By Saron Longo, Contributing Writer
THE PEOPLE – Whether it’s a memory of class, a crowded nightclub, or a related wedding, it’s likely that everyone has danced at one time or another. It can be done with a hesitant trepidation, moving to the back of the dance floor to follow along with an electric slide, or with the confidence and charisma of Travolta in “Saturday Night Fever.” In either scenario, dancing is a great way to get your blood flowing, lift your spirits, and also enjoy a social aspect.
The benefits of the body
When engaged in a classical composition or a spinning reggae rhythm or a pulsating disco, research shows that dancing has many benefits.
Due to open reasons, keeping the body mobile can help to improve fitness. Depending on the type of dance, some types provide more of an aerobic workout than others. Hip-hop can burn more calories than dancing or tango, and dance, jazz, jazz, polka, and disco are somewhere in between.
Dancing has been shown to improve physical fitness while also helping to lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels.
Second Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Fact Sheet for Older AdultsAnything that gets your heart beating faster, moderate intensity aerobic activity counts. This should be done for at least 150 minutes a week with at least two days a week of muscle strengthening activities that make the muscles harder.
Dance classes are specific to people with Parkinson’s, and studies conducted around tango have shown impairments such as backward walking and start/stop walking. While comparing the Argentine tango with the waltz and the foxtrot, improvements in mobility, movement, balance, and gait were shown in both freezing groups, but significantly in the tango group.
Chorus is said to use three planes of the body: coronal or frontal, separating the front from the back; sagittal or longitudinal separating the right from the left; and transverse or axial, separating the upper half from the lower half. Hence he carries with better balance and strength that he may fall.
Social aspects
Photo / Submitted
Because we join others with a single partner on the dance floor or dance floor, the social aspect of dancing is positive and can lead to better emotional well-being. Enjoying that opportunity to socialize with some good music has been shown to reduce depression symptoms in older adults.
Who doesn’t enjoy the camaraderie and laughter with others on the dance floor? Does he participate in line dancing, or joining hands to make a couple spin or clapping for a solo dancer who takes his turn to show off?
Dancing does not exclude anyone; if someone couldn’t walk, they could use their upper body to move to music.
“Chorus is more than just funClara Sanborn, a line dance instructor who teaches classes every Monday at the Agawam Senior Center. “Keeping active in mind and body having a good time is what it’s all about. We make friendships to make social in later years and fight loneliness and isolation that marked. “We support each other and look forward to staying active together. Let’s laugh, laugh, and just play!”
Mind and memory
According to Psychology Today magazine, dance therapy or dance/movement therapy can be used for all ages to help with a variety of conditions, mental health disorders, and other challenges, including depression, PTSD, and anxiety. Even without a treatment component, movement and expression alone can reduce stress, possibly lead to better sleep, and improve certain mood and energy levels.
The brain-body connection helps in learning and memorizing various dance moves with cognitive aspects. Some studies have shown that areas of the brain such as the frontal lobe, which helps with planning and organizing, as well as the hippocampus, which contributes to learning and memory, both improve with exercise. Having to focus on the movement and patterns in each dance is a great mental workout.
where to begin
Always check with a doctor who knows your health history before starting any exercise or new physical activity.
Decide what type of dance you enjoy. Would you like to join a hip-hop, Zumba, or cardio dance class for more aerobic benefits? Have you ever seen a crazy Tchaikovsky or hit to a great beat? Maybe you prefer to learn ballroom style working with a partner? Check for local gyms or preschools or adult schools, as well as senior centers to see what they have to offer. Many senior centers and community programs offer a variety of dance classes.
Check out YouTube for a variety of how-to videos if you’re feeling self-conscious for the first time. After you have practiced a little, and feel a little more confident in your movement, you dare to show what you have learned.
Whatever your style or experience level, dancing is a great way to get out and meet others, stay in shape and enjoy some music, move your body in an active way, and just have a good time.
CONTENT:
Hudson dancers/gymnasts continue to develop their 60-year relationship (fiftyplusadvocate.com)
Susanne Liebich – A life of purpose through dance (fiftyplusadvocate.com)
Retired ballet dancer promotes diversity as artistic director of Urban Nutcracker – Fifty Plus advocate
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