This spring, I am starting my ninth year of teaching a one-hour Swing Dance class each week at Gruene Hall. In those years, I have seen people of all ages come and dance, from little children to men and women in their 70'S and 80'S. My parents, Lew and Pat Simmonds, have been loving my class for years, and they are in their early 70'S.
What I notice is how much fun people are having while getting a great cardio workout! They don't even realize they are exercising! Swing dancing strengthens muscles, improves eye-hand coordination and improves balance and flexibility. You might even lose a few pounds having all that fun!
Listening to music you enjoy causes your brain to release dopamine, a "feel-good" neurotransmitter. When you combine this with dance, you can improve the quality of your life in numerous ways:
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Lift your mood
- Boost your health
- Enjoy better sleep
Dancing has a huge beneficial effect on our brains. A New England Journal of Medicine study of 11 physical activities found that dancing was the only one that lowered dementia risk by a whopping 76 percent.
What are you waiting for? Grab a partner and head to Gruene Hall and get your swing on! It's the most fun you'll ever have getting in shape!
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Join Michelle at Gruene Hall during the summer months on Tuesday evenings at 6:00. The hour-long class is followed by live music with Two Tons of Steel. It's a great way to practice your moves!
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