1. The Benefits of Dance for Health
Even before being born, and as babies, our first sensory awareness and early explorations are through movement. Dance, based in expressive movement, is an experience that predates language and has been a part of human history since the earliest times. Dance is particularly beneficial in that it offers all the benefits of other physical activities in sports, martial arts, etc., but adds the expressive, artistic elements of creativity, self-expression of emotions or ideas, as well as a social component that not all other endeavors possess.
What is Dance?
Dance anthropologist Judith Lynne Hanna provides an excellent definition for our use:
“Dance is a human behavior that is purposeful, intentionally rhythmical, and culturally patterned; involves nonverbal body movement; is beyond ordinary motor activity; and holds inherently aesthetic value.” (Hanna, 1987)
In teasing this out a little, dance is purposeful (with part of that intention being rhythmic in some way). It consists of movements that are beyond daily motor activity, meaning, dance is a choice to move in ways that are more expressive, different in effort and intention, than daily gestures or movements. Even everyday movements can be expressive, but they are not considered dancing (unless we decided to make an everyday gesture such as waving, or shaking our head yes, a dance – in which case we would be doing so with purpose and the intention of dancing or viewing it as such!).
As a nonverbal activity, dance is an expression of and with our bodies, although vocalizing could be an added component to dance movements (because our voice is also our body!)
Lastly, Hanna states that dance is culturally patterned and holds inherent aesthetic value. In other words, dancing does not exist outside the contexts of our culture and the beliefs, values, and behaviors that exist within a culture. And, although in ancient times and in remaining traditions (such as the Hula dance of the Hawaiian Islands), dance has been a means of communication, to tell stories. And, dance also has an aesthetic component, enacted with and viewed upon through the lens of its expressive nature (feelings, emotions, ideas) rather than solely as an informational or functional means.
So now, when you bust a move, whether in the dance class, at a club, or a wedding, you better understand the unique and wonderful combination of elements involved in this universal, time-worn human activity!
What Are the Health Benefits of Dance?
People may dance for many reasons: Because it is fun and relaxing, for ritualistic purposes, as a form of therapy, as well as a form of exercise. Dance, in the context you will be engaging it, will be an expressive and entertaining art form. Dance, as one of the many expressive art forms, provides the opportunity to express emotions, which can be stress-reducing and engaging in creativity and creative problem solving through all arts has several positive wellbeing effects including, increasing resilience and developing a sense of identity and self-efficacy. However, dancing is a uniquely very physical art form and thus shares in the many known health benefits of other physical activities/sports. Dancing, with its combination of physical, expressive, and social components, is a unique endeavor with a unique combination of benefits.
Physical Benefits
Dance typically involves cardiovascular activity combined with strength, balance, and flexibility training. Dance is a viable alternative to other forms of physical activity (cardiovascular fitness and musculoskeletal strength).
Cognitive and Perceptual Benefits
Dancing typically involves learning and remembering dance sequences. Those sequences involve the positioning and coordinating of body parts as well as navigating around others in space and time in a group setting. These actions stimulate both cognitive and perceptual processes, providing benefits such as memory and building neural connections, as well as visualization of abstract patterns in space, and improving body and rhythmic awareness.
Social Benefits
The social engagement that is often a part of a group dance class indirectly supports mental health by building networks of support, fostering social engagement, all of which are essential during challenging periods for emerging adults. Dance has been shown to have positive psychosocial impacts, involving reduced reliance on their mobile devices and increased confidence.
In summary, there is a spectrum of benefits from pursuing dance of any kind. You do not have to be an expert to benefit from it; you only need to get up and start moving your body!