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eLearning Series:
I'm an Active Senior
Who Wants To Stay Healthy
( 50 aticles in this series )
Dance
Lessons For Seniors
Are a Great Cardio Workout
Just
thirty minutes of exercise five times a week has been shown
to bring health benefits. Sleeping becomes
more restive, arthritis and joint aches decrease, and energy
levels increase. In addition, bone mass is maintained, protecting
us from fractures due to accidental falls. Besides the physical
benefits, regular exercise has been shown to aid in the maintenance
of mental functioning.
Keeping our hearts
healthy is especially important for us
seniors. Cardiovascular exercises, which increase heart rate,
keep our hearts in shape. Regular exercise has also been shown
to lower blood pressure, freeing our heart from some of the
effort in moving blood through our system.
Yet many of us don’t
find much joy in regimented work outs.
We know that we need regular cardiovascular exercise to stay
heart-healthy, but what activities can we find to avoid the
tedium of typical exercise programs?
I find dancing to be just such an activity. Dancing allows
me to get my heart pumping and my limbs moving without having
to endure the boredom of exercising on a treadmill or at a
gym. In addition to keeping my heart healthy, dancing regularly
also helps me to maintain balance and coordination. Besides
the physical activity, dance lessons and events allow me to
get out of the house regularly and make and meet friends in
a social setting.
Local organizations, universities, community and, sometimes,
churches hold dancing lessons and events that are open to people
of all abilities and skill levels. If you haven’t danced in
awhile, or even if you’ve never tried it before, it’s never
too late to learn. Adding another skill to your list never
hurts, and dancing is an ability that comes in handy mighty
often. Dance lessons are typically offered by style (ballroom,
folk, Latin, swing, et cetera) and ability level (beginner,
intermediate, advanced, competitive). Most dances that you’re
probably familiar with fall into the category of “ballroom
dancing.”
Ballroom
dancing is performed with a partner (don’t worry;
there are typically a number of “singles” taking lessons. You’ll
be able to pair off when you go to the lesson). Everything
from the internationally renowned waltz, to the classic American
Foxtrot, to the Latin salsa and cha-cha, fall into the category
of ballroom dance.
Folk
dancing typically refers to square-dancing, contra dancing,
or one of several Irish, Scottish, or English styles of dance.
Folk dances can sometimes be more social than ballroom dances
(since partners typically split up and join with others during
the course of the dance). Other popular styles of dance include
swing, Latin, traditional and many others. Feel free to explore.
Books
and videos can also be found online, if you just need
a refresher, or would rather get the basics in the comfort
of your own home.
Before kicking off your shoes and heading to the dance floor,
it’s important to get your body warmed up. Just like any physical
activity, preceding it with some good stretching will help
you get the most out of it. Stretching and warming up also
aids in preventing injuries and will avoid soreness and stiffness
after you’ve finished.
If you’re just beginning to use dance as exercise, ease into
it. Pay attention to the signals your body sends to you. If
you start to feel stiff or sore, take a few minutes break and
stretch a little bit to limber up the muscle. If your joints
ache or become inflamed, you may be overdoing it. Avoiding
pain or injury will allow you to hit the dance floor more often
and for longer periods of time, so know your limits and don’t
push your body too far.
Always remember, you’re the one taking the dance lesson. Move
at your own pace. Don’t feel pressured to keep up or to take
part in every aspect of the lesson. If you feel uncomfortable
or unsafe with a particular feature of the lesson, sit out
for a minute or two, or practice another part that you’ve already
learned. Nobody expects you to risk your safety over a dance
move!
If you’re looking for a great way to be heart-smart, stays
fit, and meet new people, try dancing. Dance lessons allow
us to try something new, exercise, and take part in a social
activity all at the same time. Find a style that interests
you, pick the appropriate skill level, find a place, and dance! Click here to discover my current SolveYourProblem recommendation and choice pick for the fastest, easiest and best exercise / fitness solution you'll find anywhere. Get it and reward yourself with more more energy and a healthier life.
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by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2006
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