There's more to making exercise fun than just smiling while working out on the treadmill.
Studies show the keys to sticking with exercise is to make it interesting and enjoyable.
Russellville physician Dr. Miranda Decker tells her patients every day about the importance of activity in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. And that was a primary motivation for Decker to return to ballroom dance after more than two decades.
So Decker joined Dare 2 Dance, a professional ballroom dance studio in Florence. Ballroom dancing is more than just good exercise, she explained. It's about having fun, along with a social element as well.
When Decker relocated to Russellville many years ago, it was due, in part, to the presence of a ballroom dance studio owned and operated by Dr. Yves Morissette. The studio closed after Morissette's passing, and Decker never found another dance outlet, until she visited Dare 2 Dance last year.
“Being a doctor, I'm always telling my patients to be active,” Decker said. “Just like the movie Madagascar says, 'you've got to move it, move it' to enjoy a healthy quality of life. That's really true regardless of age—young, old or anywhere in between. So my intention was to get moving. Only a month or two later, I had trimmed an inch off my waistline. As you keep moving, your quality of life will improve.
“Dare 2 Dance is a good place with a fun, wholesome, safe environment to get exercise and meet people,” she added.
Dare 2 Dance has locations in Columbia, Tn., and Florence. Both locations will host a Christmas Show on Saturday, December 17, at 7 p.m., at Venue North in Lawrenceburg, Tn. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and advance tickets may be purchased by calling 256-349-5335.
The Christmas Showcase will feature a variety of dance types performed to Christmas songs.
“It's a great way to get people exposed to dance. You can only do what you know about and this is a way to learn about ballroom dance,” Decker said.
The Florence studio is located at 803 N. Patterson Street. There are classes from beginner to advanced, along with themed parties each Friday evening. Dare 2 Dance offers a free introductory package, with one 40-minute lesson, one group class and one party. The introductory package may be booked online at www.dare2danceflorence.com.
Dancing is much easier than it looks, and Dare 2 Dance instructors will tell you the hardest step to take is the first one through the front door.
Whether looking for a fun way to exercise, a unique date night or a safe way to meet new people, all you have to do is sign up for the free introductory package, and try it for yourself.
Just follow King Julian's lead in Madagascar, and 'move it, move it!'
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