Dance is an integral part of the human experience. Babies often learn to jiggle to music before they learn to walk. There are dance styles specific to all cultures and it is a mode of expression that has always been used! But do we really know all its benefits?
While each year, the month of January is an opportunity to demystify mental health, it is more than necessary to recognize dance as a solution to many social issues.
At Prima Danse, we have been using dance for more than ten years as a means of social intervention to help people, especially those from vulnerable populations, to feel better in their bodies, but also in their minds.
A children’s game
The mental health of children and young people is more fragile than ever. The pandemic context has only exacerbated realities already present everywhere in Quebec. Performance anxiety, inactivity and increased screen time, psychological distress and lack of self-esteem are part of the daily lives of many young Quebecers. Dance is an extraordinary tool to help them overcome these challenges! By dancing with their peers, in a fun and non-judgmental way, with trusted speakers, they are able to develop many skills and open up to others.
Thus, Prima Danse workers have a front row seat to see the benefits of dance for children and adolescents during workshops in schools or communities.
Dance allows young people to work on several aspects of themselves, such as self-affirmation and acceptance of others, openness to the world and the development of critical thinking. Being a non-verbal language directly related to the management of emotions, it allows introspection to bring out feelings, whether negative or positive, through music and movement.
It is also a perfect opportunity to discuss a host of social issues as a group such as gender stereotypes, the representation of sexuality in the media, social inclusion, racism, homophobia, violence prevention and bullying awareness.
aging while dancing
Dancing also has a thousand and one benefits for adults, especially for seniors. Obviously, this practice allows them to move, which is a key element in keeping them active and independent, but it is also an excellent vehicle for socialization. Dance makes it possible to break the isolation that too often leads to mental health problems, by giving a unique opportunity to exchange with others, while developing new bonds of belonging through music, rhythm and the body. .
Finding the right words to express our emotions, our loneliness or our worries is not easy. It can be more effective to let our bodies do the talking, and everyone should have the opportunity.
As the need for intervention grows and access to resources is limited, let’s think about the different alternatives available to us. In a world where we no longer have time to take the time, let’s collectively bet on multifaceted initiatives that develop communities and allow young and old to be healthier, both physically and mentally. And to face the music, the happiest as well as the saddest, let’s dance!
Photo courtesy, Motus Créatif
Katrina Journeau, Co-founder of Prima Danse