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Dance and Emotional Well-being.

Dance With Me!!!

I can hear the echo. I can feel the kinesthic sensation awaken from the depths of my childhood memories. My inner listening is emerging out music from some of my favorite musician like, Bob Hope, Frank Sanatra. Get up, take my hand and let’s dance.

Dance can empower individuals and communities as a whole. The older adult needs the uplift, inspiration and healing sensation derived from dancing. Dancing is a form of activity that is very nice to our joints. Your body cardiovascular, pulse respiratory fitness. To achieve this, you have to sustain dancing at least up to 25-30 minutes.

Dancing is very rewarding exercise program and very therapeutic to older adults.” It is a psychotherapeutic engagement of movement, in turns furthers the emotional, cognitive, social and physical integration of the individual”

Breaking it down:
Do you know that dance can enhance/improve?

1. Bone density in older adults with osteoporosis by significant increase in their bone mineral density?
2. Psychological/benefit –social dance such as ballroom and line or square dancing, brings out the best in older adults with cognitive impairment.
3. Social dancing has been pointed out as number one stimulators in older adults, which has enhanced:
   (a). Communication
   (b). Social engagement
   (c). Positive feelings which up lifted their self-esteem.
4. That older adults with cognitive impairment can still recall dance activities he/she participated in days ago.
5. “Dancing has been proven to be the only physical activity with a lower risk of Dementia”.

Dancing increases flexibility and balance in older adults, by increasing their mineral density, which prevents falls.

Remember: Dancing techniques are unique. You must remember that you are unique too. You have responded naturally to the sound of music. I can see you jiggling your feet, head and finger with pleasure.

“Line dancing is one of the best ways to incorporate activities that yield both aerobic and balance benefits in older adults”.

Suggestions:
You can obtain more information about dance therapy in older adults from American Dance Therapy Association.

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