Why dancing is good for your health from Kristina Rihanoff

With Forever Move being Forever’s product of the month and our summer campaign #PoweredByArgi

starting in May, we are focusing on being healthier and exercising more. There are so many types of exercise, but one of our favourites has to be dancing as it’s said to have a positive effect on both your physical and mental health. There’s no better person to talk to about dancing than Forever’s Ambassador and professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff. We caught up with Kristina to find out where it all started and how dancing has benefitted her health and wellbeing…

Where does your love of dancing come from?

When I was growing up in Russia my dad was a musician in a band; he used to bring his friends around, and they all used to play together. I fell in love with music and dance at a young age and my mum could see that, so she took me to dance school. I studied ballet as well as ballroom and Latin and entered my first dance competition at seven years old.

What’s your favourite style of dance?

There are so many styles of dance that I love including ballroom and Latin. I particularly enjoy Paso Doble and the Samba, but I also like old style dances such the Waltz and Jive.

How do you prepare physically for your dance shows?

Yoga and dancing both prepare my body and keep it lean. I have been practising yoga for 18 years; it’s a massive passion of mine that’s improved my flexibility, strength and endurance. It has also helped to prevent me from getting any injuries from dancing. When I’m on tour I’m on my feet all night, which can be difficult, but regular yoga and dancing prepare me for this.

Would you say that dancing has improved your joints?

Yes, definitely. I used to suffer with my knees and experience lower back pain, but I’ve learnt how to use my joints properly when dancing; yoga has also helped a lot to prevent injury.

Do you feel Argi+ has impacted your movement when dancing?

During my Strictly performances and the live tours, Argi+ was a fantastic supplement for me. It’s a great source of vitamin B6, B12 & C which means it helps contribute to the reduction of fatigue, and this means, energy wise, it was a life saver – I wouldn’t have got through to finals without it! Argi+ is still very much a part of my life and I still take it before dancing and yoga.

What other benefits has dancing given you?

Dancing has caused me to know my body very well, and because my body is always moving, I use every muscle when I dance. I also engage my mind with the movements, and I love the fact that you can start dancing at any age. It doesn’t matter if you’re in your 40s, 50s or 60s, in fact, last week I taught some couples at a social club and it was such a lovely experience to see them enjoying themselves. I get a real joy out of teaching adults and kids.

Along with the physical benefits, would you say dancing has plenty of wellbeing benefits too?

Of course, if we look back to ancient times or at African tribes, dance was a way of expressing thoughts and emotions. You release plenty of endorphins when you dance, and because you’re moving constantly, dance helps you to connect with the emotional centres in your brain. I have also heard that dancing can have a positive effect on the older generation who suffer from either Parkinson’s, Dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Key ingredients in Aloe Blossom Herbal Tea

With long dark nights and frosty mornings, what could be more comforting than popping on the kettle for a soothing cup of tea? So snuggle up and invigorate your senses with a warming cup of Forever’s Aloe Blossom Herbal Tea. With its aromatic blend of autumnal spices this refreshing caffeine-free, unique blend is perfect for calming and relaxing, and is packed with benefits thanks to the vitamin-rich ingredients which have been carefully chosen to help provide a soothing effect whenever you are feeling the stresses of a busy day.

Natural blend of herbs and spices

The natural blend of leaves, herbs and spices in Forever’s Aloe Blossom Herbal Tea have been specifically combined to provide outstanding flavour and rich aroma to put you in a restful and relaxing frame of mind.

Naturally delicious and renowned for its health benefits and therapeutic properties, camomile adds a delicate and floral aroma to help you unwind. Sweet and pungent, cardamom is high in minerals and is complemented by the spicy aroma of ginger, clove and cinnamon, for a calming and warming effect to help soothe body and mind. These ingredients are also reminiscent of the holiday season, making this tea the perfect accompaniment to cosying up in front of a fireplace and feeling festive.

Vitamin rich ingredients

This unique blend is packed with benefits thanks to the vitamin rich ingredients, and the refreshing flavour of the fruity tones of orange peel and blackberry leaf combined with the delicate fragrances of aloe blossom, fennel and gymnema sylvestre all contribute to soothing body and mind to leave you feeling refreshed.

Forever’s Aloe Blossom Herbal Tea is ideal for those chilly winter months, and this wonderfully uplifting drink is the perfect way to get you in the festive spirit.

So, grab your favourite mug, and enjoy the perfect cup of tea.

Discover the benefits of Aloe Vera Gelly?

Most people first come across Aloe Vera whilst on holiday, in a hot climate where it is found growing wild and the locals have been using it for years to protect their skin. This is where you may have discovered some of these key benefits.

It has cooling benefits

Even with decent sun protection, your skin can feel hot and bothered after a day spent sitting in the sun. A pink-red glow to the skin that’s warm to touch and even a little bit tender needs cooling right down and a healthy blob of Aloe Vera Gelly will do the trick. This lubricating after sun gel is enriched with the natural beneficial power of aloe, a plant that is colloquially referred to as the ‘burn plant’ thanks to its ability to soothe irritated skin.

It has skin conditioning benefits

Slathering on after sun gel may be a great solution when your skin’s feeling a tad sizzled but if what you’re using isn’t beneficial for the skin itself, you might as well have just sat in an icy bath!

It will care for your skin

It’s soothing, it’s conditioning and it cares for your skin! When your skin needs a little extra care and attention, the thick, translucent aloe gel captured in every tube of Aloe Vera Gelly is what it’s crying out for. Aloe vera carries the same pH as balanced skin, which means this gel, which is naturally high in aloe, is perfect for safely lubricating sensitive tissue and giving your skin the benefits, it deserves. But it’s not just the skin it’s kind to: Aloe Vera Gelly has also been awarded the Leaping Bunny logo which means not a single one of its ingredients has been tested on animals. It’s also vegan-friendly and halal!

It is full of beneficial aloe vera goodness

Aloe vera is known to be naturally beneficial for skin but it’s products with a high percentage of pure inner leaf aloe that carry all the skin-loving goodness. Aloe Vera Gelly is rich in pure, inner leaf aloe vera gel; in fact, its ingredients list boasts 84% pure aloe which means it’s almost identical to an aloe vera plant’s inner leaf! Inner leaf aloe gel is the part of the leaf that carries the most nutrients and benefits for humans and animals, it’s what the ancient Egyptians – including Queen Cleopatra – used to bathe in to keep their skin looking youthful, and it’s what differentiates a high quality aloe product from the inferior sap-and-rind-heavy rivals on the market.

It's just an amazing after-sun gel

Cooling, conditioning, caring and aloe-rich – what more do you want from an after-sun gel? Well, I guess you want it to work! Aloe Vera Gelly will not let you down and when used liberally and frequently after your sunbathing sessions, its aloe vera benefits will soon get to work and rescue your skin from the dreaded peel, the annoying fade and the embarrassing bright scarlet tones that no-one can pull off!

Did you know our Aloe Vera Gelly is even safe to swallow, so it is also a perfect product to use on your pets skin too.

Have you discovered the benefits of Aloe Vera Gelly?