What are the benefits of ballroom dancing?

Where can I get lessons in Saginaw, Michigan?

Has "Dancing with the Stars" encouraged people to take up ballroom dancing?

Thank you very much!

Where do you start? You could get huge responses from posters, or not much, since there are so many benefits one could list.
But I'll try to make it short: Strength; balance; confidence; setting and achieving goals; respect of the opposite sex; highly enjoyable; and on and on ...
Dancing with Stars got more people involved in watching ballroom dancing. It may have sparked an initial surge in students at studios, but it seems that the weak economy of the past few years has taken away some of that luster.

There many benefits both physical and social. You'll be told what great exercise it is but only when you really start dancing.
At first, dancing is slow and difficult. But once you learn your basic steps and can move on the dance floor, it really gets fun and addicting. No beginner ever works up a sweat dancing a waltz but for those who can dance, the waltz makes us sweat like crazy. The slow controlled movements and maintaining the correct frame takes a great deal of effort. DWTS has introduced ballroom dancing to millions but it also made it seem easy. The show might get people into the studio but it doesn't keep them there. You can't learn to dance by taking one group lesson for six weeks. It takes time, practice and commitment.
I hope you find a studio. Stay away from the chain schools (Fred Astaire, Arthur Murray) because they are very expensive.

The accuracy of this statement depends entirely on the teaching method.

If the beginners are working with a poor instructor who spends most of the lesson time ONLY on step patterns then this observation is completely correct.

Beginners are most likely to encounter this brand of instruction at the chain schools. There are more reasons to avoid them than expense although that reason is certainly the most practical.

However, if the beginners are lucky enough to get an old school instructor who drills them in footwork, legwork, posture, and body control (CBM, etc.) along with the patterns then they'll work up a sweat much sooner.

The body works hardest when it's learning new and unfamiliar movements. Once mastery is gained and the body becomes more efficient, the one-time beginners will realize their benefits from being able to dance continuously for longer periods.

I personally don't think that DWTS has been good for ballroom.

Good luck finding a studio. I'd start on the 'net by checking out lists maintained by various organizations such as USA Dance, which used to be an amateur dance body.

jj

Thank you for that very much needed advice!!

Hi, there,
In addition to the lists of benefits mentioned by some of our most knowledgeable and respected posters in this site regarding the subject, I say: "dancing is absolutely one of the best exercises there is!" Reason: All parts of your body move and, because of that, you will sweat a lot, especially if you dance the cha cha, jive, mambo/salsa, samba and swing, just to name a few!
Another benefit is that your social life will definitely improve as you will be able to meet a lot of people from all walks of life, young and old alike!
Happy dncing!!!
Roslaw

Thanks everyone for your help! :)

Let's not forget the mental exercise given by dancing.
Our National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute claim dancing once a week can reduce the risk of dementia by about 7 percent, bump it up to 11 days a month makes that improvement 63 percent! - Now what was I saying? Oh yes, I think that improved posture and balance whilst walking will save many older people from crippling falls, especially when the inclement weather arrives and pavement surfaces become treacherous.

Ha, ha, ha,!!! TF you're absolutely right there!
Ballroom dancer seniors will love you for pointing that wonderful benefits! Mind you, they're the most prolific dancers! My wife and I attend dinner-dances year in and year out and we see those seniors glide the dance floor unbelievably graceful compared to those dancers 20 or even 30 years their junior!!!

What are the benifits of Ballroom Dancing. For a start it gets people off the couch. It excercises the brain and the memory .Also if you have been involved with Yoga you probably are aware that in one move where the body is twisted to the side that the blood flow is resisted and then allowed to flow actually stimulates that area of the body. Which is what we do continuously when dancing especially in Latin. And off course if done correctly the bending of the knees in the Standard Style.