Shine those red shoes for Saturday’s
Women’s Day of Dance
By Sherrie Norris
Good health is just a dance away, says Bryan Belcher,
manager of Watauga County Healthy Carolinians, a community outreach
of the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System and co-sponsor with
Charter Communications of an upcoming event to which area women
are not only invited, but strongly encouraged to attend.
On Saturday, Feb. 23, the Watauga Medical Center auditorium will
be the site of a Women’s Day of Dance for Health, presented
by affiliate hospitals of the Spirit of Women Health Network in
more than 65 cities across the United States.
The event is combined with The Red Shoe Initiative, a national
health education campaign inspiring women to step, walk and dance
for heart health and wellness. “Whether it’s taking
steps to maintain a healthy diet, walking daily to increase physical
activity, or dancing with friends and family to share and enjoy
exercise, this campaign is motivating women into action across
America, educating them to take action and make healthier choices
in the fight against heart attacks and stroke, the leading causes
of death among women,” a spokesperson shared.
As one of only four North Carolina locations to host this simultaneous
Day of Dance, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System joins Carolinas
Medical Center (Monroe location), Cleveland County Healthcare
System in Shelby and Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville,
as well as others across the country, in an effort to inspire
women and their families toward better overall health.
“We are hoping to prove that exercise can be both fun and
beneficial to the heart,” Belcher said.
Boone’s Day of Dance will take place from 1 to 4 p.m., and
will include not only dancing, heart disease risk assessment and
blood pressure screening, but also refreshments, dance performances
and instruction for seven different types of dance – everything
from African dance to jazz, salsa and shag.
“Dancing can burn as many calories as swimming, walking,
or riding a bike (as many as 200 to 400 calories per hour). If
done on a regular basis as a form of exercise, many health benefits
result, including weight maintenance or weight loss, blood pressure
and cholesterol management (lowering), increased energy, decreased
sadness and depression, increased coordination and muscle strength
and an overall sense of well-being. In addition, dancing can help
develop new social connections, as well as enhance and strengthen
relationships,” Belcher said.
Statistics indicate that nearly 500,000 women die each year of
cardiovascular disease, making it the leading cause of death for
American women. “One in two women will die of heart disease,
yet they continue not to personalize their individual risk for
cardiovascular disease,” Belcher said.
Saturday’s Day of Dance in Boone includes the following
schedule:
1-1:15 pm: Brandie Foster – director of imaging;
1:15 - 1:35 p.m.: African dance;
1:35 - 1:55 p.m.: Shag;
1:55 - 2:15 p.m.: Clogging;
2:15 - 2:35 p.m: Jazz/line dancing;
2:35 - 2:55 p.m.: Salsa;
2:55 - 3:15 p.m.: Belly;
3:15 - 3:35 p.m.: High Country Scottish Dancers; and
3:35 p.m.: Closing remarks.
The Spirit of Women Hospital Network is a national coalition
of hospitals and health care facilities across the U.S. dedicated
to improving women’s lives with innovative health and community
programs, touching millions each year through the presentation
of educational events, consumer membership programs, annual
conferences, marketing communications and grassroots . Spirit
of Women enables participating hospitals to focus on community
needs while providing the strength of national support.
According to its Web site, “The Spirit of Women national
brand is anchored by media support such as Oprah Magazine, Good
Housekeeping, and The Today Show. The Spirit of Women Hospital
Network frequently works in cooperation with U.S. government
health agencies such as The Office on Women’s Health and
the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Spirit of Women
also has the ability to leverage celebrities, including Patrick
Swayze, Christina Applegate and Debbie Allen, and their star
power to spread the important health messages of the network
and its partners.
“As a coalition of hospitals, health care providers, corporate
partners and media, Spirit of Women is the proud promoter of
national educational initiatives for women and their families.
Programs, such as Day of Dance, are implemented throughout the
country and address health topics such as menopause, cancer,
incontinence, diabetes, heart disease, healthy pregnancy, and
many more.”
So women, it’s time to get your red shoes out of the closet
and get ready to dance – even if you’ve never danced
before. This is your day and the first step toward a healthier
you.
For more information, call Healthy Carolinians office at (828)
268-8961.
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