Reasons_To_Irish

1. You are more likely to have a longer life
Well not just because you are Irish Dancing but because you are exercising. In an 8 year study of more than 20,000 men (why not women?), those who were lean but unfit had twice the risk of death as lean, fit men. EVEN Fat men who were fit had a lower death rate than those who were lean and unfit.

2. You are less likely to catch a cold
Moderate exercise improves your immune system. People who exercise regularly report cold symptoms on fewer than half the days that couch potatoes report cold symptoms.

3. You will improve your Memory
Yes - well that is proven when after you have been dancing for a few years, you actually remember the steps to several reels, slip jigs, hardshoes jigs, hornpipes and a vast array of team and figure dances. But apart from that In a six month study of previously sedentary men and women ages 60 to 75, those who walked three times a week scored 25 percent better on memory and judgement tasks, such a recalling schedules and quickly differentiating between vowels and consonants and odd an even numbers. I realise this has nothing to do with dancing but goes to show you that you are not only exercising your body but also your mind!!!

4. You will relieve stress or you are less likely to experience stress
Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and make you less tense and it helps you cope with events that otherwise have you in a 'tither'. A good workout in your Irish Dancing classes will relax you totally and help make you forget those niggles in your day.

5.You will have more energy
Yes that sounds weird doesn't it? But the more you exercise the more energy you will have. Going to classes and learning new dances is so motivating and you will find that you will be practising your new steps through out your every day life! People who complain that they don't have enough energy to exercise fail to realise that exercising gives you the energy. In one study, middle aged women who lifted weights for a year became 27% more active in their daily life than before. You will start the day by throwing back the covers and greeting it with a grin - well hopefully!

6. You are likely to lose fat
Sure you can lose weight by simply dieting, but that does not tone your muscles and nor does it make you any fitter. By combining a good healthy diet with exercise - meaning your Irish Dancing classes - you will achieve your goal at a much quicker pace. The most wonderful thing about taking Irish Dancing classes is that whilst you are exercising you are also learning a wonderful form of dance and barely notice the fact that you are burning up those kilojoules or pounds and ounces.

7. You are likely to keep the weight off
Most people who lose weight through dieting alone generally gain the weight back again, even gradually within 1 to 3 years. That is because they don't exercise. By taking Irish Dancing classes and practising regularly you are more likely to keep this weight off.

8. You can eat more without gaining weight
Wooo Hoooo! That sounds grand indeed. When you burn those extra kilojoules or pounds and ounces in your Irish Dancing classes, it gives you a little more flexibility to have that 'special snack' that you might allow yourself every now and then! A reward for the hard work that you have done during your class!

9.You are more likely to visit a nudist beach
Ummmm not sure about that one. Okay maybe not...But you will have more confidence in your body and how it looks. Irish Dancing certainly exercises your legs and helps in firming things up for you.

10. You will strengthen your bones
Both men and women start loosing bone mass between 30 years and 40 years. Exercise helps keep your bones strong and drastically reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

11. You can satisfy your competitive urges
Well there is nothing like competing in a Feisanna to satisfy those competitive urges. There are regular Feisanna all over the world which will certainly suit your needs and will be a healthy outlet for your competitive spirit.

12. You will discover abilities you never knew you had
Maybe you are a Jean Butler, Colin Dunne or a Bernadette Flynn just bursting to break out and be discovered. Or maybe you have great elevation, a lovely point, great dancing posture or a lovely natural rhythm for Irish Dancing. You just never know until you try.

13. You will expand your social horizons
You will meet people of all ages with the same interest as you Irish Dancing. It can be so much fun you will make new friends and possibly have the opportunity to organise or attend social events for after class adult time!

14. You will learn a lot about your body
Parts of your body will ache that you never knew existed before, but you will become well acquainted with these parts and in time you will find that as you become fitter those aches and pains will gradually subside.

15. You will learn the art of teamwork
Nothing looks more stunning than a beautiful, tightly precisioned team of dancers performing a 4 or 8 hand reel or jig , or The 3 Tunes or the many other team and figure dances that you can do. Dancing and competing in teams is so much fun, there is less pressure than competing solo on stage, but more pressure as you do not want to let the team down. Its a great way to bond with your fellow dancers.

16. You gain confidence that spills over to the rest of your life
The sense of accomplishment that Irish Dancing gives you helps boost your confidence and assists you in tackling things that would normally intimidate you - in your life. If you can get up on stage and dance your personal best at a Feisanna in front of an audience, you can do anything. Even just reaching your goals in class can give you a wonderful sense of achievement, which will reflect in all things that you do.

