Dancing improves your brain function
By Piyali Somaia On May 5th, 2016
Dancing improves cognitive function and reduces the risk of dementia according to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine. In this study, 469 people over the age of 75 participated in different leisure activities and were monitored over their remaining lifetime. None of these people had dementia at the beginning of the trials. The physical activities were dancing, group exercises, bowling, walking, stair climbing, housework, babysitting, tennis, golf, swimming and cycling.
The results showed that out of all the physical activities tested in this study – dancing was the only one that was linked to reducing dementia.
Another study has found that attending dance classes (in this case, the Argentine Tango) could have potential benefits for people already at certain stages of Parkinson’s Disease. Trials are being conducted across the world by Latrobe University and University of Melbourne to test this type of dance therapy.
What does this mean? Well it proves that whatever age you are, dancing can only be a positive thing – both physically and mentally. The benefits of physical activity such as dance is well known such as improving flexibility, balance, endurance and mood. But the benefits to your brain function are an added incentive to get your dancing shoes on! Whatever your age, we encourage you to participate in some form of dancing, whether it’s a dance class or bopping around the living room to music with your kids or grandkids. It is never ever too late to start.
We are passionate about sharing the benefits of dance and would love for you to join us for our first OPEN Bollywood classes starting on May 25th 2016! We promise it will be a fun and positive way to get moving and learn something new!
