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Here are a couple of articles on the Health benefits of clogging and dancing in general New article added - AARP "Let's Dance to Health" Health Benefits of Dancing - Article by SixWise |
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News story from Missouri - there's even a video |
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Clogging is Healthy Anyone who has ever clogged
knows how much fun it is, but what they do not know is how healthy it is. Clogging is a form of
dance that meets all the criteria of "Total exercise" it
provides the five essentials vital to a well-rounded exercise program.
Total exercise should include stretching, toning, posture/coordination,
circulation/energy and stress reduction. Clogging involves the use
of all of the large muscles of the body. Cloggers do a lot of pointing and
flexing. This allows them to develop both muscular strength and muscular
endurance. Cloggers also develop great flexibility. This greater
flexibility reduces their chances of injury while clogging or
participating in other strenuous activities. Any activity that uses the
large muscles and is done smoothly and continuously is very effective for
toning and firming the muscles. Since firm muscles take up less
space than flabby ones, you can obtain a better shape and form. When you
clog, you use the muscles in front of the legs every time you point your
toes in the direction of the floor. When the foot is in a flexed position,
you use the muscles in the back of the legs. When your knees are slightly
bent and you are transferring your body weight from side to side. you are
strengthening the broad surface muscles of the buttocks. Although the
lower limbs receive the maximum benefits of clogging, you also tone and
firm your abdominal muscles. Clogging will aid in
burning excess fat. When you clog, you take in more than the usual amount
of oxygen. Taking in large amounts of oxygen means burning calories. This
enables you to speed up the rate you burn and to rid the lungs of carbon
dioxide. When clogging, natural continuous breathing at moments of strain
will make the difference between feeling exhausted and feeling
invigorated. If you're extremely tired at the end, it may be because of
the lack of oxygen in the body. You may be holding your breath while you
try to figure out a difficult step. Because clogging is an aerobic
activity (with oxygen), the body demands more than an ordinary amount of
oxygen, therefore it is essential to breathe as deeply as possible. If you
find yourself holding your breath, breathe deeply and try to relax. Clogging will train the
heart and lungs to work more efficiently, bringing more oxygen to the body
and to the working muscles with less effort. The better condition you're
in, the more effort you need to put into your clogging to give your heart
and lungs a workout each time. If you are serious
about using clogging as a way to shape up, or as a way to stay in shape,
you can look forward to a reduction in body fat, a decreased risk of heart
attack, stroke and high blood pressure. You will notice an increased
energy level and you will have more stamina. Clogging and other forms of
aerobic exercises can greatly reduce your level of stress. Don't ever think you
have to dance exactly the same way everyone else does. We all work with
individual proportioned bodies. You have to progress at your own level.
The important thing is to put maximum effort into your clogging. All dance
movements begin in the centre of the body and move out. Always keep your
body weight lifted and the waistline held tall. Breathe naturally and
freely as possible. Pay attention to your
instructor, feel good about what you are doing, relax and enjoy yourself.
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