When was the last time you and your honey danced? I must admit, I’ve been the stick-in-the-mud when it comes to me and my wife. She always asks me to take her out dancing, but I decline and really, I feel bad about it. 

I’ve always been shy or reluctant to get out on the dance floor. This dates back to my teen years when dancing was absolutely necessary to win over that cutie you had your eyes on. But I always found other ways to entice the ladies; wit and charm worked for me. I wasn’t a bad dancer, but I was no James Brown and I surely wouldn’t have won a Soul Train dance contest either!

I got and still get as much enjoyment out of watching others dance as I do when I get to steppin’. We recently attended a Steppin’ with the Stars event. It was a fundraiser to fight cancer. There were twenty guys who were paired with “professional” dancers, ladies who had provided instruction for the men over several weeks to prepare the men for the competition. 

These brothers were smooth. Some I hadn’t expected to be. The age range of the participants was wide – there may have been a twenty-something, several in their 30’s or 40’s; a couple in their 50’s and then there was a seventy-something year old who almost won it. I was impressed. 

As I watched I realized that dancing is work – or at least a workout. I don’t know if I ever thought of dancing that way before. But it takes stamina to dance – I mean really dance – the way some people get after it. 

“Dancing is terrific exercise,” says Stanford University’s Laura L. Cartstenen, in an AARP article. “It’s fun and something most people can easily do.” 

The article goes on to cite a number of benefits of dancing: 

• boosts cardio
• strengthens bones
• works all the major muscle groups
• builds stamina
• improves balance, coordination and flexibility

Most of these benefits are easily understood, but there are a couple of other, less tangible benefits of dancing. They are realizing that you have the ability to learn new things, (some of those steps can be complicated), which is great exercise for the brain and, raising your socialization skills. Not only can dancing enhance your relationship with your dance partner, it also increases your number of “friends” – people you meet on the dance floor – widening your social sphere. What better way to socialize!

I have come to the realization that I’ve been missing out on a wonderful form of exercise and that I should no longer rebuff my wife’s advances to dance any longer. We’re not getting any younger. She is a great partner in many ways and I’ve truly been missing out on one more exciting way to share with her.

So honey, get ready, we’re going Salsa dancing real soon!