| Many years ago, (about twenty, I suppose) I recall | | | | to "traditional excercise", but they also have |
| watching a television show on PBS that focused on | | | | interviewed several people who have benefited in a |
| the health and agility of male ballet dancers. I have to | | | | big way.According to exercise physiologist Cedric |
| be honest, I'm not a big fan of ballet and I know very | | | | Bryant, dance as a form of exercise is a trend that |
| little about it, but I do recall one aspect of the program | | | | has gained a great deal of momentum. Mr. Bryant, also |
| that made a big impression.The producer of the show | | | | a vice president with the American Council on |
| took a few of these men to a local gymnasium and | | | | Exercise, explains that people are looking for a "more |
| had them play basketball. It was incredible to watch | | | | engaging alternative to the traditional workout."Bryant |
| these men -- who were less than six feet tall -- | | | | points out that dancing provides a workout for the |
| gracefully floating through the air, slam-dunking the ball | | | | whole body, is low impact and easy on the joints. Add |
| into the hoop without the appearance of effort.It's ironic | | | | to that the music of your choice and your favorite |
| that the average Neanderthal would view these | | | | partner, and you're really starting to move. Jerry Nash, |
| experts of their craft as weak -- even frail -- when | | | | age 46, was carrying 260 pounds on his 6' 1" |
| the exact opposite is so clearly true. The study of | | | | frame.The stress of the weight precluded jogging, |
| ballet (and practice of it, too, of course) helps a person | | | | because of his knees. So Mr. Nash signed up for a |
| to maximize their strength and flexibility. So much so | | | | conditioning and stretching class at "Dance 101" in |
| that these athletes gain abilities that rival professional | | | | Atlanta, Georgia. He moved on to several different |
| athletes in distinctly different arenas.That may not | | | | styles of dance classes and one year later has lost an |
| sound so incredible, but think about the flip-side... Imagine | | | | incredible 55 pounds. As an added benefit, a recent |
| your proto-typical power forward from basketball, | | | | check of his blood pressure came in at a healthy 110 |
| linebacker from American football, or soccer goalie | | | | over 60.Dance is a great weapon to keep in your |
| donning a pair of tights and attempting to emulate a | | | | arsenal as you wage war on unwanted fat. You can |
| ballet dancer. Quite an image, huh?Now I'm not | | | | dance in the privacy of your own home at any time, |
| suggesting that each one of us fighting the Battle of | | | | day or night. The ability to be flexible with scheduling is |
| the Bulge should take up ballet, I'm certainly not going to | | | | very important as we try to establish a new |
| do so, myself, however, dance -- as an exercise -- | | | | habit.Another benefit is that you can partner up with |
| has hit the press of late, and in a big recently reported | | | | someone whose company you enjoy. Exercising with |
| a story (from Associated Press) that not only | | | | someone adds a degree of accountability that helps |
| suggests that people consider dance as an alternative | | | | any regimen to be a success. |