Portsmouth Department of Rheumatology dancing class

Fourteen patients and their partners and staff from the Department of Rheumatology are about to complete their 6-week ballroom class. Over the weeks they will have taken an additional 12,000 steps and exercised for around extra 5.5 hours.

Claire Jeffries, Rheumatology Specialist, Physiotherapist and Hydrotherapy Manager, points out that there are many health benefits of dancing: “it’s great for people of all ages, shapes and sizes”.

Dancing offers a wide range of physical and mental benefits:

  • improved condition of your heart and lungs
  • increased muscular tone, strength, endurance and motor fitness
  • increased aerobic fitness
  • weight management
  • stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis
  • better coordination, balance, agility and flexibility
  • increased physical confidence
  • improved mental functioning and psychological wellbeing
  • greater self-confidence and self-esteem

The Department of Rheumatology would encourage people living with Arthritis and connective tissue diseases to consider dance as a form of activity. To get started simply choose a style you enjoy, or would like to try, look for dance schools in your local area and join a class.

Colin Beevor, Matron, said: “There are many forms of dance, from ballroom to barn dancing and disco to Morris dancing. Ballroom dancing has been great for our dancing patient group; it’s been such an enjoyable way to be more physically active and help with overall fitness for people living with arthritis. We are so grateful for the support from P. Peskett from the PP Dancing Club; she had made it fun to get more active!”

See a photo of the PortsHosp ballroom dance group.

Remember: you can dance in a group, with a partner, or on your own. There are lots of different places where you can enjoy dancing, for example, at dance schools, social venues, community halls and in your own home. Dancing has become such a popular way to be active and keep fit that most fitness clubs now offer dance classes in their group exercise programs.

Join us for our fundraising tea dance on Saturday 9th December 2017 at St Colman’s Church hall, Cosham from 3:00-5:00pm.
Tickets are available at £5 from margaret.fletcher@porthosp.nhs.uk.

Our next dance class will be Scottish Dancing. Join us for classes starting on Wednesday 14th February 2018 for 6 weeks at the Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham. Anyone who has ever been to Scottish country dancing knows just how much fun a Dashing White Sergeant can be. It is likely, too, that anyone who has attempted the Gay Gordons or Strip-the-willow also knows the physical effort needed for a full night of traditional Scottish dancing.