Dance Is Delightful
For a fun way to get moving, try dance.
It connects you with others.
- Relax with others who want to have a good time, too.
- Ask your partner--or someone you want to get to know--to join you.
- Dancing is a wonderful way to make new friends.
It's easy exercise.
- Dance improves your coordination, balance, and muscle control.
- Dance helps with your posture and helps you stand tall.
- Dance is a great form of aerobic exercise-- it gets your heart pumping and your lungs working.
It can help you express yourself.
- Dance can help you speak without words.
- Dance helps you remember that--as Frank Sinatra said--we're still "young at heart".
- You can go as fast or slow as you want to go.
- Dance builds confidence. It may also help you feel more independent.
It's great for your mind.
- Dance keeps your mind active.
- Dance lets you be creative and try new things.
- Ballroom dancing may even keep your memory strong!
Dances to Try
- Square dancing
- Country line dancing
- Ballroom dancing
- Folk dancing, including "contra dancing " (try the Hora, the Virginia Reel, or Cotton-Eyed Joe)
Dancing Tips
- Get started. Use a slow dance to warm up.
- Pick up the pace. Or switch to a dance with a faster tempo for a few minutes. Doing so will get your heart rate up.
- Cool down. Choose another slow dance when you're almost ready to leave the dance floor.
Kick Up Your Heels!
Talk with you doctor to get the "okay" to start dancing. Then call your local senior citizen center, community dance organization, or church or synagogue about dance classes near you.
Can I Dance by Myself? Can I Sing Along with the Music?
Dance and sing away. Music brings the spirit of the songwriter and the musicians into your home. Happy and quick music gives you energy. Sad and romantic music can bring back memories and can help when you're sad or blue, especially if you move to the music.
Pick a time of day to dance—maybe in the early morning or after breakfast, or in the late afternoon before supper. Choose four or five songs that you enjoy. Stretch, focus on your posture, and move slowly during the first song. Start moving with more gusto during the second song. Move gracefully and cool down with the last slow song.
When you come up with the songs you like to dance to, you can ask your teenage grandchildren or a friend to "burn a CD" of your favorite dance music for you.
