Benefits of Athletic Arts Instruction

OVERALL PHYSICAL FITNESS

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reported that 16% of children from the ages 6-19, are overweight or obese. Introducing children to a sport filled with a variety of physical activities at a young age will stress the importance of a healthy fitness program. At Head Over Heels we offer numerous different athletic activities including: gymnastics, circus arts, dance and martial arts. These classes increase one's strength, flexibility, and endurance. Strength development automatically occurs when participating in any of our classes as the nature of the skills, events, and conditioning naturally builds up muscle mass. As a result of this consistent strength endurance, athletic arts is proven to slow bone loss, decrease your risk for injury, burn calories, improve brain function and increase bone density. Good flexibility is essential throughout one's life. "It increases blood supply and nutrients to joint structures, which in turn increases circulation, leading to greater elasticity of surrounding tissues." (Salzmann, 2005) Due to the balanced workout that our athletic arts provides, children will be physically fit.

SETTING GOALS AND DISCIPLINE

Another beneficial quality of the athletic arts is the discipline it instills in its athletes. HOH has rules of conduct that are enforced and the athletes must follow these rules to ensure a safe, controlled environment. The combination of the structure coupled with the lesson plans results in building determination, developing work ethic, and learning the importance of setting goals. Each new skill will not be attained without all of the above mentioned characteristics. Not only is this a necessary lesson to learn in the gym, but it is a lesson that translates into every aspect of the student's life. Set goals, work with discipline and determination, and attain those goals.

SOCIAL SKILLS AND TEAM WORK

Athletic arts classes assist students in their social skills development. Younger children learn to listen to authority figures, follow directions, share with others, wait their turn, as well as many other advantageous skills. For competitive athletes, working together and bonding with a team proves to be an invaluable experience teaching participants to support one another.

COORDINATION AND ITS IMPACT ON GROWTH

Athletic arts improves coordination. Body awareness comes naturally to most gymnasts as they learn what muscles they need to work to successfully execute a particular skill. Even when the student leaves the sport the coordination and body awareness skills will apply to whatever sports he or she chooses to pursue. It has been reported that these two benefits have also been applied to areas outside of sports. "Studies show that children learn cognitive skills more effectively in an environment that includes the body as well as the mind." (Barrett, 1998) "Gymnastics and early childhood movement education is directly attributed to developing neurological pathways in students and promoting reading readiness. While the preschool gymnastics teacher runs about and plays with the little kids in her class, she is preparing her students for successful experiences in school; children who have participated in movement education activities have longer attention spans, increased communication skills, general problem solving skills and improved self-esteem." (Taylor, 2003)

BUILDS SELF-ESTEEM

Athletic arts teaches the athlete to be self-confident and responsible. As students overcome any fear associated with learning a new skill they gain confidence. The accomplishment of mastering a new skill, a new routine, a high score, all due to their determination and hard work, contributes to the student's sense of self-esteem.

5 Fun Facts About DANCE'S Health Benefits

Did you know dancing if good for your brain, your bones and even your relati

1. It's a fun way to burn big calories.

An hour of vigorous dancing (think quickstep, not waltz) can burn up to 500 to 700 calories depending on your height, weight and fitness level. And it's a lot more fun than trudging along on the treadmill.

2. You'll ward off disease.

Studies by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute have shown that regular activity through dance can help prevent heart disease and decrease blood pressure. Dancing also helps strengthen your bones and joints, preventing osteoporosis, and keeps your weight in check, helping against diabetes. Another study even found that dancing reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in the elderly.

3. You'll get lean... and less mean.

Not only does dancing improve posture, flexibility and help manage weight, but it's also a proven stress and tension reducer for the mind and body. (Unless, you're performing live in front of millions of viewers—we hear that can be pretty stressful, too.)

4. Music helps your brain work out, too.

If you're dancing, you're probably doing it to some of your favorite tunes, which not only keeps your body moving, but your brain as well. A study in the Heart & Lung journal showed that people who listened to music while they exercised showed better "verbal fluency," as listening to music "may stimulate and increase cognitive arousal while helping to organize cognitive output." So turn up the stereo and get your brain in on the action!

5. Dancing can improve your relationships.

When he's not kicking up his heels on Dancing with the Stars, Tony Dovolani (Dancing with the Stars) gives private dance lessons, and has seen first hand how learning to dance can improve a couple's emotional well-being. "It's almost like you have a newfound love for each other," Dovolani tells YourTango.com. "Discovering new steps together teaches couples to interact with each other. They're looking into each other's eyes, anticipating the next move. It opens up energy channels of feeling and connection. It rejuvenates everything." He cites dance's abilities to foster communication skills and respect, as well as relieve stress, as other positive influences on couples who learn to dance together.