A well-known Chatham author is dancing her way to joy - and neurological health

South Chatham author Anne LeClaire is a true believer in the power of dance, having started dancing at the Adam in Chatham dance studio five years ago. She went to an open house just to keep a friend company and ended up signing up for her first class before she left. Now she takes three lessons a week and practices in the studio on the days she doesn’t have lessons.

“I fell completely in love with dance,” LeClaire said. “It’s a fabulous challenge. I believe that one of the best medicines to contribute to and support health in our bodies is joy, and dance is a joy generator – and an anti-ager to boot!”

All physical exercise is good for brain health, but dancing is particularly good for both the brain and the body, according to a recent Washington Post article, which highlighted the benefits of dancing for the prevention of dementia. The article cited an older study published in the New England Journal of Medicine that found that while all cognitively challenging activities, like board games and puzzles, are helpful, dancing may reduce a person’s dementia risk by as much as 76 percent.

This news did not surprise Megan Carey, NP, a nurse practitioner with Neurologists of Cape Cod in Hyannis and Sandwich. She and her colleagues always recommend 150 minutes of exercise a week. It’s good for the brain, heart and body and is especially helpful in preventing neurodegenerative diseases. But dancing is unique, she said.

“It requires a little bit more than just getting up and moving. It’s using your brain and cognition to really match the moves with the rhythm, and remembering steps. And, if you’re with a partner, obviously being in tune with them just adds another whole level of exercise for your brain as well as your body.”

It is also social, which is another proven benefit for brain health. Even just listening to music helps those who already have issues with dementia. It is now proving to be preventive, as well. A new study published in November found that older adults who consistently listen to music cut their dementia risk by 40 percent.

“But if, on top of that, they can incorporate some movement with it, it is even better,” Carey said.

LeClaire’s Experience

LeClaire has now become proficient enough in dance, particularly Latin dances, to compete. She credited studio owner Adam Spencer with helping her specialize in the Argentine tango and other Latin dances like cha-ha, samba, rumba, paso doble, and jive.

She now competes at the state and national level and has won ribbons, medals and awards, including high honors, on all of the exams for bronze level Argentine tango that required learning a 75-page syllabus. She is currently working on another long syllabus to earn the silver level in Argentine tango.

In addition to working with Spencer, LeClaire works with international ballroom dance judge and Dancing with the Stars choreographer Eddie Alba.

“As life goes on and we age, our world can get smaller,” she said. “My world is getting bigger because of dance. It’s just so good for me in every way. I don’t think my body has ever been more fit.”

LeClaire said it makes sense that dancing is good for your neurological health because dance sport, which is what competitive dancing is called, is incredibly challenging. It requires a lot of focus to learn the choreography and then coordinate her body and brain.

“There’s something about it; the music, the dancing, the social aspect of it and working really hard to get good at something,” she said.