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Kicking Up Your Heels Can Jump Start Your Body!
By Carolyn S. Peterson

The popularity of dance has been on the rise with the hit television shows ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ People have seen the way dancing can transform one’s body, but there are many other benefits to dance, and Jazzercise, a dance-based exercise program, helps you not only kick up your heels, but get your heart, mind and body in shape.

Dance – A Fun Way to Get Fit
Jeanne Thohan, owner of and instructor at Winston-Salem Jazzercise, has personally seen the difference the Jazzercise programs can make in one’s health and body.  “With dance at the center of the classes at Jazzercise, our clients have fun as they’re getting fit.  Recent studies have shown there are several health benefits to dance, beyond the positive cardiovascular benefits,” said Thohan. These four major benefits of dance, listed below, can help people of all ages and all stages of life improve their health.

Flexibility
“Keeping one’s muscles flexible is an important part of dance.  Through Jazzercise our instructors spend time helping our clients work on their stretching; achieving full range of motion builds strong muscles.  Over time we can lose our flexibility and that can lead to back problems, but building strong core muscles will strengthen back muscles,” stated Thohan.

Strength
The word strength is defined as the ability of a muscle to exert force against resistance.  Dancing builds strength by forcing muscles to resist against one’s own body weight.  “In each of our Jazzercise classes we use hand weights or other strength resistance equipment, such as Xertubes of stability balls, to strengthen the entire body and tone and shape the muscles,” commented Thohan.  In addition to increasing strength and toning muscles, strength resistance training increases metabolism, increases bone mass (and is an aid in the fight against osteoporosis), strengthens ligaments and joints, and improves daily functioning.

Endurance
Any time you begin an exercise program, you feel a little off the first couple of times.  Getting into the ‘groove’ and learning the moves has a learning curve, but as you persevere, your endurance increases.  “Endurance is the ability of muscles to work hard for increasingly longer periods of time without fatigue.  Jazzercise elevates the heart rate, increasing stamina,” said Thohan.  With regular participation in the classes offered at Winston-Salem Jazzercise, clients said they leave feeling energized, looking forward to the next class.

Sense of Well-Being
Studies have shown that when you exercise with someone or with a group or class, you are more likely to actually ‘show up’ and get your workout in for the day.  Knowing there is somebody, or several somebodies, waiting on you, who will miss your smiling face in class, adds an element of accountability to the activity.  “Jazzercise is not only a great way to exercise, but it is a social activity leading to many friendships that have started in our classes.  When you get your body moving, stress and tension are reduced and an overall sense of well-being occurs,” stated Thohan.

Jazzercise – For All Ages and All Stages of Your Life
The clients or students of Jazzercise are all ages, both male and female, and are in different stages of life.  Moms bring their daughters and older women find the workouts challenge their bodies and keep their minds active through following the routines.  “A recent study showed the benefits of dance on mental acuity.  Several recreational activities were studied, including reading, bicycling, swimming and dancing.  The study concluded that frequent dancing had the greatest reduction (76%) of any activity studied on the risk of dementia.  The movements in Jazzercise help people to focus their minds and also build their bodies through toning and strength training.  All accomplished in an hour!” commented Thohan.

Winston-Salem Jazzercise is located at 1540 Hanes Mall Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC behind Casual Furniture World.  For more information, call 768-6202 or visit www.winstonsalemjazz.com.