How Dance Therapy Improves Your Life
The Healing Power of Dance: How Movement Improves Brain Health
Scientists are discovering the profound ways dance benefits people living with conditions like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. From improved brain function to a stronger sense of community, dance is changing lives.
Sarah Robichaud, a Toronto-based dancer with Bolshoi training, knows the impact firsthand. On Zoom, she guides a class of 80 students through a graceful, ballet-inspired routine. Her movements are wide and expressive, set to a gentle cover of the Proclaimers' "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)". Her students eagerly follow along.
"Let's start by swaying gently, side to side," she instructs. "Imagine a thread is attached to your wrist, someone pulling it softly."
Over half of Robichaud's students live with Parkinson's disease, a condition that often causes movement difficulties. Yet, as they mirror her motions, a sense of fluidity overcomes them.
"The transformation is incredible," says Robichaud, who founded the non-profit Dancing With Parkinson's program. This organization provides free online and in-person dance classes. "For 16 years, I've witnessed moments during these classes that bring tears to my eyes."
Mounting research shows that dance offers powerful brain benefits. It also helps manage symptoms of various neurological and movement conditions like Parkinson's, MS, Alzheimer's, dementia, and even brain injuries. Dance programs and movement therapies worldwide are making an immense difference in people's quality of life.
Dance: A Workout for the Brain
Helena Blumen, a cognitive scientist at New York City's Albert Einstein College of Medicine, explains the unique way dance activates the brain. The complex mental work of coordinating steps and patterns stimulates multiple brain regions at once. This leads to stronger neural connections throughout the brain.
Put simply, dance demands more mental effort than simpler, repetitive forms of exercise. "It challenges you socially, mentally, and physically," says Blumen.
We all know the mood boost that comes from dancing to our favorite music – a feeling some researchers call "pleasure double-play"! But within the brain, even more is happening. Following simple dance sequences takes focus and skill.
"Dance requires us to learn patterns, balance symmetrical and asymmetrical movements, and recall sequences," says David Leventhal, a leader in the Dance for PD program at the Mark Morris Dance Group (where Robichaud received her training).
The Dance Effect: Beyond the Studio
The positive impact of dance extends far beyond the dance class itself. For those with Parkinson's, studies show that activities targeting balance, coordination, flexibility, creativity, and memory (all emphasized in dance), can noticeably improve symptoms.
A 2021 study by York University demonstrated that those with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease gained improved motor function and enhanced their daily living abilities by participating in weekly dance training.
But how is dance uniquely beneficial compared to other forms of exercise?
Dance Therapy- The Brainpower Advantage
The intricate multitasking involved in dance sets it apart, leading to the creation of 'superhighways' within the brain. "It's like the brain develops new routes, repairs old ones, and even adjusts traffic flow to optimize function," explains Dr. Notger Müller, a health sciences professor at the University of Potsdam and co-author of a study conducted at Otto von Guericke University.
This boost in neuroplasticity (the brain's ability to adapt and change) offers far-reaching benefits. A study by researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine linked social ballroom dancing to a reduced loss of brain volume in the hippocampus in adults over 65. This region is central to memory and strongly affected by Alzheimer's disease. In essence, dance may slow the progression of the disease.
The benefits extend to numerous other conditions as well. Similar studies demonstrate advantages for individuals with MS, Huntington's disease, autism, and depression. Even those recovering from brain injuries could see improvements. A small Finnish study involving patients with severe traumatic brain injury suggests dance-based therapy may improve mobility, cognitive function, and overall wellbeing.
Image Credit - Dancing With Parkinsons
A Dance Therapy for Connection and Acceptance
Beyond physical and mental benefits, dance helps people living with these conditions embrace their bodies. Erica Hornthal, a Chicago-based dance/movement therapist, clinical counselor, and author, emphasizes this point. "Dance is about befriending your body. It builds awareness, agency, and acceptance," she says.
This focus on body awareness and movement within one's own ability level, regardless of limitations, creates a sense of freedom.
Dawnia Baynes, diagnosed with MS in her mid-twenties, knows this feeling. The disease left her with chronic numbness and muscle tightness, affecting balance and walking. However, after joining the University of Florida's online dance program for MS patients, she found improvements in coordination and range of motion. More importantly, the program helped her overcome her fear of judgment about how she moves.
"Seeing others move like me," she explains, "without needing perfection or strict technique, made me comfortable in my own body – both in class and in the wider world."
The Power of Dance Community
Perhaps one of the greatest gifts of dance lies in the sense of community it fosters. Dancing with others counters the loneliness and isolation often associated with chronic illness. This shared experience helps individuals feel less alone in their challenges.
This sense of belonging has expanded many programs beyond their original intention. The Dance for PD model, where Leventhal teaches, is a prime example. Initially designed for people with Parkinson's, it's now open to everyone. This inclusivity builds even stronger bonds.
Leventhal shares that, for many, these classes become essential to managing their Parkinson's, boosting not only their physical abilities but also their overall quality of life. Over 300 communities in 28 countries have now adopted this model, and many incorporate their own unique cultural dance styles.
Dance Therapy: A Path to Better Living
Scientists are still exploring the full potential of dance as a therapeutic tool. Larger-scale studies are needed to verify the results of smaller trials conducted so far. Researchers aim to uncover which precise dance movements offer the most significant benefits and determine the ideal frequency and length for classes.
These investigations will help determine who stands to benefit most from this type of therapy in terms of their age or stage of disease progression.
