On Wednesday evening, I was greeted by a Knight in shining armor, a big-little German boy, Strawberry Shortcake and a Gorilla.  These were just a few of the 20 costumed dancers of all ages that attended “Monster Mash.”  For Halloween, Spa Koru presented a fun and active way to celebrate early!  I taught some choreography from the Michael Jackson classic, “Thriller.”  Every attendant came in costume and ready to have fun!

Dancing is a great way to stay fit and have fun!  Here are some of the benefits of dancing from www.dancescape.com:

The Benefits of Dancing

1. Forever Young. Dancing is tremendously beneficial in keeping us young. It retards the aging process immensley. It benefits our heart, cardiovascular system and increases our lung capacity. Fact: The muscle exertion and breathing rates of dancers performing in one dance competition is equivalent to those of cyclists, swimmers and an Olympic-level 800-meter runner.

2. Strong Bones, Lubricated Joints. Dance aids in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, which is a major concern for woman, especially during post-menopause because of the significant drop in estrogen that occurs at this stage. A decrease in our estrogen levels is what stops calcium from being absorbed into our bones. Dance also keeps joints lubricated, which helps prevent arthritis.

3. Calorie Blaster. Dance exercises our bodies to allow for increased circulation. It helps us burn those calories away, while improving our stamina. It is estimated that dance burns anywhere from 5 to 10 calories per minute depending on speed and intensity. For example, swing and mambo burn more calories than a slow waltz. Check out approximately how many calories you burn while dancing to your own tune: