Dance. Verb. ˈdan(t)s: to move one’s feet or body, or both, rhythmically in a pattern of steps, especially to the accompaniment of music.
Behind the walls, after the lights go out and between patients; dancing takes on a whole different definition at Cardiogenix Medical Center. You can always catch a member of the Cardiogenix team ever so discretely bopping there head, tapping their feet or just swaying in their chair. Even the smallest form of expression can help relax the mind and make it easier to go about your day. What you may not see is how much we love to dance behind the scenes. When music is on and someone is cleaning the floor, you better bet that they are getting their hips into it.
Dancing is such a great way of leading a healthy lifestyle without even realizing it because you are having too much fun. Dancing most of the time, happens in groups, where we all enjoy ourselves and have interactions, these interactions make our day brighter and the fact that we are sharing moments with other people and building relationships help us lead a happier life. This fun exercise can help our lifestyle in ways we don’t even realize! The Cardiogenix team has it in their blood, when music is not available, singing happens and dancing always takes place. A part of the team went as far as to joining a Zumba class and inviting the whole team to some sessions. Have you ever been to a Zumba class? Let us tell you how fun and entertaining these are! Sure you look goofy, but everyone does and everyone loves it.
It all started with one of our team members, who was in the middle of organizing a fund raiser. Zumba for charity was the theme and it immediately caught our attention. When she mentioned this event to our team… we all jumped at the idea, of course some of us had reservations… mainly because of our coordination skills, but help was needed and there we all were dancing! Looking ridiculous but having a blast making a difference in another part of our world and within ourselves. Now, what is it that a Zumba dancer’s needs?! Well we learned that we needed A LOT of coordination, mainly because you have to move your arms/hands at the same time as your feet/legs!! Can you imagine that? Coordination helps us a lot in our daily lives and as we grow into old age, we can prevent plenty of falls and harmful situations… so there we were, exercising our coordination and flexibility! A Zumba dancer also needs to exercise their memory, imagine having to step to the left, then to the right and then to the left again… all in moving your hips to the rhythm of the music! Now this can get tricky, but just trying to remember the steps helps improve memory function. As good as our teacher was, we couldn’t help ourselves but to stand motionless and lost, having rethink what steps were next.
Dancing is really a part of Cardiogenix, because it puts a fun spin on being healthy and living longer.
So how exactly do the members of the Cardiogenix team dance, here is on example of “Office Dancing”
“The Waltz of the Charts”
This dance is usually backed by a funky song and takes place during a filing session. While a chart is being filed back on the shelf, the performer’s legs start to walk to the rhythm, the head starts bobbing while looking to place the chart in order. Finally an electric slide to the open place and file.
While we are dancing we are enjoying a wide breadth of physical and mental benefits that include
-
Improved condition of your heart and lungs
Your heart is a muscle. Like your other muscles, when it’s in shape, it will be able to work better so you’ll have more energy, Literally allow your heart to move to the rhythm of the music. We often do not pay attention to our lung strength until it becomes weak. However, like the rest of our body, our lungs need daily care and attention. When you’re dancing, you’re exercising that organ and you will hardly notice.
-
Increased muscular strength, endurance and motor fitness
This component allows you to be in better control of your body, and live a more functional life into older age.
-
Better coordination, agility and flexibility
Performing challenging balance exercises such as dancing can improve balance and coordination, which helps prevent falls, and this in turn may prevent fractures and other harmful consequences. Zumba encompasses both agility and flexibility, we learnt the hard way we needed to work on those components.
-
Improved mental functioning
A small break during a meeting could give you some time to practice your dance skills. While practicing a dancing choreography, you’re improving your mental function.
Memory is one of the most fragile gifts we have. While getting older, learning new things becomes difficult, details slip, things are forgotten and eventually lose the ability to function. Dancing may delay all of these unfortunate realities. -
Greater self-confidence and self-esteem
Improving your esteem is directly linked to having a positive outlook, and having a positive outlook is linked to living a longer and more fulfilling life. When someone in a team shows you how to dance a specific dance, let’s take the “Nae Nae Dance” for example. When you get the choreography right, you feel good and get a sense of accomplishment. Why not pull those moves out at your next party.
-
Better social skills.
Building more connections and relationships may also help you lead a better life. Zumba and other dance classes is a great way to make new friends.
Our “dancing skills” came in handy for us on September 12th 2015, the wedding date of one of our own. As soon as the dinner was over and the music was turned up, we were ready to go. It is healthy to be goofy once in a while and just have a good time dancing with great friends. Try something new every day and life will be more rewarding than ever.