Dancing in gym

The above portrait of the Gower family, painted in the 18th century, offers a great example of a one scientifically proven method of raising brain healthy human beings.  It has been reported in the New England Journal of Medicine  that 

"Among leisure activities, reading, playing board games, playing musical instruments, and dancing were associated with a reduced risk of dementia."

All of these genteel leisure pursuits begin in childhood. We are taught these brain healthy behaviors so that they are second nature to us before we need them.  

What if we never learned them? 

The Grant High School PE curriculum included square dance, fox trot, polka and waltz. We learned them with boys, although ordinarily the gym classes were sex segregated. After the social dancing unit was over, we had a modern dance unit. Everyone in class had to perform, using their own choreography. At the time I was baffled by the idea that I should learn dance from the same person who taught me swimming, track and basketball. 

Now it turns out our gym teacher was forward thinking as a health professional, and completely right.