I’m not sure choking down leafy greens is the best metaphor for dance, but the article Is Dancing the Kale of Exercise? (NYT, 30-Apr-2019) made me laugh and brought up some sweet memories of Frankie Manning and Norma Miller, two beloved superheros of the swing dance community. The article discussed how good dance is for our brain and body health and stated how dance is exemplary in helping improve balance, particularly as we age.
It also quotes Richard Powers, dance historian and teacher at Stanford University, who said: “Dancing increases cognitive acuity at all ages. It integrates several brain functions at once — kinesthetic, rational, musical and emotional — further increasing your neural connectivity.” Richard believes dancing increases our capacity to deal with and adapt to stress and change, so vital in our current times. FYI, Richard will be in Seattle October 10-12 for a Cross-step Waltz Weekend.
I’m thinking it’s a lucky thing I started dancing when I did, some 27 years ago, or who knows what shape I’d be in now.
See you on the dance floor. —Sean Donovan
| Image above: A still from Hellzapoppin’ (1941) which included dancers Norma Miller and Frankie Manning, Frankie Manning Foundation |