We all can benefit from exercise irregardless of age. Some of the benefits of exercise include the promotion of better sleep, improvement of mood and mental health, and more! Different individuals enjoy different types of exercises and dancing can be a great activity for seniors to take up.
Experts say that dancing provides many benefits for seniors, including improving our cognitive function, elevating mood, improving strength, cardiovascular function and even our balance! We can practice dancing with a partner or take part in group dances.
Even if you are completely new to dance exercises for seniors, it is generally a safe physical activity that all seniors can participate in. Even individuals who suffer from chronic illnesses can do dance exercises safely. As always, it is advisable to seek your doctor’s advice or get their opinion before starting on a new exercise routine.
Look Good on the Dance Floor
Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie! Check out the different forms of dance that are recommended for seniors. Some of these dances include square dancing, tap dancing, line dancing, ballroom dancing and Jazzercise. The following are descriptions of the above-mentioned forms of dance so you can decide which one may be more suitable for you:
- Square Dancing: This is a dance for four pairs of dancers. Each couple will stand at one of the four different sides of a square formation. Although country music is typically used in square dancing, other types of music like pop, disco and techno have been played as accompaniment too. Not only is square dancing a great form of exercise that can improve your cardiovascular fitness, but it’ll also bring great enjoyment to you as you coordinate the moves with a partner.
- Tap Dancing: As a fun full-body exercise, tap dancing increases your heart rate and provides you with a healthy cardio workout where you can burn up to 600 calories per hour. Tap dancing can help us by improving leg strength, balance, and agility.
- Line Dancing: In line dancing, the most basic move is the cupid shuffle. You start with eight counts of side steps to the right before repeating the steps to the left. This is followed by eight counts of heel steps while staying in place. Next, you’ll do eight counts of stepping in place to turn a quarter to the left. These sequence of steps are then repeated. Line dancing is a fun and cognitively engaging physical activity that anyone can pick up.
- Ballroom Dancing: Ballroom dancing is a fantastic way to socialize and exercise at the same time. Consider taking a senior-friendly ballroom dance class to meet others with similar interests. A ballroom dance class can help you with your posture, balance and motor skills. And while dancing, who knows? You might even get to meet that special someone.
- Jazzercise: Jazzercise has been in the fitness dance scene since 1969. It is a full body cardio intensive workout that requires individuals to follow a series of choreographed moves set to upbeat music. A light and low impact activity, it is a form of dance exercise that is definitely suitable for seniors to try out.
Dance Classes at The Park Oak Grove
Dancing is viewed as a form of exercise but it also brings an element of lightheartedness and fun to us. Which dance exercises are you interested to try? Let’s start grooving to the beat and enjoy ourselves while keeping in shape.
