through dynamic costumes, energetic body language and intricate hand gestures. Bollywood dance is a form of storytelling dance that vividly conveys emotions and narratives through movement.
In the 1930s, the first Indian sound film, Alam Ara, was released, marking the beginning of a new era in Indian entertainment. The first Bollywood films contained classic Indian dancing such as Kathak and Bharatanatyam. Kathak focussed on intricate footwork and expressive storytelling, and Bharatanatyam was a temple dance that had graceful movements and hand gestures. The foundations for Bollywood dance were formed!
The 1960s and the 1970s became the ‘Golden Age’ of Bollywood Dance, Bollywood movies like “Mughal-e-Azam” and “Sholay.” made their iconic marks, debuting choreographers such as Saroj Khan and Gopi Krishna. Saroj Khan began to blend traditional Indian dance techniques with contemporary Western influences, resulting in more dynamic and visually engaging performances. Take a look at this clip from rehearsals of Sahibaan (a 1993 Indian-Hindu romance film directed by Ramesh Talwar) to see how Saroj masterfully created and taught her beautiful Bollywood dances.
Classical Indian dance traditions lay the foundations for Bollywood dance, there a three main types of classical indian dance that creat bollywood dance as we know it today:
- Kathak: Originating in Northern India, the Kathak is known for its intricate footwork, swift spins, and expressive hand gestures. The style is known for creating emotion and stories in dance through facial expressions and hand gestures. Take a look at this performance of Kathak by Tanmoyee Chakraborty. Can you spot her intricate hand gestures and facial expressions?
- Bharatanatyam: it is one of India’s oldest classical dances filled with precise movements, strong postures, and dramatic expressions. It is commonly featured in Bollywood’s traditional scenes, often depicting devotion or intense emotional moments. To see the contrast from Kathak dance, take a look at this dance which is an excerpt from Pushpanjali an invocatory piece in Bharatanatyam dance choreography by Savitha Sastry
- Odissi and Kuchipudi: These classical styles focus on graceful, flowing movements and are often used to enhance spiritual or culturally significant scenes. Take a look at this amazing duo celebrating togetherness by emulating the style of Odissi and Kuchipudi effortlessly! They are so graceful 🪷
Now, in the 21st Century, Bollywood dance has gone beyond cinema into mainstream global pop culture, with references seen in Hollywood films, music videos, and international performances. International collaborations between Bollywood artists and Western musicians have become common. Artists like The Pussycat Dolls, Pitbull, and Beyoncé have worked with Bollywood choreographers and included Bollywood-inspired dance sequences in their music videos. Its widespread popularity today enables its ability to evolve and adapt while staying connected to its roots in Indian tradition.
5 Benefits of Bollywood Dance for you Physical and Mental Health
- Improved Joint Health
Bollywood dance is a low-impact activity; therefore, the dance doesn’t put a strain on the joints while providing a good workout. The fluid, graceful movements of Bollywood dance can help lubricate the joints, reducing joint stiffness and pain. Dancing Bollywood even just once a week can reduce joint inflammation.
2. Emotional Expression and Release
Bollywood dance allows for a wide range of emotions to be expressed through gestures and facial expressions, such as joy, passion, and excitement. The freedom of expression in Bollywood dance helps release built-up emotions and tension, promoting mental clarity and emotional release. Choreographed dance sequences often tell a story, which can be a therapeutic way to connect with feelings and emotions, offering a creative outlet for emotional release.
3. Enhanced Communication Skills
Bollywood Dance is a form of non-verbal communication. Bollywood dance encourages individuals to express themselves through gestures, facial expressions, and body movements. This enhances the ability to communicate emotionally and creatively with others in a group setting. The enhanced communication skills between dancers will also boost the groups connection and bonds creating a fun and feel-good atmosphere in your classes!
4. Enhancing Brain Connectivity
Research has shown that rhythmic movement can improve brain plasticity, helping the brain form new connections. Bollywood dance, with its complex movements and synchronization, challenges the brain to process multiple stimuli, which may support cognitive function in older individuals. By enhancing your brain connectivity you can improve memory recall and overall brain health, this can be especially useful for anyone diagnosed with dementia.
5. Muscle Toning and Strength
Bollywood dance uses low- and high-impact moves that help tone and strengthen muscles, especially in the legs, arms, and core. Posture, stability, and strength in the core (especially during hip swivels and torso twists) lead to improved core strength. Repetitive movements, especially dance steps that involve squats, lunge positions, and leg lifts, also contribute to building muscle endurance, especially in the lower body.
Bollywood dance offers a range of benefits to your well-being. It provides both physical and mental health benefits while also offering a fun and creative outlet for expression.
Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC run weekly Keep Dancing classes, suitable for older adults across, Birmingham, Solihull, Walsall, Sandwell and online. Keep Dancing will teach you dances from around the world with no need for a dance partner. Find your nearest Keep Dancing class here.
Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC also runs classes to support carers in Birmingham thanks to Funding from Forward Carers CIC. Find out more about our Keep Dancing for carers here
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