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Dance With Your Own Stars By Nancy Christie
Long before ABC Dancing with the Stars became a blockbuster success, passionate souls—hidden away in small studios across the nation—have been waltzing their way to lean legs, tight glutes, and sleek waistlines for years. Although the exhilaration of the music, the intricate moves, and the closely held partner is what Inspires most ballroom dancers to take to the floor, ballroom dancing is now being heralded as a great form of cardiovascular exercise.
According to a study done by Dr. Hermes Ilarraza of the National Institute of Cardiology in Mexico and presented at the World Congress of Cardiology in Barcelona, Spain. ballroom dancing can give as good an aerobic workout as more conventional forms of exercise. l followed a group of 40 heart disease patients. all of whom committed to doing half an hour of exercise a day, five days a week, for five weeks. Half of the study’s participants got their exercise from a dance routine choreographed by a professional dancer, while the others exercised on stationary bicycles. Ilarraza found that the dance group’s exercise capacity increased by 28 percent. almost as much as the 31 percent increase for the cycling group.
And let’s be honest, dancing is a lot more exciting than riding a stationary bike!
When the International Olympic Committee gave ball room dancing provisional recognition, it seemed that the rest of the world finally gave it their athleticism badge of approval, too, Hey, if an NFL football player, an undefeated world-champion boxer, and an Olympic gold medal speed skater were all up for the wooden-floor challenge, then it must be a legit workout that the rest of us should get in on! The secret is out: Dancing isn’t for sissies. It’s very cool!
When my clients ask what works and what doesn’t when it comes to some of the recent fit ness fads, I tell them that there is nothing more convincing than when “the proof is in the pudding!” just look at the bodies of professional ballroom dancers, and you can’t deny that it is a great workout. Yet, more than just their sexy legs or great physiques, dancers have a certain kind of assurance, poise, and confidence that other athletes just don’t seem to possess. Perhaps it is an energy that erupts—an energy that is hid den away in most of us and has been since we were children— that really gets our juices flowing and creates an inner excitement that carries over into the other areas of our lives. And, as far as weight loss is concerned, attitude and high self-esteem are two of the most important factors! Diet guru Jenny Craig said it best: “The most effective weight-loss aid available to mankind is self-love:’ And dancing is love personified!
A 140-pound person can burn an average of 350 calories in an hour of fast dancing such as swing, quickstep, and salsa, and can burn about 200 calories with slower styles like the tango or traditional ballroom (cha cha, foxtrot, and waltz). Plus, in addition to toning your leg muscles, dancing contributes to good posture and body alignment, it works your core and upper body, encourages gentle stretching, increases your flexibility and stamina, is weight- bearing so it builds healthy bones, and all that whirling and twirling helps you develop your balance like nothing else.
But let’s put the physical benefits aside for a moment; dancing can literally be life- changing. It can lift your spirit in a way that most other exercises can’t, and if you are struggling with depression or going through a tough life change like divorce, heading to a dance studio can be one of the best things you can do for yourself. Not only does your body begin to pump massive amounts of the feel-good hormone serotonin with each movement you make, but the music can ease an aching soul and the softly seductive physical contact with another human being can be exactly what most of us need. Sexuality without the sex! Dancing reawakens a nearly forgotten yet innate sense of chivalry and gracious ness that we all still secretly yearn for from time to time. Besides, ballroom dancing is not only ideal for the single. lonely, or overweight, it can also ignite passion back into even the longest and mundane of relationships, just imagine, you and your mate both feeling more fit. energized, and a whole lot sexi-er . . . together! Now that’s worth celebrating!
I It is important to check with your health care practitioner before beginning any exercise or supplement regimen
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