Try these dances for better balance and coordination
What's the story
Not only are African dances a colorful representation of culture, they are also a great way to improve lower body flexibility. These traditional dances are characterized by energetic movements, which are a great way to engage multiple muscle groups. Dancing to these can help you get better coordination and balance, along with a fun workout. Here are five African dances that can increase your lower body flexibility.
Kizomba
Kizomba: The Angolan dance
Hailing from Angola, Kizomba is a partner dance characterized by its smooth, flowing movements. It requires intricate footwork and hip gyrations, which makes the lower body more flexible. If you practice Kizomba regularly, your joint mobility will improve drastically and your leg muscles will become stronger. This dance form is not just a cultural experience but a great physical activity for improving lower body flexibility and strength.
Azonto
Azonto: Ghana's energetic dance
If you want a dance that leaves you high on energy, Azonto from Ghana is the one! The vibrant dance captivates with its high energy and expressive movements. It involves rapid footwork, deep knee bends, and dynamic hip rotations, all of which significantly boost flexibility in the legs and hips. The playful essence of the dance makes it a delightful exercise.
Pantsula
Pantsula: South Africa's urban dance
Known for its fast-paced steps and acrobatic moves, South African street dance Pantsula is vibrant and fun to try. As the dance requires highly flexible knees and ankles to keep up with its rapid fire footwork patterns, you will find yourself building an impressive amount of lower body strength and flexibility if you indulge in Pantsula on a regular basis.
Soukous
Soukous: The Congolese rhythm
Soukous, which originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is all about the lively beats and fluid hip movements. This dance form focuses a lot on waist flexibility, and you would want to sway your hips rhythmically to the music. Regular practice of Soukous dancing not just improves your core strength but also greatly improves your hip mobility. It's a great pick for increasing your lower body flexibility.
Gwara gwara
Gwara Gwara: The viral sensation
South African dance Gwara Gwara took the world by storm with viral videos. It features unique arm swings with knee bends. The dance involves flexible knees to perform rhythmic squats. Balance is the most important thing here, which is done with coordinated arm motions. This combination not only challenges but greatly improves your lower body flexibility, making it an interesting workout.