Dancing is good for you. For lots of reasons: it conquers shyness, makes us feel good about ourselves and towards others. In a word, it helps us to socialise. As a reaction against an increasingly individualist world there's a need for opportunities to get together, chase away loneliness and meet new people. But even for those with partners learning to dance as a couple can contribute to a better understanding and closeness…apart from providing an additional chance to be together!

Age is unimportant. For many of the elderly, for example, dancing represents a real relationship 'lifeline' and it's sweet to hear about the occasional older love story that started right on the dance floor. The joy of dancing can also provoke the same attractions - if perhaps in a different way -  for younger people.

What a body! Dancing is above all a fun, efficient way to keep in shape: it improves posture and movement co-ordination and develops a sense of rhythm and an idea of the relationship between time and space. The body definitely becomes more toned-up, harmonious and graceful.

Positive energy. The physical commitment that dancing requires is considerable but not necessarily excessive. It depends on the kind of dancing being learned. The rumba, for example, does not burn as many calories as flamenco and salsa. On average energy burns around 200-600 calories an hour.

Flexible muscles. Without going so far as becoming professionals, if dancing is taken up with diligence proper physical training is recommended. As it is a resistance physical activity joint mobility is very important. Articulations and joints must be totally flexible in order not to risk painful obstacles and injury.

Less weight, more heart. First of all you need to check your weight and work on your cardiovascular capacity. Moving about overburdened with extra kilos considerably increases knee and ankle strain. Reducing body fat is the first step towards improving basic resistance through 'low intensity' physical activity such as walking, cycling or running for enough time - at least 30-40 minutes. Try consulting your training mates: the level is not excessive if you don't feel any effort.

A safe, comfortable workout. Running outside exposes you to risky ground like asphalt, rocky pavements or hidden uneven surfaces. The alternatives? Running on levelled earth or exercising on a bike or treadmill either in the comfort of your own home or at the gym.

Flexibility is important. Stretching, carried out before and after training, is important to increase muscular flexibility and keep aches and pains at bay the day after. When doing stretching exercises concentrate on the legs, allowing 30-60 seconds for each position.

Warm-up for feet and ankles. It's a good idea to look after your feet with specific exercises to stimulate 'reactivity' such as circling movements: Stretch the foot out and carefully rotate it using the ankle as the fulcrum of movement. Do about 10 rotations then change direction. This 'heats up' the joint ready for work.

Strong muscles in all the right places. As far as strength is concerned, improving it prepares us to bear the effort used when dancing better. Apart from leg muscles don't forget to work on abdominals, oblique and dorsal muscles as they are all used to give the body correct posture and stability. Abdominals in particular are involved in almost all trunk movements and work together with the oblique muscles, the fascia to the left and right above our hips.