n ^ ^®ading time. 
1x25 Buchanan St., N.W. , Vfeshington 11, D.C. Sept. 8, 1954. 
DANCING 
as a Rehabil itation Activity. 
... : y y.;.;v:y.v. 
« • • • •/* . • • • .*••.»% •'*'*%^* rf;*^*’*^* 
I feel that daily big muscle activity 
to vigorously stimulate one's circulation 
is an important factor in maintaining the body in the highest state of 
vigor and well-being. 
My experience with ballroom and other dancing in the past three years 
has been an eye opener to me, 
and greatly impressed me with the broad values of dancing in rehabilitation. 
lifhen age 65 forced retirement as a teacher of physical medicine 
I began to be conscious of the forces that gradklly put one out of circulation. 
Ketirement wa*.h many elderly people is the begivaiing of the end 
for one rusts out much faster than he v/ears out. 
In dancing I have found a fine correctior^of this tendency. 
In iihe past three years, the span of my ballroom dancing training, 
uhree^ lessons three times a week at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio, 
my wiie and I have had more pleasurable social life thm ever before. 
At ages 72 1/2 and 73 l/2 we are physically fit, in excellent health, 
^ carry on in our profession, vrhich needs serial contacts for maintenance, 
and at the same time bring to others v:ho have missed its values 
the physical and social benefits of ballroom and pther dancing. 
The new dancing tricks as I learn them I take home and practice with my wife, 
so that with a relativelj?* few lessons at the studio on her part 
she has been able to keep up with me. 
The new skills acquired in ballroom dancing, 
the sense that one is not too old to learn even these physical skills, 
does something favorable to one's ego at a time when, it needs a boost. 
At the Arthur Murray Dance Studio parties 
I have danced with many elderly partners who also have discovered dancing's values. 
Dancing partners there have from tijne to time been those crippled from 
accidents or polio, and both the blind and deaf. 
As exercises for .foot development and strengthening 
ballroom and other dancing are valuable. 
We have set aside a roora in our home equipped and planned for dancing. 
We seldom niiss a day without dancing. 
On J'xxday evenings we have o. small home square dance party, 
and on Sunday aiternoons a similar ballrooms dance party j 
to both groups we introduce some folk dances. 
These aid in maintaining the skills learned 
and are a vrclcome opportunity to friends ^^rho do not hare as adequate 
home dance facilities. 
Dancing is an ideal exercise .for husband and wife thruoat life. 
It can be done at horao at a minimuia of expense after the learning period, 
can be enjoyed regardless of outside weather, oven with children around, 
altogether quite an ideal ex ei cine to cul.ti vate . 
It is import.ant to maintain adqquate salt and water .int.ake 
to assure against muscle stiffness or cramps from salt <7 water depletion thru sweat. 
