Would you like to improve the condition of your heart and lungs, muscle tone and strength, balance and spatial awareness, mental functioning, general and psychological wellbeing as well as increase your muscular strength, endurance and motor fitness, aerobic fitness, physical confidence, self-confidence and self-esteem, coordination, agility and flexibility as well as get better social skills, improve weight management and strengthen your bones to reduce the risk of osteoporosis? Obviously the answer is yes! According to Victoria Health, dancing can help you achieve all of this and the greatest bonus is that it’s fun.
Of the multitude of dance styles, ballroom, Latin, line dancing, square dancing, jazz, ballet, contemporary, tap, etc. etc., there’s bound to be one to suit every taste and age. Co.As.It. Community Services Ltd offers free Latin dance classes for anyone aged over 16, who can move independently without aids such as walking sticks or wheelies. The classes are held Thursday afternoons at the Italian Language Centre, Newbery Street, Newmarket and are taught by a qualified Latin dance teacher who breaks the steps down and goes at a pace suitable for even the most basic of beginners.
The physical health benefits listed above are fairly obvious, what is less obvious, however, is the benefit to mental functioning of creating new neural pathways, which happens when you’re learning new steps. The more complex your neural synapses are, the better your memory is. Learning anything new, such as choreography to a dance routine, is an effective way to create new neural pathways. As a result, your brain has an easier time accessing stored information and memories, such as names and places[i].
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine states that dancing decreases the risk of dementia by 76 percent. Other physical activities such as bicycling, swimming, and playing golf had no effect. Yet, dancing was even better for maintaining mental acuity than cognitive activities such as reading and doing crossword puzzles.
Classes are conducted in a COVID-safe environment with the option of dancing opposite partners without holding hands. People who live in the same household are welcome to use the correct dance hold, but there’s absolutely no need to have a partner. Come and make new friends, or bring some friends with you. Bookings are essential, so contact Cintia by phone, 3624 6100.
