There's been a lot of hype of late about dancing being good for your brain. Countless conversations, podcasts and articles have highlighted the benefits a couple of fox trots around the dance floor can do for one's brain.
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We stepped into a session with Merimbula's New Vogue dance group to see if there was any proof in the pudding.
Jim Warley, 85, reckons he would've "fallen off the perch" if his daughter hadn't suggested he try dancing three and a half years ago.
"I was drinking pretty heavy at the time, I was 10 kilos heavier than what I am now.
"I gave away the drink ... I reckon it's been one of the greatest things that ever happened to me," he said before reeling of the number of times a week he attends dance meets.
For Jim, who lives alone, the added bonus has been the social life, admitting he'd be lonely without dancing.
"I'm too old for a girlfriend," he joked. "But I've struck up some pretty good friendships.
"On my 85th birthday, John and Pat [fellow dancers] put on a do for me at their place, the whole gang turned up. It was a terrific afternoon."
Being a self confessed social butterfly, retired doctor Dorothea Bonney, 72, said she slotted the Friday morning sessions in with her busy line-up of weekly dance appointments including rock'n'roll and line dancing. She said she took up dancing as a way to promote brain health.
"I would say I dance about six times a week, and it makes me very happy...and healthy," she added.
Dorothea believed "getting out of the house" was having a positive impact on hers and her peers lives.
"It's so much better than staying in your pyjamas and watching television all of the time.
"Look at these people, look at their smiles, they're all healthy and don't even think of getting sick. They don't have time. It's amazing what a difference it makes."
"It also helps with keep public medical costs down," she joked.
With a over 15 couples' hips swaying in time to the 'cha cha' it would seem New Vogue is more popular than ever. However according to the group's spokesperson John Tanner not all men take to it as Jim did, like a duck to water.
"We're often short in men, we'd love a few men to come along and take up the lead," he said, admitting it was his wife who persuaded him to come along. Which he says is often the case.
"Women want to dance, but they cant convince their husbands."
Looking over at Jim who is now gracefully waltzing around the dance floor, you wouldn't think he needed too much convincing.
He proudly let on earlier he'd heard he was the best waltzer in the group, and there is a certain air of confidence in his step.
So maybe the experts are right, dancing is good for your brain and physical health, but did anyone mention self esteem.
The New Vogue dance group meets at the Merimbula Uniting Church hall on Fridays 9am until 12pm and Tuesday evenings 7-10 pm.
For further information call John Tanner 0428 957 165 or Gloria Campbell on 649 51 645
