Miami, U.S.A. — In preparation for National Dance Day on Saturday, July 28, Zumba Fitness–the global multimedia fitness leader and creator of the acclaimed Zumba dance-fitness workout–has announced its partnership with the Dizzy Feet Foundation (DFF) to encourage the nation, both young and old, to get off the couch and into the groove of a fit, healthy lifestyle.

To kick-start the partnership, Zumba Fitness’ signature fusion of upbeat world rhythms with easy-to-follow choreography will be one of the two official dance routines produced by the Dizzy Feet Foundation for National Dance Day 2012. Those looking to learn the official routines can visit dizzyfeetfoundation.org/national-dance-day, where they will be treated to a special video featuring Zumba Fitness Celebrity Instructors Kass Martin and Gina Grant demonstrating the choreography created specifically for National Dance Day – set to the brand’s original song, “Crazy Love.”

“Nigel and the Dizzy Feet Foundation have created an incredible event that inspires and motivates people across the nation to incorporate dance as a fun, fit way of living a healthy lifestyle—the exact message that our Zumba instructors spread to the more than 12 million people taking Zumba classes each week,” said Alberto Perlman, co-founder and CEO of Zumba Fitness. “When the opportunity came to team up with the Dizzy Feet Foundation for National Dance Day, the synergy was perfect.”

Zumba Fitness has also made a substantial contribution to support and expand the dance education programs funded by the Dizzy Feet Foundation. DFF was established 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 National Dance Day campaign can be seen during on-air broadcasts of FOX Television’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” produced by 19 Entertainment, Ltd and where Lythgoe serves as executive producer, judge and co-creator.

“Zumba Fitness gets people off the couch and into a class where they can experience all of the amazing benefits that dance has to offer,” said Nigel Lythgoe, co-president of the Dizzy Feet Foundation. “The work that Zumba Fitness has done to improve the health of citizens in the United States and more than 125 nations across this globe is truly remarkable. We are so pleased to work with this global brand to encourage people to experience the power of dance and movement on what is certain to be the biggest and best National Dance Day in our history.”

Created in 2010 by Lythgoe and supported by a congressional resolution introduced by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-Washington, DC), National Dance Day is an annual grassroots initiative to promote the joy and benefits of dance throughout the United States. As part of the partnership, Zumba Fitness also will promote National Dance Day by encouraging its extensive, loyal fan base to attend events for the celebration in both Washington D.C. and Los Angeles on Saturday, July 28.

Image Courtesy of  Zumba Fitness

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A new study conducted in Taiwan reveals that providing the body with a small dose of exercise several days a week can equate to a substantial list of health benefits.

Taiwan’s National Health Research Institutes have discovered that those who exercise an overall average of 92 minutes a week acquired a 14 percent decreased mortality rate in comparison to inactive individuals.  The study, which was published in the Lancet, uncovers that this 14 percent mortality reduction translates into three added years to one’s life.

The significance of exercise is a well understood fact by society’s majority but it’s well known it’s not practiced by all.  Taiwan’s new study gives a new perspective to the typical look at exercise; It has consistently been vocalized that exercise in the arena of 30 minutes 5 days a week is the ideal but it’s a sure thing that Taiwan’s findings will offer people a look into exercise.

The study reads that while an individual may not be able to exercise into the 30 minute realm consistently if they can squeeze 15 minutes of exercise into their day they’ve still undoubtedly benefited there body.  The 30 minute a day mentality can be an overwhelming standard for many- Taiwan’s study, rather than feeding this mentality helps acknowledge the importance of exercise in a newer light.

The study’s researchers questioned 416,175 people who self-assessed how much they exercised.  Those surveyed were asked to note types of exercise they carried out in the previous month which includes walking, jogging and running which were then sorted into levels activity- inactive, low, medium, high or very high activity

The majority of participants were found to be classified as inactive while 22% were low, 14% as medium, and 5% for high and very high activity.

After that study was conducted the researchers carried out a follow up study organized after an approximate 8 years to determine the mortality risk and life expectancy for each grouping.

Their findings uncovered that simply 15 minutes of moderately intense exercise amounted to “significant health benefits” for those who were originally inactive. Ultimately the group of those who exercised had fewer deaths and fewer cancer-related deaths than the inactive category of people.

While many organizers fluent in the health and fitness field do recommend a half hour of exercise five days a week, this study helps cement the fact that even an ounce of exercise is working toward greater bodily health.

“Individuals are more likely to do 15 minutes of daily exercise than they are 30 minutes of daily exercise,” the authors stated.

Nonetheless the study was an observational study which leaves gaps for slight inaccuracy of the findings to arise.  This truth makes it difficult to determine whether the health outcomes of those studied were a result of exercise alone. And with the exercise accounts within the study being self-reported, this makes determining exactly how strong the health benefits of exercise are even further.

Yet it remains undeniable the positive impact any form of exercise can bring to one’s body and quality of life.

The article Study Finds Minimal Time Exercising Reaps Body Benefits appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.