Here are some of the major benefits of ballroom dancing. It is fun, it is a great way to             socialize, it is a good form of physical exercise, and it is good for exercising your brain

      (trying to remember the dance patterns and recalling them as needed).  A few years back,   

      a Mayo Clinic Letter listed the following health benefits of dancing:

      Calories - Dancing can burn as many calories as walking, swimming or riding a bicycle.

                      Cardiovascular conditioning - Regular exercise can lead to a slower heart rate,                             lower blood pressure and an improved cholesterol profile.

                      Dancing may not provide all the conditioning you need, but it can help.

                      The degree of cardiovascular conditioning depends on how vigorously you dance,                         how long you dance continuously and how regularly you do it.

      Strong bones - The movements of many dances strengthen your weight bearing                                         bones (tibia, fibula and femur) and can help prevent or slow loss of bone mass                             (osteoporosis).

      Rehabilitation - If you're recovering from heart or knee surgery, movement may be part of                        your rehabilitation. Dancing is a positive alternative to aerobic dance or jogging.

      Sociability - Dancing contains a social component that solitary fitness endeavors don't. It                            gives you an opportunity to develop strong social ties which contribute to

                     self-esteem and a positive outlook. Health benefits and risks to dancing depend on                        how much oomph you put into it. Different types of dance require varying amount                        of energy. If you have heart disease or other medical concerns, check with your                            doctor before taking up dance as a new activity. Then follow these steps:

                     Warm up - Before starting to dance, spend a few minutes stretching. Practice a few                      dance steps to prepare your muscles for activity.

                     Ease into the pace - Begin with slower, less demanding rhythms and build up to                            faster tempos. Easing into activities lessens the chance of pulling or straining a                            muscle.

                     Know your limits - Take breaks from dancing if you feel undue fatigue or shortness                        of breath. If necessary, sit out the next number.