Asia PR News

CORAL GABLES, Fla., May 26 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ –

Ballroom dance fans have always known that their favorite activity is great
for health and happiness. In the last few years, many prominent medical
research centers have announced clinical studies highlighting the benefits of a
regular program of ballroom dance both for fitness and battling Alzheimer’s.

"We see the benefits of ballroom dancing in our studios every day, and we
see it whenever our students and teachers gather for dance parties and
competitions. Dancers are a lively and social group, excited about what they
are doing and enjoying each other’s company," says Thomas D. Murdock, Vice
President, Marketing for Arthur Murray International. "They are happy and they
are having fun. It’s a winning combination for everyone."

Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City studied 469 people
over age 75 and found that ballroom dancing was associated with a lowered risk
of dementia. The mentally challenging aspects of dancing — following complex
dance steps, moving in time and staying with the rhythm of music — is believed
to be responsible. The study was published in the New England Journal of
Medicine.

Studies on the benefits of ballroom dance have also been conducted by
California State University at Long Beach, showing that even beginning students
can get their heart rates up to near-maximum training rates with a five-minute
warm-up and a 20-minute Cha Cha, Polka or Swing. Even moderate ballroom dance
burns between 250 - 300 calories per hour, and vigorous dancing can burn as
many as 400 calories per hour.

In addition, the Mayo Clinic Health Letter encouraged readers to try
ballroom dancing as a great way to burn calories, improve cardiovascular health
and help in developing strong social ties, which contributes to self-esteem and
a positive outlook.

A visit to any Arthur Murray Dance Studio offers further proof that all of
these studies are right on target — although ballroom dancers have known this
all along. Students are happy, as this is the place they come to have fun, see
their friends, make new friends, and enjoy a respite from everyday lives. At
amateur and professional competitions, the same vision presents itself —
people from all ages moving, dancing, and, above all, smiling.

Arthur and Kathryn Murray are perhaps the best example of this. They both
continued dancing long after retiring from active management of the
organization and both lived — and danced — well into their 90s. Many Arthur
Murray Dance Studio owners have seen age 65 come and go without thinking of
retiring or even slowing down.

Arthur Murray Dance Studios can be found throughout the United States and
Canada and in Brazil, Italy, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, South Africa, Japan,
Australia and Puerto Rico. For more information about ballroom dance, visit the
Arthur Murray International website at http://www.arthurmurray.com

SOURCE: Arthur Murray International

CONTACT: Tom Murdock of Arthur Murray,
+1-305-445-9645, or
tommurdock@arthurmurray.com; or

Shari Goldstein,
+1-516-433-5502, or
shari@goldsteinPR.com,

for Arthur Murray

Web site: http://www.arthurmurray.com