To Juggle or Not To Juggle? – Body Moves Fitness and Wellness Studio

Juggling as an exercise?

Many would scoff at the thought, but what constitutes exercise?

ex·er·cise /ˈeksərˌsīz/ noun

activity requiring physical effort, carried out to sustain or improve health and fitness.
a process or activity carried out for a specific purpose, especially one concerned with a specified area or skill.

Juggling requires physical effort and it improves a person’s physical and mental health/. It has one specific purpose (don’t let anything drop!) and is based on one skill. Based on the definition, juggling is an exercise; but there’s more to it than semantics.

Here are some of the benefits of juggling that you may or may not have considered!

Juggling maintains and increases range of motion in the arms and shoulders.

Participants in our first juggling workshop can attest to the fact that juggling utilizes body mechanics in which people normally do not engage. It’s great to move the body in new ways to maintain range of motion, helping to lubricate the joints in the arms and shoulders.

Juggling improves intelligence.

Juggling has actually been proven to increase the amount of gray matter in the brain (Nature magazine, Vol. 427, Jan. 2004). One study showed that it did this in just seven days! Research also suggests it may prevent Alzheimer’s disease, making it a great choice for brain fitness; and these benefits happen whether you’re skilled in the art or still in the learning stages ― this is great news for beginners!!

Juggling sharpens focus and concentration.

Juggling is (obviously) great for training one’s concentration because it requires a lot of it. The intense focus required for juggling can filter into other areas of life that require the same type of close attention. Likewise, juggling can help improve problem-solving skills as the juggler responds to constantly changing factors.

Juggling helps with stress relief.

Some may think of juggling as stressful with all the concentation required by it, but actually when learning to juggle, a person is immediately absorbed in the activity, making it nearly impossible to think of anything but the task at hand. This makes a great way to temporarily distract one’s mind from worries, stress, hardships, or other cares with which they are currently preoccupied.

Juggling truly is one of the quickest ways to take one’s mind off something, which makes it the perfect form of stress relief. Overwhelmed with work? Pick up the juggling balls or scarves for as little as five minutes and practice—the mind will clear.

Juggle burns calories but doesn’t feel like exercise.

Many people are surprised to find out that juggling burns 280 calories per hour, which is similar to walking, only with other benefits as listed above and below! As long as someone remembers to breathe while doing it (right Lee?), juggling is aerobic exercise and is one of few aerobic exercises that can be done in a tiny space.

Juggling does not require travel, yet it is a portable workout.

With the winter season here, snowfall is inevitable; however, juggling does not require access to the studio. You can juggle in large or small spaces, and most certainly in your own home! The equipment required is minimal and portable. Juggling scarves or balls fit into a purse, briefcase, backpack or luggage. This makes it the perfect exercise for those home bound or those on the road.

In addition to all this, juggling will help improve spatial awareness, eye/hand coordination, dual-tasking and more! Juggling is GOOD for BRAINS and BODIES of ALL AGES, and at this workshop, it’s also guaranteed to be a good time!

This workshop will be led by a magician Lee Iben who says he is able to teach anyone to juggle within one hour. While you may not have it mastered by the end of the time, you will be well on your way to success. You can come to prove him wrong, but be forewarned: it may be that you end up proving him right!!

LEARN-TO-JUGGLE WORKSHOP
Saturday, December 10
4:00-5:00PM

Tuition is only $25 and includes set of juggling balls!

This is a great opportunity to spend quality time with a family member or friend — time invested in the relationship AND time invested in boosting your brain and body power! It’s a win-win.