Music, Dance, Health

Dancing. Its fun, energizing, and great for your mental and physical health. My song of choice for today is "Vogue" by Madonna. I love rocking out to the queen of empowerment. She makes me feel strong, happy and beautiful. I just got home from school and the first thing I did was put on this song and started singing, quite badly, and dancing around the house. (I think I scared the cats.) Anyway, I thought I would share 5 of my favourite reasons why dancing is good for you. You don't have to be able to do all those acrobatic jumps and tricks that they do on Dancing with the Stars, I don't want you hurting yourself on my account, but just moving your body in any way that makes you feel comfortable and beautiful is a guaranteed mood-lifter. So here are my 5 reasons why you should turn up the tunes and shake that booty!

1. It's a fun way to burn calories and get fit.
An hour of vigorous dancing (think quickstep, not waltz) can burn up to 500 to 700 calories depending on your height, weight and fitness level. And it's a lot more fun than trudging along on the treadmill.
2. It wards off disease.
Studies by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute have shown that regular activity through dance can help prevent heart disease and decrease blood pressure. Dancing also helps strengthen your bones and joints, preventing osteoporosis, and keeps your weight in check, helping against diabetes. 
3. You'll get lean... and less mean.
Not only does dancing improve posture, flexibility and help manage weight, but it's also a proven stress and tension reducer for the mind and body. (Unless you're performing live in front of millions of viewers--I hear that can be pretty stressful.)
4. Music helps your brain work out too.
If you're dancing, you're probably doing it to some of your favorite tunes, which not only keeps your body moving, but your brain as well. A study in the Heart & Lung journal showed that people who listened to music while they exercised showed better "verbal fluency," as listening to music "may stimulate and increase cognitive arousal while helping to organize cognitive output." So turn up the stereo and get your brain in on the action!
5. Dancing with your partner can improve your relationship.
Discovering new steps together teaches couples to interact with each other. They're looking into each other's eyes, anticipating the next move. It opens up energy channels of feeling and connection. It rejuvenates everything. Dance has abilities to foster communication skills and respect, as well as relieve stress, as other positive influences on couples who learn to dance together.
http://www.buddytv.com/articles/dancing-with-the-stars/5-fun-facts-about-dances-healt-35765.aspx