Science has proven that dancing is a fountain of youth! A study conducted by Dr. Kathrin Rehfeld at the German Center for Degenerative Diseases has shown that regular dancing can reverse signs of Alzheimer's in individuals over the age of 68!
We already know that physical exercise improves health and prevents aging in general, but this study compared the effects of exercise training to dancing. The practice of dancing had a much greater impact on reversing neuronal degeneration. Do you know why?
Because dancing is creative, it stimulates more areas of the brain than repetitive movements, and it enhances overall well-being! In this study, people were encouraged to dance to different rhythms each time and explore new movements as a way to trigger new information in the brain!
Free dance is medicine for the body, mind, and soul, as it connects us to the fluid, vibrant, pulsating field. Our brain can recognize this and send signals of vitality and longevity to our body!
Scientific evidence, however, is only an additional motivation to return to the habit of dancing, which was much more prevalent in our ancient cultures worldwide. Those who dance can experience the benefits of this art, therapy, or sport in their own bodies, regardless of the purpose of their practice.
If you want to have your own experience but still feel shy, you can start in your own home with your favorite music. Gradually, you can vary the rhythms and dare to dance to songs that you don't know or aren't sure if you even like, allowing your body to choose spontaneous movements. The more freedom we give our bodies to move, instead of repeating known and conditioned movements, the greater the therapeutic and rejuvenating potential of dance.
Our bodies have over 500 muscles with different qualities and specificities that allow us infinite qualities of movement in different combinations of intensity, rhythm, angle, and geometric figures. When we dance freely, an infinite range of possibilities to explore time and space opens up, and with that, our creative capacity expands as well. With more creativity, we also increase our self-esteem and joy of living.
Another mental health benefit that science has already demonstrated is that dance brings the opportunity for socialization. Studies conducted in Argentina with tango and outdoor dancers have shown that interaction with others during movement increases regenerative capacity, balance, and self-confidence.
When we share dance, whether it's dancing together or even in a living room, we also develop the ability to open ourselves to others, and this process allows us to break free from certain prisons. When we allow ourselves the freedom of movement in the presence of others, we let go of shyness, fears, and concerns about self-image and judgment. This practice strengthens our confidence and self-esteem, making us more spontaneous and lighthearted, more willing and creative in the face of life's challenges, contrary to the old idea that control and pragmatism are what best prepare someone to face their challenges. If you have already taken your first step and allowed yourself to dance in your own company, how about taking the second step and sharing your free-moving body with us? Of course, if you have never danced before, you are also welcome to join Transdance with a cacao ceremony. If you still need more motivation to dance, you can read another post here about the benefits of dance for the health of both the body and mind.
Sources:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-08-reverse-aging-brain.html Dancing can reverse the signs of aging in the brain.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09638280903247905 Effects of dance on balance and gait in severe Parkinson disease: A case study .
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0965229908001441 Short duration, intensive tango dancing for Parkinson disease: An uncontrolled pilot study
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1471301211429753 Introducing a Latin ballroom dance class to people with dementia living in care homes, benefits and concerns: A pilot study.
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