Senior And Still Kicking Dance Lessons Make For Great Heart Workouts

Senior and Still Kicking – Dance Lessons Make for Great Heart Workouts

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!