Most people sign up for dance classes because they want to either lose weight or do something else apart from their daily routines. Nevertheless, recent studies suggest that this art may be more than a form of exercise and entertainment. Attending dance classes may help people deal with Parkinson’s disease and improve overall wellbeing.

1. SURPRISNG BENIFITS OF
ATTENDING DANCE
CLASSES
The Studio Director
PO Box 3221, Monument, CO 80132
1-719-302-6029

2. Most people sign up for dance classes because they want to either lose weight or do
something else apart from their daily routines. Nevertheless, recent studies suggest that
this art may be more than a form of exercise and entertainment. Attending dance classes
may help people deal with Parkinson’s disease and improve overall wellbeing.
The case of Parkinson’s Disease
Dancing may prove to be therapeutic for those who are suffering from the effects of
Parkinson’s disease. This disease heavily affects the nervous system that affects body
movement. Its symptoms include tremors in hands, stiffness or slowing down when
moving.
A study by researchers at Montreal
Neurological Hospital and MUHC
revealed that Argentine tango might
ease the suffering of victims of
Parkinson’s disease. This dance
improved the balance and functional
mobility of patients to the point that
they moved even after the music
stopped.
Tango also proved to have modest
benefits on cognition and fatigue of
people with Parkinson’s disease. It is a
combination of movements and
fluctuating rhythms, which require
memory, attention control and
multitasking.

3. Improving Overall wellbeing
Some experts claim that dancing
may be good for the mood. It may
reduce depression, anxiety and stress. It
may also contribute to a person’s self-
esteem, ability to cope with situations
and overall sense of well-being. In a
publication titled Arts in Psychotherapy,
a study revealed that dancing tango may
be therapeutic and it may be an
alternative treatment for depression and
stress. Attending tango classes
significantly reduced stress and
depression levels. Classes also led to the
increased levels of mindfulness of
participants. Researchers recommended
that stress management programs
should include dance due to its
therapeutic claims.
These studies prove that dancing is more than an exercise and entertainment. Dance
improves the situation of people with Parkinson’s disease. It also boosts mental health
and confidence while battling stress, anxiety and depression at the same time.
RESOURCES:
http://www.thestudiodirector.com/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=tango+dancing+and+mindfulness+meditatio
n
http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/tango-dancing-may-help-parkinson-s-patients-with-motor-
function- balance-study-1.2336762