Dancing Is the Best Medicine – Why It Makes Us Healthier, Smarter and Happier by Julia F. Christensen and Dong-Seon Chang explores why humans dance and how dancing is connected with the body, brain, emotions, health, and social relationships.
The book begins with rhythm and solo dancing, then moves into partner and group dancing. The authors examine how music, movement, body awareness, and interaction work together, including topics such as choosing a partner, leading and following, teamwork, and the sense of belonging created through dance.
A substantial part of the book focuses on the relationship between dance and physical health. Topics include the heart and immune system, the back and joints, body awareness, and weight management. The authors also explore dance in connection with emotions, stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as the therapeutic potential of movement and dancing.
Another section looks at dancing throughout different stages of life, including dancing with children and the role of dance in relation to dementia and Parkinson’s disease. The final chapters broaden the discussion to social connection, integration and acceptance, watching dance, and choosing a dance style that suits the individual.
Combining perspectives on dance, health, psychology, movement, and human interaction, Dancing Is the Best Medicine is an engaging resource for dancers and anyone interested in understanding why dancing can play such an important role in our lives.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1 – Solo Dance: The Rhythm I Have to Move To
- The Success Story of Dance
- Magical Rhythm
- Dancing Is in Our Nature
- Graduation Ball
- Pony Farm Dance
Chapter 2 – Partner Dance: Do You Speak Dance?
- Something in the Way She Moves
- Dance in the Mirror
- May I Have This Dance?
- Finding a Partner
- Leading and Being Led
Chapter 3 – Group Dance: Dancing Brings Joy and Friends
- Dancing for a Sense of “We”
- Moving with the Times
- Team Spirit
Chapter 4 – Dancing for Our Body: Dance as an Elixir of Life
- I Like to Move It, Move It!
- A Very Special Nerve
- Music in Our Head
- Body Awareness
- Dancing Makes You Smart
Chapter 5 – Dancing Is Healthy: Dancing Instead of Pills
- Heart and Immune Effects
- Back and Joints
- Weight Loss
Chapter 6 – Dance as Therapy: Dancing on Prescription
- Dancing Emotions
- Dancing Away Your Inner Resistance
- Stress
- Against Anxiety
- Depression: Dance It Out!
- When a Sense Is Missing
Chapter 7 – Young & Old: Dancing at Every Age
- Dancing Against Forgetfulness: Dementia
- Parkinson’s
- Dancing with Children
Chapter 8 – And Dance Can Do Even More
- This Is Also About Sex
- Getting to Know Each Other
- Dance as a Spectator
- Integration and Acceptance
- Let’s Dance
Chapter 9 – The Dance Test: Which Dance Style Suits Me?
- It Has to Fit!
- Checklist: What Do You Need for a Dance Class?
- Shall We Dance?
- Acknowledgements
- References
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