However, for those uncomfortable with the idea of dance as therapy, there's good news! Alternative brain-boosting activities exist. Options like tai chi and yoga also engage the mind and body in beneficial ways, as confirmed by Notger Müller, the health sciences professor who co-authored the Otto von Guericke University study.
And if shyness about public classes is a concern, online options make it easy to dance in the privacy of home. Many of Robichaud's Dancing With Parkinson's participants on Zoom choose to keep their cameras off, allowing them to focus entirely on themselves.
Robichaud's approach to these classes focuses on fostering community. She even takes the program on the road occasionally, teaching sessions directly in the homes of dancers across Ontario. Her message, regardless of location, is one of profound hope: "We want people to feel joy, engage with their communities, and realize the unlimited possibilities that remain in their lives."
Making Strides Through Dance therapy
The idea of dance as therapy shouldn't be confined to the walls of a studio or classroom. Incorporating elements of dance into everyday life can improve both physical and mental wellbeing. Think about your morning routine – brushing your teeth, getting dressed – can you introduce a bit of playful movement, perhaps swaying with the rhythm of your favorite song?
Tasks like navigating a crowded grocery store or walking to a bus stop can feel far more manageable when approached with a dancer's mindset. Consider turning daily challenges into imagined choreography, focusing on balance and smooth transitions throughout the space.
It may seem unusual at first, but this simple shift offers powerful advantages. A study by Joseph F. X. DeSouza, a professor of kinesiology at York University, looked at the effects of dance-focused exercise. Participants living independently in assisted care facilities showed significant gains in their static and dynamic balance, as well as overall functional fitness. This translates to a reduced risk of falls, allowing greater independence – a significant victory.
The science is clear: dance holds immense therapeutic value. But even without the scientific backing, its benefits are undeniable. For 84-year-old Anne Thompson, who has Parkinson's disease, dance class is a highlight of her week. "It brings me such joy," she says. "And more than that, it helps me feel more like myself again." This, perhaps, is the greatest gift dance can offer.
Dance Therapy: More than Just Movement
In cities across the world, community dance programs are springing up – and not just for populations with specific health conditions. This growing accessibility reflects a shift in how society views dance. No longer relegated to the stage or studio, it's becoming a tool for broader wellbeing.
At the forefront of this movement are organizations like Dance for Connection in Colorado. Inspired by the Dance for PD model, this non-profit welcomes people of all abilities and backgrounds. "Our mission is simple," explains Executive Director Ashley Reavis, "to use dance as a way to build strong, inclusive communities where everyone feels they belong."
This focus on inclusion benefits all who participate. Dance for Connection's diverse classes create a sense of shared experience that breaks down barriers and stereotypes. "The benefits go far beyond improving someone's walk or reducing tremors," says Reavis. "It's about forging connections and reminding people that they're not defined by a diagnosis or limitation."
This perspective is vital. While research on the physical advantages of dance is exciting, experts caution against framing it solely as treatment. "People are complex," emphasizes Helena Blumen of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. "To see dance simply as a fix for what's 'wrong' misses the bigger picture. It's about enhancing quality of life, about joy and expression."
This joy-centered approach is essential if dance is to become a mainstream tool for wellness. Too often, exercise is presented as something we endure for the sake of results. Dance offers a powerful alternative. "Moving to music we love, with others, changes the entire experience," states Erica Hornthal, the Chicago-based dance/movement therapist. "It shifts from a chore to something we deeply crave."
Image Credit - Breaking Bounds
Finding Your Rhythm
If you're inspired to try incorporating dance into your life, don't feel pressured to enroll in a formal class. Even small steps make a difference. Put on a song that lifts your spirits and move around your kitchen. Take a break at work and do a few gentle stretches with a focus on smooth, flowing motions. If privacy is a concern, find videos online that offer simple movement sequences in a style you enjoy.
No matter how you choose to start, allow yourself to be playful and focus on the experience rather than achieving "perfect" form. Dance offers a sense of freedom and exploration. Perhaps most importantly, in a world that often values productivity over presence, it invites us to fully inhabit our bodies and the present moment. That, in itself, is a powerful gift.
Dance Therapy: A Path to a Brighter Future
The research is compelling, the stories inspiring – dance has undoubtedly earned its place as a powerful force for health and wellbeing. But as with any emerging field, there's always more to learn. To fully harness the potential of dance, scientists and dance educators must work together.
"The next step is finding ways to tailor dance programs to individual needs and goals," says David Leventhal of the Dance for PD program. "This means collecting data, observing what works best, and constantly refining our approach."
Making these programs widely accessible is another crucial factor. While online classes have opened doors, lack of internet access is a barrier for some. Community partnerships, scholarships, and sliding-scale fees can all help bridge this gap.
Ultimately, the goal is to empower people to take ownership of their health journey. Integrating dance, even in small ways, can become a sustainable habit. Whether battling a chronic condition or simply seeking greater physical and mental wellbeing, a little bit of movement can go a long way.
"We're only just scratching the surface of understanding what dance can do," says Robichaud of Dancing With Parkinson's. "This isn't just about managing symptoms. It's about giving people a richer life, filled with more possibility."
So, perhaps the next time you hear an upbeat song, instead of just tapping your foot, try letting your whole body sway to the rhythm. Walk down the street with a bit of spring in your step. Embrace the feeling – this could be the start of your own personal dance revolution. It may not cure all that ails you, but it's guaranteed to bring some extra joy into your world. And in the end, that's perhaps the most healing step of all.
A Note on Sources:
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