mproveme.nt in lipid metabolism when dancing (Maivar, 2006).

Moreover, dance movements are

ultidirectional, which means they enable joint mobility specifically hip motion and spine flexibility
5 opposed to treadmills or elliptical machines (Keller, 2007; Childs, 2007). it is also a weight-bearing
ctivity that helps improve and maintain bone density as well as prevent osteoporosis (Keller, 2007).
Dance is renowned for its contribution to therapy. Dance therapy has been used in the different
edical fields throughout history. It aids in recovering coordination and other neuromuscular skills
fter an injury (Dance Your Way to Fitness, 2007; Chowder, 2013)

ental/Emotional

Ravelin et al
(2006, p. 312) also suggested that dance can be used as intervention in mental ealth nursing. They
revealed that dance can offer "an acceptable way to release emotional and hysical pressure." Since
majority of the problems of mental health nurses is in dealing with their atients, it was suggested
that dance may be applied as it is useful in facilitating "non-verbal ommunication by offering a
clear structure for being together."
Dancing also gives other psychological health benefits as compared to other forms of exercise. A
study published in the journal "Neurobiology of Aging"adds to evidence that exercise can help keep
the brain sharp (Keller, 2007; Childs, 2007; Ravelin et al., 2006). Vorghese et al (2003) greatly support
the mental benefits of dancing in their study, concluding that dancing was the only regular physical
activity associated with a significant decrease in the incidence of dementia, including Alzheimer's
disease. Gondoh et al (2009) also studied the effects of aerobic exercise on brain structure and
psychological well-being. Their findings suggest that insula gray-matter volume (region involved in
muitimodal sensory integration and plays a great rote in the generation of affective states in response
to emotional stimulation) may possibly be maintained by aerobic exercise (Gondoh et al., 2009). The
researchers found in this study that "[this] decreased the depressive symptoms and increased the
identity of the training group compared with the control group" (Gondoh et A, 2009).

It was assumed that there is a correlation between aerobic exercise and body image. Ravelin
et al. (2006) attributed dance as a medium for developing one's body image. Therefore, dancing is a
great way to improve one's body image.

Social
Dance provides a unique opportunity for meaningful group involvement as it encourages
intense, positive social interaction and interpersonal relationships in a working group. They believe
that "it contributes to each individual's potential for the fullest possible self actualization in society'
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(Kraus and Gaufman, 1981). Also, dance gives a sense of togetherness in a group. For recent years,
varieties of dance-basedgroup fitness formats have been formulated and have been in demand.
One of the reasons why there has been a tremendous growth of dance based fitness regimens is
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the increasing need for self-expression and social interactions amongst men and women in the new

millennium (Childs, 2007).

Cultural
Dance promotes a place or a country's rich culture through showcasing the different cultural
dances. Thepeople around the world are brought to "a closer understanding of the lives of the
people represented and to an appreciation of their respective folk cultures" through the folk dances
of a specific country (Duggan, Schlottmann, Rutledge, 1948). It is through looking at the different
dances of other countries will one see the value of one's culture.