Five Star Music & Dance Academy

Science Confirms: Dancing Makes You Happy

Wed, 27 Mar 2019 12:14:41 -0700

“Without music, life would be a mistake”, said Nietzsche, and he wasn’t entirely wrong because we have a natural instinct that leads us to follow the rhythm of the music. In fact, most children move and clap their hands when they hear a song they like. It is a spontaneous response related to our need to communicate and express our emotions through the movement and the body.

There is no doubt that music is a universal language and everyone, except the people who suffer from amusia, is able to appreciate and enjoy it. In fact, it was discovered that people of different cultures react emotionally in the same way when listening to different types of music. So, it is no coincidence that anthropological studies indicate that groups who were more likely to survive were those who had developed a particular dance and were able to share their feelings dancing.

Of course, music and dance not only serve as social glue, but are also very useful for our physical and mental health. Recent studies revealed that one of the keys to happiness and satisfaction is right on the dance floor.

Steps that heal, movements that make us happy

In 2013, psychologists at the University of Örebro realized an experiment with a group of teenagers who suffered from anxiety, depression and stress, in addition to presenting psychosomatic symptoms such as neck and back pain. Half of these were asked to attend two dance classes a week, while the rest continued with their daily routine.

After two years, those who continued to attend the dance classes (where emphasis was on the pleasure of the movement rather than performance), not only showed a significant improvement in psychosomatic symptoms, but also reported to feel happier.

In another study conducted at the University of Derby, the psychologists worked with people who were suffering from depression. These people received “salsa” lessons for a period of nine weeks. The improvements began to be...Read More

Making Music Makes You Healthier and Happier, New Study Shows

Thu, 14 Feb 2019 05:47:18 -0800

Research collated by Music For All highlights numerous physical and mental health benefits to making and playing music.

Released ahead Learn To Play Day 2019 – which takes place on the weekend of 23rd March and sees many outlets around the UK offering free music lessons to people of all ages – the charity hae compiled research which all suggests that making music makes you healthier and happier.

Results from a wide aray of sources referenced in the paper suggest that learning an instrument as a child makes you more intelligent as an adult in relation to memory, verbal ability, spatial ability, processing speed and attention.

Other research also suggest that making and playing music lessens the deterioration of physical health in elderly people and reduce the need for certain types of medication. Playing piano, for instance, apparently exercises the heart just as much as a brisk walk.

According to the paper, making music literally helps develop your brain, with instrumental music training positively altering the the anatomy of the brain with greater grey matter volumes in motor-related areas.

“Collating this research on the health benefits is just another reason why we as a charity believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn to play,” said Music For All’s CEO Paul McManus in an official statement “It’s clear that the desire to learn to play is there from the public as our research also indicated that, out of those people who have never played, 58% (14.6m) would like to learn to play a musical instrument, and an astonishing 76% of non-players said that they wished they had learnt to play an instrument.”

You can learn more about Learn To Play Day and how to access free music lessons near you...Read More

The Hidden Importance of Hobbies (And How To Get Started)

Wed, 19 Sep 2018 12:15:18 -0700

Photo Credit: Pixabay

All too often, hobbies are labeled as fun pastimes in our daily lives and are considered to have few tangible benefits. That being said, there is increasing evidence to suggest that having a hobby is good for your mind, body, and personal development. If you want to learn how to start your hobby, keep reading!

Socialization

For those who enjoy being around other people, there are numerous social hobbies available. To maximize the benefits of a socialized hobby, make sure that the people you are with are positive influences. Try to embark on a new hobby journey with someone who you enjoy being with and who makes you feel good about yourself. Having a friend accompany you can encourage and motivate you to actually do it. This motivation can be incredibly powerful when you are feeling tired and unmotivated. Not ready to involve a friend? Consider an online hobby, such as blogging, graphic design, or photo editing. You could also consider challenging yourself by learning a new musical instrument - doing so can teach valuable skills in perseverance and dedication. There are also countless online music tutorials to help you learn at your own pace.

Stress Relief

Day-to-day life contains a myriad of stresses, whether from work, family, or friends. For this reason, people need to do things they enjoy as a way to balance the various pressures they face. Interest-based hobbies act as a natural stimulant, and can offer your brain a much-needed reprieve from negative and stressful thoughts. If you enjoy...Read More