Dancing to Health: The Brain Boosting, Body Building Benefits of Square Dancing

Dance Your Way to Better Health with Square Dancing

Ellen Guthrie, Special to the Democrat

Discovering that learning new skills and staying socially active benefits your overall health might come as a pleasant surprise. However, what if there was an activity that could provide you with both brn stimulation and physical fitness in one engaging package? Square dancing offers this exciting combination of cognitive enhancement and aerobic exercise.

The Mayo Clinic recognizes square dancing as beneficial for its ability to burn calories, strengthen bones, and improve cardiovascular health due to the energetic nature of the dances. A recent study comparing square dance movements to walking and stretching activities highlighted an unusual advantage: square dancing places significant demands on both mental focus and physical agility, making it particularly effective at combating some of the mental declines associated with aginga benefit not seen in those who walked or stretched instead.

Square dancing is distinguished by its dynamic movement patterns that constantly shift as dancers follow the caller's instructions to form and transform into various geometric arrangements. This dance requires a step-by-step approach, starting from basic movements like the do-si-do and allemande-left, progressing towards more complex figures guided through calls. It's not just about following the music; constant recall of steps and swift adaptation to new directions.

Today’s square dancing has evolved from traditional barn dances into a modern adaptation that involves four couples forming squares under the leadership of an experienced caller. The goal is fluid group formations with dancers moving in different patterns, all synchronized by the caller's commands.

Here are some reasons why you might enjoy square dancing:

• Immediate Fun: Smiles soon appear as you start, laughter comes naturally and desire for more arises.

• Physical Fitness: Engaging almost constantly in movement without exhaustion from sustned effort, keeping your body active to the rhythm of music that forms shifting patterns with other dancers in your square.

• Mental Workout: Learning each step, reacting quickly to caller's instructions, and participating in less shape transformations that require not just following but anticipating movements. The challenge is finding out what comes next, adding excitement to the learning process.

• Easy to Learn: Achieving a sense of accomplishment from teamwork, making it an enjoyable social activity as you connect with others through shared experience.

Square dancing incorporates various music genres such as Rhythm and Blues, Golden Oldies, Gospel, Rock 'n' Roll, Country-Western, Holiday songs, current hits, and even Classical tunes to enhance the dancing experience. It serves as a stress reliever as dancers work together on overcoming mistakes, turning them into part of the fun.

Square dancing is an activity that suits most anyone in reasonable health conditions. Gracefulness or coordination are not prerequisites; there’s no worry about stepping on your partner's toes since you're typically moving in opposite directions. And , fancy footwork isn't required for square dance enjoyment.

Don't let a mouse get between you and the joy of square dancing. Join our fun at Tallahassee Senior Center's Capital Twirlers Square Dance Club open house events from 7-8 p.m. on January 22nd and 29th, where you can see demonstrations and participate in basic steps firsthand.

If you're keen to progress further after the introduction, lessons will commence on February 5th taught by internationally known caller Elmer Sheffield. With a $2 charge per person per lesson, beginner classes will continue every Monday night for approximately 12 weeks.

Dive into the exhilarating world of square dancing and experience both your physical health and mental agility flourish together with each step you take!

Let's celebrate life through movement. Join us, ignite your passion for dance, and explore a new dimension of fitness that promises to captivate every cell in your body!

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Contact Capital Twirlers Square Dance Club at Tallahassee Senior Center
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