Do you like to dance? You are quite right! Why ? 
Because you do a lot of good while dancing! And not just the legs! 
Indeed, dancing is more than just a nice activity to share with friends or your partner. 
**It also has the amazing ability to improve the functioning of the brain.**
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*credit photo : siavach*

Don't believe me? So here are the 5 incredible things that happen in your brain when you practice dancing regularly :

# 1. Dance improves neuroplasticity

A study conducted by the [Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City](http://socialdance.stanford.edu/syllabi/smarter.htm), was conducted for 21 years and focused on people aged 75 and over. The researchers measured the mental acuity of the subjects, during this period of aging, by monitoring dementia rates. The objective of the study was to determine whether physical or cognitive recreational activities had an effect on mental acuity. The study found that some cognitive activities influence mental acuity but that no physical activity had any effect on it. The only exception was the practice of dance. Here are the results of the study according to the activity: 
- Reading: 35% less risk of dementia 
- Bicycle and swimming: 0% less risk of dementia
- Make crosswords at least four days a week: 47% Less risk of dementia 
- Playing golf: 0% risk reduction in less dementia 
- **Dancing frequently**: 76% less risk of dementia 

Regular dancers have greater cognitive abilities and increased synaptic complexity Neurons, "explained neurologist [Dr. Robert Katzman](http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/archive/newsrel/health/09-08Katzman.asp). Dance thus reduces the risk of dementia by improving neuronal capacity. It helps the brain to continually reconnect its neural pathways. As a result, dance improves brain neuroplasticity.
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*credit photo : siavach*

# 2. Dancing makes you smarter

What is meant by intelligence? If our response to a given situation is automatic (the stimulus-response relation is automatic), then it is said to be a proof of intelligence. 
When the brain evaluates various possibilities of reasonable responses and deliberately chooses a response, this process is considered intelligence. [Jean Piaget](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Piaget) said that intelligence is what we use when we are faced with a problem and we do not know how to solve it. To simplify, the essence of intelligence is knowing how to make decisions. To improve your mental acuity, it's best to get involved in an activity that requires quick decision making, in a fraction of a second. 
**Dancing is an example of activity that requires quick decision-making**. It requires instant answers to questions such as "What not to do" or "When should I turn"? "" How fast do I have to move? "Or" How do I react to my partner's movements? "
Dance is therefore a great way to maintain and improve your intelligence.
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*credit photo : siavach*

# 3. Dance improves your muscular memory

[According to this study](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249997252_The_Cognitive_Benefits_of_Movement_Reduction_Evidence_From_Dance_Marking), which analyzed the benefits of dancing on the brain, dancers are able to perform complex movements more easily when they experience the process of "marking". What is the process of "marking"? It is simply the fact of making movements slowly by recording them during rehearsals. Researcher Edward Warburton, a former professional ballet dancer, and his colleagues examined what we think about when we practice dancing. 
They published their findings in the journal *Psychological Science*. They found that marking reduces the conflict between the cognitive and physical aspects of dance. This gives the dancers a chance to memorize and repeat the movements with greater fluidity, almost mechanically. 
It was concluded that visualization of movements and marking can help improve muscle memory. 
This type of visualization and marking, learned through dance, can also be used in many areas of everyday life and thus improve performance.
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*credit photo : siavach*

# 4. Dance slows aging and stimulates memory

Dr. Katzman thinks that the more complex our neural synapses, the better. He also thinks that we should do whatever we can to create new synapses on a daily basis. And of course, dancing is a great way to do it! As you age, the brain cells die and the synapses become weaker. For example, people's names are more difficult to remember. Normal, because there is only one neural path that leads us to this information stored in the brain. 
But if you learn new things, like doing dancing, you will work on building new mental paths. So if a mental path is lost because of old age, you will have another one recently created, which will take over and that will allow you to access the information and memories in your memory.
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*credit photo : siavach*

# 5. Dancing helps to prevent dizziness

Have you ever wondered why ballet dancers are never stunned when they are full of pirouettes? Research suggests that through years of training, dancers develop the ability to suppress signals from the organs of balance in the inner ear. 
[Dr. Barry Seemungal](http://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/b.seemungal) explains this phenomenon by the fact that it is not "useful" for dancers to feel dizziness or lack of balance. It is the reverse. As a result, over the years, the brain of the dancers adapts and suppresses this sensation which is of no use to them. Therefore, the signal in the brain responsible for dizziness is minimized, allowing the dancers to be resistant to the feeling of dizziness. If you suffer from dizziness, it is useful to regularly practice any form of dance to alleviate this concern. 
Dancing helps to improve this function in your cerebellum, which in turn will help you improve your balance and make you less subject to vertigo. Do not worry, no need to be a good dancer to enjoy the benefits of this sport. The simple fact of dancing, whatever your level, will be beneficial!
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*credit photo : siavach*

# Result 

You will have understood, dancing is a great way to maintain and improve the many functions of our brain. Indeed, dance increases our neuronal connectivity because it stimulates several functions of the brain at the same time: rational, musical, kinesthetic and emotional functions. This improvement in neuronal connectivity is very important for our brain especially when it gets older. Now you know what you have to do! Dance more often and more regularly :-)
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*credit photo : siavach