Health Benefits of Salsa Dancing:

Imagine you are out on the dance floor laughing and loving every moment of the salsa beat. You might be thinking of joining a salsa class for fun or maybe to lose some weight and stay fit. Salsa dancing offers a combination of health benefits beyond just having a good time and enjoying the music.

In a recent study by the Mayo Clinic, researchers reported that social dancing helps to:
-Reduce stress
-Increase energy
-Improve strength
-Increase muscle tone and coordination

The amount of calories that are burned per minute depend on the person's individual weight and speed of dancing. However, on average for a 150lb person dancing at a medium speed, dancing can burn as many calories as riding a bike or swimming. Check out these figures:

Swing Dancing: 235 calories per hour
Ballroom Dancing: 265 calories per hour
Salsa Dancing 420+ calories per hour. Yep, you can lose weight while having fun at the same time!
Aerobic Dancing: 540+ per hour

In addition, another study conducted by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute reports that dancing can:

-Lower the risk of heart disease
-Decrease blood pressure
-Manage weight
-Strengthen the bones of the legs and hips.

In a total picture, the mental benefits combine for a complete mind and body connection. Not only does dancing increase confidence, but develops communication and social skills. Studies have also shown a decrease in depression and Alzheimer's Disease. In this study by the New England Journal of Medicine participants over the age of 75 engaged in reading, dancing and playing musical instruments had a 7% lower risk of dementia compared to others who weren't active. By increasing the activity to 11 days a month, the results increased to a 63% lower risk. See? remembering all those moves really pays off!

So, keep dancing. You'll have fun, lose weight and keep your mind, body and spirit happy.