"The groundwork of all happiness is health." - Leigh Hunt

Let's dance! How Rhythmic Movement Can Improve Your Health

Both music and exercise help prevent and reverse disease. Combining the 2 can have more advantages than either alone.


Photo: iStock

Dance is a universal human experience. We dance to precise joy, have fun life events, and enact religious and cultural rituals. Dance also has physical and cognitive advantages that will exceed other types of exercise.

What dance does on your health

How to start

If you've ever danced, you already know how much fun it may possibly be. Even in case your rumba is a bit rusty or your back stride has slowed down, getting back into the swing will be easier than you're thinking that. If you're not able to jump on the dance floor at the following wedding or class reunion—possibly you're a bit shy or feel like you will have two left feet—there are still ways you'll be able to dance. can enjoy.

Take a category. Many Y's and senior centers offer some type of group instruction for people of all skill levels. You can take lessons in Tai Chi (a meditation practice often performed to relaxing music) and Zumba (an aerobic workout that mixes steps and movements with a wide range of traditional dances, often Latin music). There is a possibility of Learning recent ballroom dance styles will be fun and difficult. If you don't have a partner, there's a world of folks and line dancing that doesn't require pairing with one other person. Many dance studios and square dance and contra dance groups create a friendly atmosphere for people by promoting partner rotation, where you modify partners and dance with someone recent every time. You may also consider taking over (or resuming) tap, which builds bones, or ballet to strengthen core muscles and improve balance.

Dancing at home. If you need to practice privately, there are a wide selection of dance instruction videos on the Internet, corresponding to the favored “Dance for Dummies,” which show the steps in slow motion and help you move at your individual pace. are Your public library can also stock instructional dance videos which are available to ascertain out. All you would like is comfortable clothing, a pair of supportive shoes, and enough room to maneuver freely.

“In any case you're getting the benefit of being connected to the music, so you're engaging a part of the brain that isn't necessarily being tapped when you're doing something more rote like walking. Yes,” says Dr. Elson