Blog We had a great time at the Christmas charity ball and at the Wayfarer Women’s 1920’s ball.

During August I have had time to read more articles of interest and I have come across three,which talk about the benefits of dancing.
One article stated that, not only did dancing keep dementia at bay, but also helped slow the progression of Parkinson’s.

A second stated that a german neuroscientist, Dr Christensen, claims that dancing not only boosts our muscles and balance, but can even increase the size of our brains. A study in Japan showed that before and after brain scans showed that listening to music helps with skills such as concentration and planning.

The third article said that just listening to music will cheer us up as the body’s pleasure chemical, dopamine, is released. So any activity that involves music can have as much of a positive impact on our wellbeing as exercising or losing weight. As dancing is exercise and can lead to weight loss it is a win-win solution.

LET’S DANCE!💃🕺

A recent study shows that dancing may help older women to remain living independently. It found that older women were 73% less likely to need help with routine tasks like bathing, dressing and eating.

Experts believe dancing makes daily life easier for older people by improving their sense of balance and thinking skills. Tokyo metropolitan institute of gerontology tracked over 1000 women aged between 75 and 84.

They took part in 16 different types of exercise. Women who danced were less likely to have a “disability ” meaning they needed partial, or total, help with daily activities.

This was reported in the Daily Mail on December 19th 2018

Once September arrives I know that the summer break is over and it’s time to get back to work, not that dancing feels like work.

So on Sunday 2nd I was up very early as I needed to be in Addlestone by 9.30am bright eyed and bushy tailed. As the traffic was kind I was able to grab an egg muffin and a takeaway coffee (in my reusable mug) before going in.

I always enjoy these sessions not only for the dance lectures but also it is a chance to meet up with friends and colleagues. It was especially so this year as I was unable to travel to Southport in July for the annual conference.

The first lecture was rumba. We were taught a super amalgamation of figures and it was great to back on the dance floor again. Next a freestyle lecture; this involved floor work so I enjoyed learning by watching and listening rather than doing. Then musical theatre; a choreographed routine with a circus theme. I was itching to get up but it involved singing and memories of my children shouting “Mum stop!” every time I started to sing at home kept me in my seat. The lecture was excellent however and I’m sure it will help me improve my performance when I am tap dancing, which I do for fun. The final lecture of the morning was ballroom and we all had great fun learning new groups in the waltz and the quickstep especially when we were trying to get our hops, points and chasses in the right order.

Lunch was another opportunity to catch up with people before the business meeting in the afternoon. It was a great day and I am now itching to get started teaching my ballroom, Latin in Line and flex n stretch classes that start next week. In the meantime I am preparing for the new course, Dancing through the Decades which starts in October.

HAPPY DANCING  👣