St. James to host day of dance

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Updated: March 2, 2012 8:13AM

Franciscan St. James Health is hosting a program for women in conjunction with the National Day of Dance for Your Health on Feb. 16 at the St. James Health & Wellness Institute in Chicago Heights.

The event will combine the fun of dancing to different kinds of music, such as ballroom, rock ‘n roll, jazz, salsa, swing and hip-hop, with health screenings and community education on heart disease and other topics.

Although in its seventh year nationwide, this is the first year for the program in the south suburbs, according to a St. James spokesman. Up to 500 women are expected to participate in the event at the St. James Health & Wellness Institute, 100 197th Place, Chicago Heights.

The program, which starts at 6 p.m. includes dancing, speakers and other activities to remind participants that preventing cardiovascular disease and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be energizing.

St. James will offer free health screenings starting at 5:30 p.m. Screenings will include cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure, bone density and waist-girth.

“Coronary heart disease, which causes heart attacks, is the single leading cause of death for American women,” Franciscan St. James president Seth Warren said. “Many women believe that cancer is the number one cause of death, but they’re misinformed. Nearly twice as many U.S. women die of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases than from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer.”

Day of Dance focuses on dance as a way to take steps for a healthier life because dancing can burn as many calories as swimming, walking, or riding a bike — up to 400 calories per hour.

To register for the program, call (800) 785-2637 or visit www.franciscanstjames.org/dayofdance.