History of Ballroom Dancing
Did You Know…
Did you know that Ballroom dancing can be used as a weapon for anti-aging? Specific results that you may see from Ballroom dancing include stronger bones, a slower heart rate, an increase in stamina and agility, improved posture and a sharper mind. In fact, there is growing evidence that dancing can assist in warding off Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia!
In a 21-year study of people aged 75 and older led by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, frequent dancing was the MAIN physical activity that aided in the prevention of dementia. Surprisingly, dancing even outscored activities such as reading books and crossword puzzles. Here is a portion of they found:
• Reading- 35% reduced risk of dementia
• Biking or swimming- O%
• Doing crossword puzzles at least 4 days/week- 47%
• Playing golf- 0%
• DANCING OFTEN- 76%!
Ballroom dancing combines the physical, mental and spiritual creating the perfect recipe for a long, healthy life. So if you’re looking to stay young and live life to the fullest, just dance!
A Brief History of Ballroom Dancing
Ballroom dancing comes from the word “ballare” meaning “to dance”? A ballroom, therefore, is known as a place to dance.
Ballroom dancing spawned from folk dances like the Minuet and the Polonaise in the late 16th century. Once shunned for being inappropriate because of the “closed hold” between dancers, ballroom dancing soon became popular among the privileged, leaving behind its folk dancing roots for the lower classes.
In the early 20th century, modern ballroom dancing evolved with the onset of jazz music. Popular dances including the Foxtrot, Tango, Waltz and Cha Cha Cha were created between 1910 and 1930. Each of these dances are still used today both socially and in ballroom dance competitions.
Modern day ballroom dancing encompasses a variety of partner dance styles. Used as an umbrella term for partner dancing in general, “ballroom” dancing includes Latin and swing.
Ballroom dancing has earned positive recognition most recently through television shows like Dancing With The Stars and So You Think You Can Dance. Everyday onlookers can now appreciate the efforts it takes to become a great dancer through these kinds of programs. Ballroom dancing has received such recognition as a sport in fact, that it is being considered for the Olympics in the future.
