Dancing has always been a pastime that Australians of all ages have enjoyed. Recently a study conducted by the German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases believes that dancing could be used as a form of Dementia therapy.
During the study, half of the participants, with an average age of 68, were asked to participate in weekly dance lessons, the other half endurance training.
The research concluded that while both had a positive impact in the brain, the people in the dance group had a significant positive impact in relation to treating age-related brain decline.
“Exercise has the beneficial effect of slowing down or even counteracting age-related decline in mental and physical capacity,” said lead author of the study, Dr Kathrin Rehfeld.
Graham Aylen from the Canowindra Old Time Dance Group said the group provides much more than just exercise.
“Exercise is a good part of it, but it also improves memory, mental challenges, working with other people and social aspects as well.”
It’s not about how good you are as a dancer, it’s how it makes you feel. Anyone can give it a go, even you don’t want to dance, come along and enjoy the live band,” said Graham.
Graham also finds helping others master dance very rewarding.“When you watch someone finally master a dance, their faces are filled with happiness and light.”
The dance group meet at the Canowindra Services Club on Tuesday’s from 1pm- 3pm for lessons which are $5 a session and Sunday’s from 2pm to 6pm, $10.