International Dance Day, also known as World Dance Day, is a global celebration of dance, observed every year on April 29, the birth anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), the creator of modern ballet. It aims to encourage participation and education in dance through events and festivals. The day was first introduced in 1982 by the International Dance Committee of the UNESCO International Theatre Institute. Today dance is seen not just as a hobby but as something with its own health benefits and an excellent way to stay fit. Studies have also shown that dance helps to stay flexible, reduce stress and lose weight, among others. Indian dance forms like Bharatnatyam, Odissi or Kathak, help to burn a lot of calories, increase mental stimulation and are better at toning thighs and calf muscles. It is said that 10 minutes of Odissi is equal to an hour of any workout and Kathak helps in toning up the body and improve blood circulation.
Garba and Dandiya – For burning calories
Garba and Dandiya involve a lot of energetic twirls and claps that helps to relax your mind and release happy hormones like serotonin. A fast-paced session can burn over 600 calories in an hour, while a slow-paced can burn around 450 to 500 calories. Garba and Dandiya are an ideal workout that uses your whole body.
Bharatnatyam – For strengthening lower half of the body
Originated in the temples of Tamil Nadu, Bharatnatyam is one of the most widely practised Indian dance forms. It is considered to be 2,000 years old and inspires many other art forms including painting and sculpture. It involves different postures that help to strengthen the lower half of the body. A two-hour session of Bharatnatyam is equivalent to an excellent cardio workout.
Kathak – For exhibiting emotions
Kathak derives its name from the Sanskrit word ‘Katha’ meaning ‘story’, it is considered as a form of story-telling. The dance form comprises of movements with the dancers donning ghungroos on the feet. It also involves a lot of facial expressions and hand-leg movements. The dance form gets you engrossed in the depiction of a tale and helps you to understand and exhibit emotions. It is a complete fitness regime with a lot of creativity and grace, no doubt Kathak Yoga is doing the rounds.
Odissi – For facial yoga
Originated in Orissa, Odissi is a dance form where the body of the dancer is bent at the neck, waist and knee, in a position similar to that of Indian sculptures. The essence of the dance form is the immense co-ordination between different parts of the body in sync with the rhythm. The facial expressions in the dance are equivalent to facial yoga.