Dodie Prescott
This is the final article in our summer series about the benefits of dancing. As graceful and beautiful as dancing is, every dancer out there knows it’s hard work! And anyone who watches dancers most likely agrees. It’s no secret that dancing is an excellent way to stay physically fit; it is demanding on the body and melts calories. But did you know that dancing can also make you smarter?
The Albert Einstein College of Medicine published a study that reported dance has the possibility of being a powerful way to improve the health of the brain. The study’s research was centralized around the effect dancing has on the brain. The study stated that while exercise is beneficial for a person’s overall health, there were only a few specific exercises that have the biggest impact on the improvement of cognitive skills. These exercises are swimming, biking and dancing.
But what, scientifically, is the reasoning behind dancing making us smarter? The cerebral cortex and hippocampus elements of the human brain are very elastic and consistently revamp themselves after each use. Dancing uses these elements of the brain and increases the amount they are revamped. The more these elements are revamped, the better. This keeps them healthy and strong.
It has been shown that the areas of the human brain that are most affected by aging can be engaged, rewired and utilized before they are lost. Dancing stimulates these parts of the brain in such a constructive way that they are positively affected keeping the brain active and ready to learn or retain information.
Dancing is a great way to work out the body and brain. The stimulation provided by dancing can also help the brain process and remember more information. This happens because dancing challenges the brain. All the steps, music and routines exercise the brain. Memorizing new steps engages the brain and improves mental health.
The Ballroom Dance Club invites Quail Creek residents to join the club or renew their memberships. Come to socialize with friends and neighbors, enjoy wonderful gourmet meals and listen to big band music in the Crystal ballroom. Annual membership dues cover the member’s choice of 3 or 4 exclusive dinner dances with big-name bands playing ballroom style music. To join the club and experience these special evenings, contact Membership Chair Justine Lewis at [email protected], phone 399-4646 or visit the club’s website at http://quailcreekballroomdance.com.