I saw an 80-year-old woman dance Flamenco. Her rhythm and
control of her muscles were amazing. Afterward, I asked her how long
she had been dancing, and she said over 50 years. She said that it
kept her active in her body but also her mind. Social contact was just
as important as the dance itself. She said that one of the worst times
of her life was during Covid when everything was canceled, and she
couldn't meet her friends or perform.
A search of the web led me to studies about dancing and wellness.
Helena Blumen, assistant professor in the department of medicine at
Albert Einstein Medical College, has studied wellness and dance in
older adults. Her study asked a group of older adults to either walk on
a treadmill or take a social dance class (Blumen, 2020). Her theory is
that dance is three-dimensional; the body and the brain must solve
problems. Choreography is problem-solving, and dance requires
discipline, both of which provide focus to older adults. The social
aspect, often missing in solo exercise, helps sharpen the brain., Blume
theorizes that "the social nature of dancing—working with a partner,
as well as the intellectual skills required to learn steps and think about
connecting different movements—could contribute to these benefits"
(Blumen, 2020).
The social message
Dance is a non-verbal expression of emotion. It can teach us much
about how to communicate with others. It teaches teamwork; even in
a seemingly partnerless dance like Flamenco, the dancer has to work
in tandem with the musicians. The footwork, hand clapping, and
finger clicking provides part of that music; they must be aligned.
Dance gives self-confidence, which spreads to other parts of the
dancer's life and can lead to life changes. In fact, dance can be a part
of improving several areas of the SAMHSA’s Eight Dimensions of
Wellness. In the case of the lady dancing Flamenco, it provided a not
only physical and mental health but also financial in the form of extra
money earned.
Social Implications.
The social implications would be a healthier and happier population.
TV dance shows have increased interest in learning to dance. Dancing
With the Stars is one example, where non dancers are seen to
improve from one week to another. Dance encourages discipline,
which can be taken to other areas of one's life. Discipline in excercise
and healthy eating for example. Dance shows also encourage interest
in dances from other cultures, such as Bollywood dancing and
Flamenco. This widening of cultural knowledge is a wonderful way of
expanding the mind and improving a social wellness. Dance also
encourages an interest in history. The Flamenco for example has a
long and complicated history, loved by some, detested by others.
UNESCO has recognized it as part of The Worlds Intangible Cultural
Heritage, (Holguin, 2019)
Blumen, H. M., Ayers, E., Wang, C., Ambrose, A. F., & Verghese, J.
(2020). A social dancing pilot intervention for older adults at high risk
for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Neurodegenerative
disease management
,
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(4), 183–194. https://doi.org/10.2217/nmt-
2020-0002
Holguin, S (2019) The Complicated History of Flamenco in Spain,
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/complicated-history-
flamenco-spain-180973398oancial
Edins-Shaffer, D., (Executive Producers). (2021). Dancing With The
Stars [TV series]. BBC Studios, Los Angeles.
Samhsa, Eight Dimensions of Wellness. (2006) retrieved July 21st,
2020
http://www.ncdsv.org/images/SAMHSA_EightDimensionsOfWellnes
s_revised2012.pdf
