The Psychology of Dance

Introduction

• Presenter: Tanya Cushman
• Focus: Exploring the psychology behind dance.
• Key Questions:
  • Why do we dance?
  • How do we communicate through dance?

Warm-Up Activity

• Purpose: Engage the audience in feeling the groove of music.
• Activities:
  • Shake hands and shoulders.
  • Dance to music while seated and then standing.

Importance of Dance

• Investigation into the function of dancing.
• Parkinson’s Disease Study at the University of Hertfordshire:
  • Found that dance has a positive impact on physical and psychological conditions of Parkinson’s patients.
  • Recreational dance reduces some symptoms (e.g., balance and mobility).
  • Improvement in mood and quality of life for participants.
  • Focused on various dance styles including contact improvisation and party dancing.

Benefits of Dancing

• Three Key Elements:
  1. Social Interaction: Studies indicate socially engaged people are less likely to develop dementia.
  2. Physical Activity: Exercise helps in brain health; study shows hippocampus growth in those engaged in regular physical activity.
  3. Cognitive Engagement: Learning and problem-solving in dance can enhance brain function, especially memory and spatial awareness.

Practical Demonstrations

1. Social Element Activity:
   • Boogie with right hand, clap, and engage with others.
   • Mexican wave as an example of social interaction.
2. Physical Element Activity:
   • March forward and backward, incorporating claps and turns.
   • Demonstrates importance of physical movement in dance.
3. Cognitive Element Activity:
   • Right foot heel forward, clap, and use spatial awareness.
   • Engage in memory work with coordinated steps and dance moves.

Conclusion

• Dance needs social, physical, and cognitive elements for health benefits.
• Final dance involving audience participation of all elements demonstrated.

Key Takeaway

• Dance not only improves physical health but also enhances social interaction and cognitive function.
• Encouragement for everyone to engage in dance for its holistic benefits.

Closing

• Final dance performance involving audience participation.
• Acknowledgment and appreciation for audience involvement.