One of my students cut out an article for me that was posted in the Toronto Star recently about someone who used salsa to boost her memory. Cathryn Jakobson Ramin who is now 50, is the author of Carved in Sand: When Attention Fails and Memory Fades in Midlife.
She was interviewed because her memory had begun to fail her and she used many differnt approaches to re-sharpen her memory including supplements, a brain-training program, cognitive-enhancing drugs – and salsa dancing.
When asked why she chose salsa dancing her response was:
“You have to recall the steps and make your body perform them, all while you’re working with a partner, paying attention to the music, and trying not to crash into other people. It takes enormous neurological firepower.”
This is the first time I have heard of someone using salsa dancing for boosting memory but I do know that salsa dancing is commonly used to treat depression. According to an article written in the Courier & Mail, studies found that patients with depression received a huge boost of confidence and contentment after they attended salsa dance classes. This make a lot of sense to me. Salsa dancing is not only exercise which makes you happier, but the social interaction, confidence building and pride of mastering a difficult task can be a great revival strategy. You can express yourself, be creative and let out all the stress and frustrations of day to day life.
