by Holly Marie Wright

Created on: May 24, 2009

Dance as Exercise, why in the world would we put these two words together. The word dance conjures up images of fun, friends, and relaxation. The word exercise conjures up images of sweat, hard work, and no fun. These words need put together because dance can be one of the best ways to exercise.

Dance provides all of the same benefits as exercise without the feeling of hard work. Dance will strengthen your cardiovascular system, tone your body, help you lose fat, strengthen muscles you forgot you had and even improve balance and coordination.

There are many diseases where dance is even part of the "prescription" to get better. Studies of Multiple Sclerosis patients have shown that dance and exercise slows the degenerative effects of the disease. Dance or any type of exercise just keeps us moving and feeling good.

If you want to add more strengthening to your dance routine just add ankle or wrist weights. You can enjoy all the same moves with a bit more resistance while burning even more calories.

Dance even brings with it a social aspect if you decide to dance in a group. Many seniors are dancing as a way to stay active whether it's something slower or more upbeat. They have proven the adage of if you don't use it you will lose it. The more active you stay as you grow older the more agile and stronger you will stay. They are also meeting new friends and even new spouses as they get away from home and enjoy the truly golden years. Keep in my most partner dance classes don't require that you bring a partner with you.

If you are in a time crunch you can even bring a dance routine into the your home through DVDs, the web or even the fitness channel. Never under estimate how much fun a 20 minute routine can be or how fit you can become if you practice three times a week.

There are many different types of dance that you can enjoy depending on your interests. You can try out Jazzercise, Line dancing (remember how the good old Eectric Slide gets the heart pumping), Zumba, Salsa, or good old ballroom. There is even ballet and tap for when you enter into new age groups. A good place to check for locations and schedules is your community paper or website.

Have you selected your favorite style, we shall be on our way then, I hear them counting the steps out now. One, Two, Three.... Remember everyone is there to have a good time so don't feel self conscious if you don't get the steps right at first. There is a reason they call it dance class. One, Two, Three... Let's tango....

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