| It is said that dancing is our bodies' way of concrete | | | | You may take advantage of dance halls that provide |
| expressions of our souls' abstract feelings. It is | | | | classes before business opens during the night. And |
| magical, transformative and expressive so much that | | | | when the dance masters have taken their places on |
| each one of us has a dancer waiting to break free. | | | | the floor, you can observe them, dance with them |
| Benefits of Dancing | | | | and just learn from them. And if you have the time |
| On a more physical level, research has proven that | | | | and the inclination, you may even join a local amateur |
| dancing provides for significant health benefits by | | | | dance troupe. You can then show off your dancing |
| virtue of the cardiovascular exercises required of the | | | | skills in the many present-day Irish dances. |
| activity. The body is better able to withstand the | | | | Age Doesn't Matter |
| onslaught of diseases, be it of the physical or the | | | | Don't worry about your age. Many dance studios, |
| psychological kinds. | | | | dance halls and dance troupes have members ranging |
| With that being said, it is high time that you consider | | | | in age from 6 to 66, so to speak, all of whom are |
| the benefits of Irish dancing. Don't worry about being | | | | enjoying the learning process. Well, for more mature |
| too old, too brittle and too set in your ways when | | | | persons, the opportunity to be young in mind and |
| choosing from among the many Irish dances. | | | | body again is a definite bonus. |
| You will soon realize, like many others have done | | | | Just remember to be safe at all times. This means |
| before, that Irish dances are fun to do, easy to learn | | | | doing your warm-ups before the actual dancing and |
| and are great opportunities to make new friends and | | | | your cool-downs after the dances, both of which will |
| strengthen old ones. And while you are at it, | | | | protect your muscles from injuries. Also, you must |
| strengthen your bones, muscles and mind, too. | | | | wear the proper footwear - soft shoes or hard |
| Venues to Visit | | | | shoes - along with the right clothes. |
| You can enroll in many dance studios that offer Irish | | | | Of course, do know the basic steps first before |
| dances as part of the curriculum. You need not | | | | trying your hand, er, foot on the more advanced |
| worry about rigid schedules as most will understand | | | | steps. This is especially true of the group dances as |
| that you are not taking classes to compete but to | | | | you do not want to endanger the limbs of your |
| learn something new about being Irish. However, if | | | | partners. |
| you do decide to become a competitor, you should | | | | Irish dancing is not just for spring chickens. No matter |
| enroll in classes held by a certified Irish dancing | | | | your age, you should try your hand at any of the |
| teacher. Keep in mind that you will be judged on | | | | Irish dances and benefit from the physical and mental |
| timing, execution and posture of the body and of the | | | | exercise. |
| steps, so formal classes are necessary. | | | | |