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6 Healthy Advantages Of Ballroom Dancing Ottawa Senior Centers Offer

By Susan Powell


Once people retire, they often find themselves isolated. This can lead to depression and poor dietary habits. Not only do they avoid exercise, a lot of them stop moving altogether. It takes effort to stay active, and not all seniors like the idea of gyms. If you are in this category, consider grabbing a partner and signing up for the ballroom dancing Ottawa senior centers are offering.

Dance is great for toning muscles. When you are turning, spinning, and quick stepping, you are building strength in your muscles and toning your legs. You and your partner may not be aware of it, but couples dancing is a form of resistance training. Most senior men can't lift their partners above their heads, but they will see more toned abs and arms just by leading a partner around the dance floor.

Dancing can help prevent osteoporosis. One of the biggest problems people have as they age is bones and joints that start to get stiff and brittle. Enjoying this low impact activity will help strengthen them. It is great exercise for those who have had knee or hip replacements. Stronger bones will reduce your chances of injury.

Dance increases flexibility. If you don't stay active, your muscles will begin to get stiff. Muscles atrophy when people don't move. You can avoid that with dance routines. They will work all your muscles as you turn and twist. Even warming up is helpful. On your own you might not think to bend and stretch. Both men and women benefit from the muscle stretching that dance requires.

Dance burns calories. As people age, their metabolism slows down. This can cause weight gain even when you aren't eating more than you used to. Weight gain often makes exercising harder, and a lot of seniors eventually stop moving. Almost everybody can dance, on some level. It's easier, and more fun, than lifting weights and cardio. As you lose weight your attitude will improve.

Dance increases endurance and conditions the total body. If walking up a flight of stairs is getting harder and harder, you are losing endurance. You can elevate it with dance. When you first start, you will probably feel tired and short of breath fairly quickly. That's why instructors start students out slow. As you progress you will find yourself more relaxed and able to last on the dance floor as long as someone much younger than yourself.

Dance stimulates your brain. Dementia in general, and Alzheimer's in particular are scary diseases. Scientists don't know exactly what causes them, and there is no cure. Scientists do know that improving spatial memory can improve individuals' chances of avoiding these diseases. Spatial memory is the area of your brain you are using when you learn, and remember, dance steps.

Growing old is challenging. It takes work to remain active and engaged. Taking up dancing is a wonderful to get good exercise. It is food for your brain and a way to socialize with others who are learning along with you.




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