When we think of dance, images of toddlers in pink ballerina tights or tap shoes often come to mind. However, dance classes have many benefits to adults as well, particularly as we age. Here, Joan Garrett Dance Arts Studio in Newark, OH, outlines how dance classes play an instrumental role in keeping us healthy beyond our youth.

Why Dance Is Good for Your Health

1. Mental Health

Dance can work wonders for your mental health. Like many sports, it triggers the release of mood-enhancing endorphins in the body, so taking dance classes can help you feel better emotionally. A 2011 study showed that dance helps to improve cognitive flexibility in aging adults, something that tends to decrease as we grow older.

2. Heart Health

Dance is an aerobic activity with varying pace that exercises the heart. University of California, Berkeley notes that dancing improves heart and blood vessel function. As such, it can help prevent heart disease and keep the heart functioning properly in later life.

3. Balance

Dance classes such as ballet teach students how to elongate the spine, control specific muscle groups, and coordinate movement between all parts of the body, all of which help with balance. In fact, recent studies show that it can be instrumental in helping the elderly retain balance and coordination, which prevents falls and injuries.

Dance classes can keep us healthy as we age. If you would like to partake in these benefits in Newark, OH, stop by Joan Garrett Dance Arts Studio. For more than 50 years, the studio has taught a variety of dance styles, including hip hop, tap, and jazz. The instructors patiently work with each student to help them develop and reach their full potential in a fun and supportive environment. Call the studio at (740) 344-8789 or visit their website for more information.