kinesthetic intelligence

[Strawberry]

For those of you who have been excercising for a while, and perhaps taking dance classes, have you noticed a difference in your kinesthetic intelligence? (If you are unfamiliar with the term, it basically refers to your overall coordination, balance and gracefulness.) In addition, is there any technique one may use in order to improve kinesthetic intelligence?

I ask because I have taken up belly-dancing recently. If I just contiue down this path, will I see results in my form that will carry over into other dance styles and physical activities?

[Angela]

I think belly dancing is a particularly effective way to develop kinesthetic intelligence.

The isolations, and the combination of technique and expressiveness, the strength and flexibility training, the sexiness, the mind-body connection -- it's just wonderful.

[Patricia]

I've danced pretty much all my life since the age of 3 and I've tried many different types of dance (from ballet, to step dancing, jazz, social and ballroom dancing, etc - not belly dancing, though... curiously... not my type of dance for some reason). I feel like, even though I've been developing this skill all my life, every time I try something different it does improve my kinesthetic ability altogether. I think anything physical we can do has an effect on that.

I also did olympic gym for a while, tried circus exercise (lots of fun! :-)), took swimming classes back in the day, tried different sports and so on and so forth. I think I'm naturally very kinesthetic, so I was very inclined to physical activities for the most part of my life. And each type of physical activity has triggered a different type of ability that I ended up developing and I always found it very rewarding.

So my belief is that belly dancing will do the same for you - and if you combine it with another type of physical exercise, even if it's another type of dance, you can benefit even more. My ballet years helped me with ballroom dancing tremendously.