Injured, Lying on the Floor
Just days before the spring show, my daughter found herself unable to walk, let alone dance.
She’d suffered a hamstring rip because her dance teacher forced her leg too high, and her dreams of performing in the spring show were shattered. However, her remarkable perspective, spirit, and recovery taught me valuable lessons about the transformative effects of dance.
Resiliency
Surprisingly, instead of succumbing to disappointment, my daughter showed great resilience. She recognized the intrinsic value of the lead-up process—learning, improving, and connecting with friends.
Her wisdom alongside the outpouring of love from her dance friends in the form of banners and care baskets left me a tearful, sobbing mess. I felt the power of the dance community; it was a defining moment for us both.
But Without Dance…
As the weeks went by and she could not exercise, my daughter’s temperament shifted. I was afraid this cranky was the new normal, but after months of recovery, she stepped back into the dance studio. The transformation was immediate—her mood improved, and she was back to her kind, patient self.
Scientifically Proven Positive Effects of Dance
Research abounds on dance’s impact. It boosts mood, sparks creativity, and connects people. While these positive outcomes fade faster than we’d like, the good news is dance is a habit easily formed because it’s fun and offers progressive learning. Dance weaves a timeless thread, connecting us to an echo of ancient rhythms and movements. I like to discuss the four dimensions of dance: a harmonious blend of the musical, physical, mental, and social.
Our bodies crave movement and are wired for motion. Movement is not just physical; it’s essential for mental well-being. And while any physical activity reduces the risk of mental health disorders, dance stands out as the ultimate form of exercise, particularly for reducing the effects of aging.
Benefits for Adults
Can I inspire you to step onto the dance floor?
People can live longer and more mobile lives with dance. Dance reverses mental disease and decline. You will have better balance and coordination and will be less likely to fall or be injured. You’ll be in a better mood and improve your posture, flexibility, agility, and breath control. Studies also show you’ll boost your immune system. These positive effects contribute to an increased quality of life, and folks who dance are less likely to experience depression.
A Sense of Accomplishment and Bonding
Witnessing students overcome their fears and support each other during recitals was awe-inspiring. I have pictures of recital groups, especially my adults, posted around my house. Their proud post-show smiles are heartwarming.
Dance isn’t just about individual steps; it encourages commitment to a collective effort. It’s an accessible social activity that fosters connections beyond the dance floor. Many of my dancers still get together every month or so even though I haven’t taught since Covid, and I join them when I can. While I feel guilty because I am not teaching anymore, I know they forgive me for dedicating all my time to my mission of bringing dance joy to a generation of young readers through our dance books.
The Endorphin Boost – Just Do It!
When a body dances, it releases endorphins—feel-good messages. These neurotransmitters reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. That helps us build the habit IF we can get off the couch.
Or Else!
Lockdown and an increase in screen use displaced exercise and in-person activity. These are vital to healthy development. We all got way too used to sitting in our houses and phoning/zooming it in.
The surgeon general has declared loneliness a public health epidemic (cbsnews.com) and calls mental health “the defining public health crisis of our time.” Statistics are alarming, and I see this reflected anecdotally: “From 2001 to 2019, the suicide rate for Americans ages 10 to 19 rose 40 percent, and emergency visits related to self-harm rose 88 percent.” (New York Times, “Physical Fitness Linked to Better Mental Health in Young People”)
We have so much to lose and everything to gain.
Dancing Bliss
Many dancers echo the sentiment “My dance studio was my second home, a sanctuary where I shared joy, settled into the music, forgot about the outside world, and experienced bliss.”
For shy individuals, dance becomes a powerful means of self-expression. Dance helps process and release trauma, offering a pathway to healing. It gives purpose and ignites creativity. Politics are pushed aside, and there is solidarity in the dance spaces.
Kids Do Better at School: What the Research Tells Us
Dancing correlates with better grades, improved memory, heightened attention, and enhanced comprehension skills.
It creates new neural pathways, enhances coordination, strengthens hearts, lungs, and bones, and improves posture, flexibility, and agility.
Dance uplifts mood and reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. It fosters empathy and understanding of others’ perspectives. Dance provides a safe space for processing emotions. Whether it’s joy, frustration, or sadness, the dance floor becomes a canvas for expression. And we know it translates to happiness and self-esteem that has a direct correlation to student success.
Let’s All Dance!
Dance is a holistic experience that nourishes mind, body, and soul. Whether you’re pirouetting in a studio or letting loose in your living room, dance weaves its joyful web.
Let dance improve your mental clarity, leave you feeling more hopeful, and connect you with smiling strangers. The first class will be rough; please be sure to try a few classes to get the hang of the structure and patterns.
Take that first step—try a few classes, feel the music, and let your heart dance. Get the whole family involved, and you’ll share memories, life lessons, and lasting bonds.
The Sacred Balinese “Fire Horse” Dance: Sanghyang Jaran Dance(Opens in a new browser tab)
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Teacher Terrel taught dance for decades before her Covid pivot toward creating dance books for young readers. She’s Seattle’s biggest dance fan, sits on the board of Pacific Northwest Ballet, and has created the Once Upon a Dance catalog for the love of dance and a dream to empower young dancers. Truly a passion project, all royalties this decade go to charity partners supporting dance, animals, the environment, and people.For tips on your child’s first dance class, visit www.onceuponadance.com/ready-set-dance, and to share the joy of dance at home, visit www.onceuponadance.com/resources.