Ms. Poppy Chiffon — the doyenne of dance, the baroness of ballroom etiquette, the sultana of Southern hospitality — is pleased to answer your dance-related questions. Here are a few queries that Poppy deigned to extract from her mailbag this week. If you have a question that you would like Poppy Chiffon to address, please e-mail her at askpoppy@dancestationusa.com. Ms. Chiffon regrets that she cannot respond individually to questions.
Dear Poppy,
My friend is always harping on how healthy dancing can be for everyone. Now she is saying that dancing will keep the flu away. How can this be true? I would think being so close to different people would make you more susceptible.
Germ Spreading Skeptic
Dear Skeptic,
Are you kidding, Sweetie? Dancing is one of the most healthy exercises you can give to yourself. It not only tones the body and sharpens the mind, dancing relieves stress which is toxic to your immune system. Of course, this will help to fight off the flu. Don’t forget to wash your hands a lot, Honey; and absolutely don’t go out dancing when you are sick!
Dear Poppy,
I am approaching my fifties, and I am concerned about bone loss and osteoporosis. I can’t seem to find a form of exercise that I enjoy. Does dancing help prevent bone loss?
Approaching Fifty
Dear Approaching Fifty,
Get busy and shake a leg, Sweetie. Dancing is a weight bearing exercise that will give a boost to your bone density!
