| Many years ago, (about twenty, I suppose) I | | | | "traditional excercise", but they also have |
| recall watching a television show on PBS that | | | | interviewed several people who have benefited |
| focused on the health and agility of male | | | | in a big way.According to exercise |
| ballet dancers. I have to be honest, I'm not | | | | physiologist Cedric Bryant, dance as a form |
| a big fan of ballet and I know very little | | | | of exercise is a trend that has gained a |
| about it, but I do recall one aspect of the | | | | great deal of momentum. Mr. Bryant, also a |
| program that made a big impression.The | | | | vice president with the American Council on |
| producer of the show took a few of these men | | | | Exercise, explains that people are looking |
| to a local gymnasium and had them play | | | | for a "more engaging alternative to the |
| basketball. It was incredible to watch these | | | | traditional workout."Bryant points out that |
| men -- who were less than six feet tall -- | | | | dancing provides a workout for the whole |
| gracefully floating through the air, | | | | body, is low impact and easy on the joints. |
| slam-dunking the ball into the hoop without | | | | Add to that the music of your choice and your |
| the appearance of effort.It's ironic that the | | | | favorite partner, and you're really starting |
| average Neanderthal would view these experts | | | | to move. Jerry Nash, age 46, was carrying 260 |
| of their craft as weak -- even frail -- when | | | | pounds on his 6' 1" frame.The stress of the |
| the exact opposite is so clearly true. The | | | | weight precluded jogging, because of his |
| study of ballet (and practice of it, too, of | | | | knees. So Mr. Nash signed up for a |
| course) helps a person to maximize their | | | | conditioning and stretching class at "Dance |
| strength and flexibility. So much so that | | | | 101" in Atlanta, Georgia. He moved on to |
| these athletes gain abilities that rival | | | | several different styles of dance classes and |
| professional athletes in distinctly different | | | | one year later has lost an incredible 55 |
| arenas.That may not sound so incredible, but | | | | pounds. As an added benefit, a recent check |
| think about the flip-side... Imagine your | | | | of his blood pressure came in at a healthy |
| proto-typical power forward from basketball, | | | | 110 over 60.Dance is a great weapon to keep |
| linebacker from American football, or soccer | | | | in your arsenal as you wage war on unwanted |
| goalie donning a pair of tights and | | | | fat. You can dance in the privacy of your own |
| attempting to emulate a ballet dancer. Quite | | | | home at any time, day or night. The ability |
| an image, huh?Now I'm not suggesting that | | | | to be flexible with scheduling is very |
| each one of us fighting the Battle of the | | | | important as we try to establish a new |
| Bulge should take up ballet, I'm certainly | | | | habit.Another benefit is that you can partner |
| not going to do so, myself, however, dance -- | | | | up with someone whose company you enjoy. |
| as an exercise -- has hit the press of late, | | | | Exercising with someone adds a degree of |
| and in a big recently reported a story (from | | | | accountability that helps any regimen to be a |
| Associated Press) that not only suggests that | | | | success. |
| people consider dance as an alternative to | | | | |