Get Healthy CT Invites Public to National Dance Day in Trumbull July 27

To celebrate National Dance Day, Get Healthy Connecticut, a regional coalition that includes Bridgeport Hospital and other organizations, invites the public to take part in a dance awareness event to promote the benefits of physical activity on Saturday, July 27, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., in the Lord & Taylor Court at Westfield Trumbull mall.

This free event is open to the public and will include demonstrations as well as introductory dance lessons for beginners of all ages presented by the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Trumbull and other local dance schools. The Stratford YMCA will get kids age four to six moving with “ZumbAtomic,” which features high-energy kid-friendly routines. Get Healthy CT is proud to present the First Annual National Dance Day in conjunction with Westfield Trumbull and the Trumbull/Monroe Health District.

“People who are not in the habit of exercising regularly think it will be intimidating, expensive and boring,” explained Patrice Sulik, Get Healthy CT physical activity task force member and health director, Trumbull/Monroe Health District. “In fact, exercise can be fun and dancing is the perfect way to get started because anybody can do it, anywhere, any time and it’s fun!”

Launched in 2010 by “So You Think You Can Dance” co-creator and Dizzy Feet Foundation co-president Nigel Lythgoe, National Dance Day is an annual celebration that takes place on the last Saturday in July. This grassroots campaign encourages Americans to embrace dance as a fun and positive way to maintain good health and combat obesity. Dizzy Feet Foundation was founded in 2009 by Nigel Lythgoe, Adam Shankman, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Katie Holmes, among others, to support, improve, and increase access to dance education in the United States.

The Benefits of Dance (Adapted from FredAstaire.com)

Dancing isn't just about the steps and music. It's a perfect combination of physical activity, social interaction, and mental stimulation. Dancing enhances life in so many ways:

• Health - When you dance, your cardiovascular system improves, your muscle tone increases, and you burn calories. This low-impact aerobic activity also increases flexibility, strength, and balance. Olympic athletes often dance as part of their training to sharpen their control, agility and speed.

• Fun - Dancing is a great way to add excitement to your life. Although learning to dance takes concentration and dedication, it can be a pleasurable and rewarding experience.

• Confidence - Dancers possess an aura of self-confidence and an ability to enjoy themselves more in social situations. When you learn how to dance, your entire mental outlook will take on a fresh sense of creativity, motivation and energy. This new self-confidence in your dancing abilities will transfer to other aspects of your life as well.

• Self-Expression - Dance provides an emotional outlet so you can express your feelings through your body movements with passion and flair. Dancing will bring out, improve upon and strengthen your ability to permanently use these expressive qualities even when you are not dancing.

• Relaxation -
In today's fast-paced world, we sometimes forget to take a moment for ourselves. Dancing provides an enjoyable escape from your normal daily routine, plus a chance to relax, relieve stress and concentrate on yourself.

About Get Healthy Connecticut: Founded in 2010, Get Healthy CT (GHCT) is a coalition of large and small, for profit and nonprofit businesses and organizations collaborating to reduce obesity in the Greater Bridgeport region. To accomplish this goal, Get Healthy CT strives to educate and encourage people to exercise more and eat better in order to stay healthy and productive. There is no cost to become a member. To learn more, visit GetHealthyCT.org. Funding for Get Healthy CT is provided through a generous grant from United Way of Coastal Fairfield County. To learn more, visit GetHealthyCT.org.

Bridgeport Hospital, part of Yale New Haven Health, is a non-profit 501-bed acute care hospital with two campuses (plus 42 beds licensed to Yale New Haven Children's Hospital). Its Bridgeport and Milford Campuses serve patients from across the region. The hospital admits more than 23,000 patients and provides nearly 350,000 outpatient treatments annually. The Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital is the only burn center in the state and one of only 64 verified burn centers in the United States. Bridgeport Hospital is committed to providing safe, compassionate and cost efficient care to its patients and the community. www.bridgeporthospital.org