Dance is an activity that’s both athletic and artistic. Plus, it offers many benefits for your body and mind. From classical ballet, flamenco and contemporary jazz to swing, Argentine tango, hip-hop and Irish jig, there’s a dance style for everyone. Here are eight excellent reasons to join a dance class.

1. Improve endurance. Dancing increases both cardiovascular and muscular endurance. Some styles of dance provide a better aerobic workout than others.

2. Tone the body. In addition to developing strength, dancing helps improve your bone density and supports better posture in your everyday life.

3. Work on coordination. When you dance, your body must move in multiple directions and requires different parts of your body to work together in unison.

4. Increase flexibility and balance. Dance improves your range of motion. If you’re an older person, it can help you reduce your risk of falling.

5. Work your brain. Learning new movements and choreography helps improve your concentration and memory.

6. Develop creativity. Dancing enables you to explore your artistic side as you improvise and experiment. It’s an ideal way to build self-confidence.

7. Socialise. Whether you go as a couple or join a group, dancing is a social activity that promotes collaboration.

8. Combat stress and depression. Dancing has a positive impact on mood. It can have a liberating effect by allowing you to connect with your emotions and express yourself.

Check out the schools in your area to find a class that appeals to you or your children.