While being an activities director for an assisted living community for nearly 10 years, I was always compiling articles and writing them too on keeping an active mind, an active body and an active spirit. The one activity which I believe has more positive benefits than most is without a doubt square dancing.  There's the physical, the mental and sociable benefits in square dancing.  Most think about the physical, some think about the sociable, but very few non dancers know about how mentally stimulating modern western square dancing can be.  Here is just an excerpt from a couple writings that have come across my desk recently. 

This article was printed by CALLERLABfor a press release.

Square dancers have known for a long time how beneficial this activity can be. One of the major

benefits is the joy of joining with other square dancers for an evening of dancing and

friendship. The social benefits of being with friendly people who also enjoy our activity are tremendous.

Now we have a medical study which provides even more ammunition to the discussion

that square dancing is good for you. The following article provides information about this

study. Please read it and make copies of this Press Release for your friends. Let them know

how much square dancing can benefit them.

WASHINGTON, June 19 (UPI) -- Mentally challenging activities like playing chess or bridge

can significantly reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease according to a new study.

Seniors who engaged in pastimes like playing a musical instrument or even checkers lowered

their risk of developing dementia by as much as 75 percent, the Washington Post reports, compared

with those who didn't exercise their minds. Citing a study lead by Joe Verghese, a neurologist

at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, the results add to an increasing

body of evidence. "I see a lot of elderly patients -- They have so-called senior moments -- they go

in a room and forget why they are there. One thing I advise is for them to increase their participation

in cognitively stimulating activities." Such benefits are widely available and inexpensive

and seem to benefit all levels of education and intelligence. Unfortunately, the Post reports,

watching television doesn't count.

Our dancing activity is targeting the Baby Boomers and the Empty Nesters right now. We are trying to let them know that this isn't the same old do sa do they may recall from way back when.  Modern Western Dancing is quite casual and cool.  I've had many Boomers ask me to print off the 'health' benefits of square dancing, so I will get on it right away.

NEW CLASSES START NEXT WEEK TUESDAY FEBRUARY 20TH AT 6PM call Cory at 814-937-4815