17. You set a good example for your kids
If they are not already Irish Dancing they may just join you. Plus they may also practise more if they see you skipping and tapping around the house, trying to remember your steps or practising that new dance you have learned.

18. You can keep up with the grandkids
Hey there is no age limit to Irish dancing. Regular dancing workouts can give you the strength and the stamina to keep up with the best of them.

19. You will become more creative
Yes your creativity will be enhanced with the thousands of ways you can sneak a reel or a jig step into everything that you do through out your day. Like rising up on point whilst washing the dishes, skipping whilst vacuuming, turning your feet out and stretching your hips whilst waiting for the bus or train. I do this one all the time! But apart from that: In one study subjects who did aerobic exercise scored higher on creative thinking tests than did subjects who watched a video. That's not surprising: Many people come up with their best ideas on the run.

20. You are more likely to stop smoking
People who exercise vigorously whilst trying to kick the habit are twice as likely to stay away from cigarettes as wanna-be ex-smokers who don't exercise. Those who exercise that do manage to kick the habit, gain only about half the weight than non-exercisers do.

21. You will become more productive
Can't get all your errands or chores done in one day because you need to take a break? Well after a few weeks learning Irish Dancing you will have all the strength and stamina that you will need and none of this will be a worry. There will even be time for a cuppa at the end of it all!

22. You are less likely to watch junk TV
When Irish Dancing becomes part of your life, you are less likely to sit down with the remote and flip through the channels for something to interest you. You will find yourself practising your steps at all hours of the day.

23. You have an excuse to go shopping
You can buy endless numbers of Irish Dancing accessories, clothes, books, shoes and items without feeling guilty. Its all necessary stuff (?) Well not really, but its a great excuse!

24. You can WOW'EM at your high school reunion
Were you a nerd at school that everyone ignored? Well show them your new dances, WOW them with your fancy footwork, display your new fitness and have them feeling jealous of your new slimmer body. The ideas are limitless

25. You won't have to count sheep
If your classes are in the evening, after an extensive workout there will be no counting sheep, you will drop off into a peaceful slumber the moment your head hits the pillow. After a 12 weeks aerobic and strength-training regimen, research subjects reported falling asleep faster and sleeping longer than before theyd started exercising, probably because of hormonal changes.

26. You will have a healthy outlet for your anger
Instead of yelling at your boss, put on those hardshoes and dance your jig or hornpipe 5 times in a row. This will certainly diffuse all that angry energy. It will also burn kilojoules, pounds and ounces as well as improve your health at the same time!

27. You will look younger
Well do Olivia Newton John or Michael Flatley look their age? Me thinks not!

28. Your posture will improve
As we know with Irish Dancing your arms are to be held neatly and firmly by your side whilst dancing and your back is to straight and upright. This will reflect in your normal everyday life and make you aware of when you are slouching.

29. You get to learn a whole new language
Yes you will starting chatting about trebles, shuffles, cut-ups, flaps and beats, twists, rocks, sevens, rising steps and much more. You will bamboozle those who are not in the know!

30. You will improve your balance
In just weeks you will notice that you are surer in your walking steps and more agile. Even in classes as you become more confident with your dances and the steps your balance will improve greatly. This will have a wonderful long term affect as with improved balance you will have a zippier walking gait as you age and less shuffling of steps as you walk means fewer falls and fractures.

31. You will get an instant mood boost
A truckload of research shows that you have a better sense of wellbeing, also known as a Dancers High, following a good workout in a dance class. You release endorphins into your bloodstream, which are the feel-good hormones and they keep the smile on your dial.

32. You will happier over long term
Not only does a single workout at a dance class make you feel better but exercisers enjoy long-lasting psychological benefits. You will feel happier within yourself and suddenly the little things no longer drive you wild.

33. You will enjoy the cold more
Well imagine that? Yep instead of sitting around the house and moping that there is nothing to do or that you are cold, you can get up off your butt and dance or practise your steps. You will soon work up a sweat! In fact, you will also learn quite quickly that dancing lessons are so much easier to cope with when it is cold. The heat can zap your energy but on a colder days, it may take longer to warm up those muscles, but dancing classes are a lot easier as you do not overheat as much.

34. You will lower your resting heart rate
When you exercise on a regular basis, your heart beats fewer times per minute to pump the same amount of blood, saving wear and tear on your cardiovascular system.

35. You will enjoy life more
Enough said. Now get moving start those classes today