Dancing for 30 minutes can burn up to 400 calories, which is similar to walking, swimming or cycling.

DANCE is a magical tool, one that can break down cultural and generational barriers, unlock hidden creativity and reinvigorate the soul.

It’s a method of communication, a creative release – and an excellent workout for both mind and body.

Dance has always been popular in Myanmar, whether at a traditional anyeint or the latest hip hop show. But now – especially among young people – it is also being recognised for its health benefits.

“Dancing continuously for 30 minutes can burn somewhere between 200 and 400 calories – the same as walking, swimming or cycling,” says Mr Patrick, a dance instructor at Summit Parkview Hotel in Yangon.

Whatever your type – ballet, ballroom, jazz or something else – dance helps people of all ages and physical abilities get and stay in shape. It’s an all-encompassing workout that incorporates nearly every part of the body, says Ko Zayar, the leader of Uranium Dance Group.

“I read a book that said when scientists analysed different types of exercise, including yoga, swimming, dancing and gym exercises, they found dancing and swimming to be the most beneficial for the body. This is because dancing and swimming require the coordinated use of every part of our body. So they only gave five stars to dancing and swimming,” he says.

The mental benefits of dance might seem less obvious, but medical research has shown they do exist. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2003 found that people who partake in ballroom dancing at least twice a week are less likely to develop dementia. Research has also shown that some people with Alzheimer’s disease are able to recall forgotten memories when they dance to music they used to know.

Not everyone enjoys the standard forms of exercise – running, swimming, cycling – and some find it difficult to get motivated to do physical activity. For people like 40-year-old Daw Myo Mon, a student at Summit Parkview’s ballet and Latin dance class, staying fit and healthy is no longer a chore.

“I’m too lazy to go to the gym mainly because I just find it really boring, so dancing is a good way for me to keep myself healthy. I enjoy music a lot. So I never feel bored when dancing – I feel relaxed and comfortable whenever I dance.”

It’s not only western-style dance that can bring health benefits. Myanmar traditional dance is also an excellent workout, says traditional dance teacher Daw Aye Aye Myint, who performs under the name Ta Khine Lone Shwe.

“We are working hard all the time whenever we dance. Even though we only perform the Thingyan dance, which is softer than other [Western] dance, we are sweating pretty hard so you can see it is good for our health,” she says. “Some people tell me that before their children attended dance classes they were a bit weak and couldn’t eat much. But after they attend the dance class they look healthier than before.”