Ballet For Seniors

Physical exercise is important among older adults to keep their body fit and firm. One of many physical exercises that can be performed by the elderly is dancing. And according to a new study, older people who participated in dance hobbies tend to be physically fit and mentally healthy.

Dancing Is More Than An Art

Most people view the act of dancing as an activity to entertain others. But for dancers who understand its meaning, a dance is a performance that consists of sequences of human movement, which represent emotions or messages through symbolic formations. Ballet is a type of dance usually combined with aesthetic elements, such as costumes and stage scenes. And according to researchers in Australia, a dance like ballet can be very

The Ballet for Seniors is a gentle dance class specially tailored for seniors and focuses in improving strength, memory, and mobility.

Within three months, from July 2017 to October 2017, the participants were able to gain two major benefits – strong motivation and positive well-being:

1. Strong motivation: Because of their age, the participants needed to determine certain factors that would want them to participate in ballet classes. The researchers found that participants who were a part of a group that shares similar interests were likely to be motivated to continue participation. Participants who also belonged to a group of the same age tend to feel emotionally comfortable in activities. Also, participants were likely to join a physical activity if it was tailored to them.

2. Positive well-being: Because participants were very interested in the ballet class, the constant physical activity led to better physical and mental outcomes. The researchers found that the participants had more energy, more fit, more aware of their posture, more flexible, and more satisfied. The participants were also happier when facing challenges in sequences and

- 4.5 average score for improved social well-being, while those who disagreed gave the score 4.13.

- 4.8 average score for improved physical wellbeing, while those who disagreed gave the score 4.5.

“We weren’t surprised by the research findings strongly indicating that ballet participation is considered to be a highly pleasurable activity for active older adults, we were pleasantly surprised by the flow on effects of that. It found that ballet participation may contribute to positive outcomes across various health and wellbeing categories and promotes a general feeling of well-being,” said Felicity Mandile, director of Strategy and Global Engagement at Queensland Ballet.

The ballet classes for seniors are still ongoing every week. In addition, Queensland also offers a specialized dance class for people with Parkinson's disease.

Overall Benefits of Dancing

For those who are planning to create a workout course with dancing at its core, there are many kinds of dance available. And any kind of dance, such as ballroom, modern or just plain dance at home, may be used for exercising. This is because any kind of dance can provide the following positive effects on the mind and