Salsa Dancing for Seniors
Do you enjoy a little boogie on the dance floor from time-to-time? Salsa for Seniors could be just for you!
Salsa for Seniors is a not-for-profit health and wellbeing program for people over the age of 55 with a motto of ‘meet, dance, live.’ It aims to help seniors of all ages to feel young again and remain physically active, mentally stimulated and socially connected.
“It’s a program where people can come together, they can dance, eat, socialise, feel good about themselves and have a laugh,” says salsa instructor, Beatriz.
“It’s a platform for older people to age in a very creative way.”
The salsa dancing classes cater for seniors of all abilities, mobility and levels of experience. It helps promote positive mental and physical health while maintaining a light and fun atmosphere.
“The feedback we get from the students is that it is very easy to follow and they enjoy coming back,” says Beatriz.
“Drinking tea, eating cake and socialising are just as important as the dance moves.”
Still not convinced? Check out our salsa dancing video below to see just how fun one of the classes can be. You can also visit salsaforseniors.com or contact your local Council to find out about programs and dance classes available in your area.
Meet-Dance-Live. That’s the motto for Salsa for Seniors. It’s a health and wellbeing program for people over 55. Beatriz and Michael, the salsa instructors, tell us how the program is for seniors to age with each other in a creative way.
It helps promote positive mental and physical health while maintaining a light and fun atmosphere. We get to see how fun one of the classes can be.
Health benefits of dancing
If salsa dancing isn’t your jam, that's OK! There are many other dancing styles on offer to keep your body moving. Whether it’s ballet, Latin, ballroom, or hip-hop, research suggests that dancing improves our strength and muscle function and increases balance and flexibility, which in turn leads to better stability and fewer injuries.
Some other health benefits of dancing include:
- stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis
- better coordination, agility and flexibility
- increased muscle strength, endurance and motor fitness
- improved balance and spatial awareness
- greater self-confidence, self-esteem and improved social skills
- improved mental functioning
- better weight management
- improved cardiovascular health
- reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia.
Check out our tips for improving your balance through exercise.
Tips for dancing
It’s always best to check with your doctor before starting any new exercise regimen or sporting activity to make sure it’s safe for you to do so.
If you have limited balance, you can try seat dancing which is a seated exercise, or line dancing which puts less impact and stress on your joints.
Here are some other tips to consider if you’re thinking of taking up a dance class in your senior years:
- drink plenty of water before, during and after dancing - remaining hydrated is important
- do warm up activities before you start a dance session
- make sure you rest between dance sessions
- don’t push yourself too hard too soon, especially if you’re a beginner
- wear comfortable clothing that you can move in, including properly-fitted shoes
- cool down after dancing by doing some slow stretching
- if you're new to dancing and you're not sure what style you'd like to try, there are plenty of videos on YouTube that you can watch to find a style you like.
If dancing isn't for you, there are plenty of other exercise programs suited for seniors that you can sign up for.
Retirement living at IRT
If you’re interested in downsizing your house and upsizing your life, IRT has more than 30 retirement villages across NSW, Qld and the ACT that offer a range of lifestyle activities. Find out more about the possibilities of village life and how one of our independent living communities can support you to live your best life.
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