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Improve Your Body and Mind With Dancing

by

Brooklyn Ramirez

Dancing has always been a part of our culture. But it isn\’t just a hobby. In addition to being an enjoyable social activity, it can also have tremendous mental and physical health benefits. These benefits apply to people of any age, gender and physical ability level.

Improve Your Physical Health

Dancing is a great cardiovascular exercise, as it requires constant movement that keeps your heart rate up. This improves heart health, of course, but also lung health and lung function. It\’s also a weight bearing exercise, which improves muscle and bone strength. Finally, it can improve your flexibility and balance, as well. Perhaps the biggest advantage to this activity as a form of exercise is that it is fun and exercise that you enjoy is exercise you\’re more likely to do on a regular basis.

Improve Your Mental Health

While the physical benefits of dancing are pretty obvious, the mental effects were a surprise to researchers. In a 21-year study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, researchers found that, of all the mental and physical activities tested, dancing regularly correlated to a lessened chance of developing dementia or Alzheimer\’s disease. The effect was more than twice as good as reading and 33 percent better than crossword puzzles. None of the other physical activities tested showed any affect on mental health and function.

The social aspect of dancing also plays a role in its salubrious mental effects. Regular social activity keeps the brain engaged and prevents the mind from deteriorating from lack of exercise. Dancing is also linked to higher intelligence, as there seems to be some correlation between intelligence and the ability to keep time.

Dance as Therapy

Physical therapists use dancing to help those with some physical problems. This includes those who have suffered an injury and are attempting to regain their previous function. It also includes those with debilitating diseases, who use dancing as a way to keep their level of function from decreasing further and even improving their control and ability. It is also used as an alternative to talk therapy for those with mental health issues. This includes those who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and other mental health conditions.

Learn to Dance

There are many ways to learn to dance. In addition to paid private or group lessons through a studio or community group, you can also take classes through the local community college. Some activity centers also offer dance classes for free or at reduced charge. You can even learn on your own with instructional videos on DVD or the Internet.

It doesn\’t matter which type you choose to study. There are health benefits to all types, so pick the one that most interests you, whether it\’s ballet, jazz, modern, ballroom or square dancing. The important thing is to find a form that appeals to you and to give it a try. You don\’t even have to be particularly good at it. It\’s all about having fun and getting healthy while doing it.

Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre 509 Parliament Street Toronto, ON M4X 1P3? (416) 924-5657, a modern dance repertory offering classes in hip hop, ballet and more.

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for more information.

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