2 Samuel 6:14a David danced before the Lord with all his might.
Dancing reduces depression, stress, anxiety, and insomnia. Dancing also reduces joint pain and stiffness. After 12 weeks of dance, a group of 80-year-olds decreased their pain medications by 39 percent. Dancing protects your heart as much as cycling or walking. It will also lower your blood pressure and cholesterol and help you maintain a healthy body weight.
Dancing defends against dementia. When compared to other leisure activities like playing golf, doing crosswords, reading, and cycling, dancing appears to offer the best chance of helping stave off dementia. Aging adults who danced regularly had a 76 percent reduced risk for developing dementia. Experts theorize that dancing is beneficial for our brains because it combines cardiovascular exercise with split-second decision making that taxes our neural network, forcing it to create new pathways.
Dancing happens to be a universal form of exercise and recreation as well. Seniors with conditions like Parkinson’s disease, dementia, cancer, arthritis, asthma, and heart disease can all participate. Research into using dance as a therapy for each of these ailments has unearthed a host of advantages and very few risks. However, it’s always important to clear any exercise with a doctor before beginning a new regime, especially for those with existing health conditions.
CSA has a children's ballet program that uses our building for exercise and fun! Maybe we need a dance class for seniors?!
Pastor Curtis