Dancing for Health: Good for You, and Fun
Italian study shows benefits of dancing for health

Heaven… I’m in heaven,
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak.
And I seem to find the happiness I seek,
When we’re out together dancing cheek to cheek.
- Irving Berlin

Try Dancing for Heart Health
A study conducted by medical researchers in Italy found that people with heart failure who took up waltzing improved their heart health, their breathing and their quality of life significantly more than those who exercised by bicycling or walking on a treadmill.
The dancers also reported other benefits of dancing for health: slightly better results for sleep, mood, and their ability to have sex, pursue hobbies and do housework than the group that followed more traditional exercise programs.
• 44 men and women exercised by cycling and walking on a treadmill three times a week for eight weeks
• 44 people danced, alternating between slow five-minute waltzes and fast three-minute waltzes for 21 minutes, three times a week for eight weeks.
• The other 22 people who took part in the study did not exercise.
Both exercise and waltzing improved heart health and breathing among study participants. Those who did not exercise at all saw no improvement.
The Benefits of Dancing for Health
In many ways, dancing for health makes sense. Dancing allows you to work at your fitness level, increasing speed and footwork as your strength and stamina improve. Other benefits of dancing for health include:
• Using more of your muscle groups for overall toning
• Improving balance, which can help you avoid falling injuries
• Reducing stress
• Improving your social life and making new friends
• Having fun and feeling young

Come in and sign up today to better your health!