DEFY AGING: FIND A LOCAL BALLROOM DANCE CLASS

7 reasons Ballroom Dancing helps defy the aging process.

Did you know that participating in a ballroom dance class can actually retard the aging process? Here are 7 reasons that Ballroom Dancing helps defy the aging process.

1. HEART HEALTHY

It strengthens not only the heart, but the whole cardiovascular system and increases lung capacity. What a great way to get that ticker into shape… much better than running on a treadmill!

“Folks with heart failure who waltzed for 21 min., 3 times a week, increased their cardio-circulatory fitness more than those on cycles and treadmills.” (AARP Magazine May/Jun 2007)

2. PREVENT OSTEOPOROSIS & ARTHRITIS

As women age, a drop in estrogen causes a drop in the amount of calcium absorbed into bones. Women who dance maintain higher estrogen levels keeping therefore absorbing more calcium and keeping bones strong. Dance also keeps joints lubricated, which helps prevent arthritis.

3. BURN FAT.

Dance equals increased circulation, which burns calories while improving stamina. Ballroom dancing dance burns from 5 to 10 calories per minute depending on speed and intensity. For example, swing and mambo burn more calories than a slow waltz.

4. LOWER CHOLESTEROL.

It is important to measure both good and bad cholesterol levels to measure good health. Dancing aids in lipid control, which raises our HDL (good cholesterol), and lowers our LDL (bad cholesterol). Dancing also aids in blood sugar control, making it a great choice for diabetics.

5. FEND OFF ALZHEIMERS.

Stay fit AND improve memory. Ballroom dancing requires that the brain recall steps, routines and dance patterns which means it’s a great mental exercise. The big benefit is that increasing mental exercise keeps the mind young, quick, alert and open.

6. IMPROVE BALANCE & COORDINATION.

Ballroom dancing requires balancing in a number of positions. This strengthens the stabilizer muscles, while protecting the core and preventing injury in everyday activities. Dancing also aids in coordination and helps strengthen reflexes. It is a great way to keep the central nervous system in tip-top shape by improving the body-mind connection.

7. MAKE ENDORPHINS.

Dance elevates endorphin levels, which creates a good mood. This heals both stress and depression — two of the immune system’s biggest enemies! It also helps establish self-confidence and self-discipline AND improves the harmony between mind and body. End result: well-being.

Filed Under: Ballroom, Facts, Fitness, For Adults, Guide, Information, Resources, Salsa, Styles, Swing, Waltz

Can You REALLY lose weight with a Ballroom Fitness Video?

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DVD Review: Cardio Ballroom with Julianne Hough

Every week we see the Stars on Dancing With the Stars dropping pounds and getting more fit – but can it work for you or me? Superstar Dancer Julianne Hough’s new Cardio Ballroom might just be the ticket!

As a Ballroom Dance instructor, I see the benefits of dancing everyday, but that’s in my studio. I wasn’t so sure that a video could produce results – until I watched Julianne in action.

What I like best about this Dance with Julianne: Cardio Ballroom is that it’s for everyone – non-dancers and dancers alike. If you know nothing about dance, you’ll learn a TON and get a great workout. If you already know a bit, you’ll be able to pump up the energy and get a great workout. It’s a win-win because it’s so fun.

This 55-minute video will get your heart rate up and make you sweat – AND you’ll learn famous dance steps in the process! Julianne is upbeat and excited and it impossible to resist her personality.

The Cha Cha Jive and Paso Doble are calling you to a slimmer you – the fun way!

Here’s Julianne talking about the workout…

Filed Under: Dance Video, Fitness, Resources, Reviews, Styles

The FUN way to Burn Calories – and other Benefits

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Meg McConahey of the Press Democrat recently wrote an article called “Dancing the Pounds Away” featuring the fitness benefits of Ballroom Dancing. While this is something we’ve known for years, it seems as though studies are now proving the ‘theory’!

“Whether it’s the rumba, tango or waltz, participants say the time flies”

Here’s a quick recap!

Ballroom Dancing Burns Calories and Improves Cardiovascular Health

Have you heard to the Mayo Clinic? Their respected newsletter encourages readers “to try ballroom dancing as a way to burn calories and improve cardiovascular health”.

Have you heard of California State University at Long Beach? They are also conducting studies on the benefits of ballroom dance. They have found that “beginning students can get their heart rates up to near-maximum training rates with a five minute warm-up and 20 minutes of cha-cha or swing dancing. Moderate ballroom dancing can burn up to 300 calories an hour.”

Ballroom Dancing Decreases the Risk of Dementia

The Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York also studied ballroom dancing. Their focus was on the elderly and dementia. Their study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Ballroom Dancing was the only physical activity they found that decreased risk for dementia. This is great news for anyone who engages in social dancing (or who might want to start!)

Become a Ballroom Dance Instructor

Meg also interviewed a few instructors that did some experiments of their own. On teacher attached a pedometer to himself and found that he was traveling 8½ miles across the dance floor in a day and burning 600 calories an hour!

Keys to a Great Class: Accessible and Non-Judgemental

One of the Dance Fitness instructors that Meg interviewed says “if you make the movements fun and simple and repeat them with transitions, toward the end of a song they can start playing with it,” she said. “And when play happens is when they want to repeat it and hear that song again.”

And that means they’re more likely to come back — again and again.

To read Meg’s entire article: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20110121/LIFESTYLE13/110129886?p=1&tc=pg

Filed Under: Ballroom, Facts, Fitness, Information, Resources