Triveni Goswami Vernal
Registered Special Educator (CRR A64010)

Dance is so much more than a mere activity of leisure—one that has innumerable benefits for mental, physical and emotional health. I have always admired people who can dance. I think it is one of most “freeing” activities one can engage in—to move your body to a rhythm, to any kind of music –to feel truly alive.

If one has two left feet, like I do, when it comes to dancing, then it can be a bit of a challenge, but nothing that is not conquerable. As part of my weekly workout routine, I attend 3 classes of dance in a week (in Cult.Fit) and all I can say about the experience, is that, it is very enjoyable. Theres a lot of positive energy and it gives you the boost that is required to get on, with the rest of the day. It helps that no one judges you for not dancing well 😊. Dancing also introduces us to a wide range of music across all genres and in all languages. Theres regional music, popular /mass hits with hook steps, Bollywood /Tollywood, Latin American, African …you name it, and its all there. 

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE DANCE?
Other than the sheer joy that dance can bring to an individual, it also has several benefits—
1) Improves Eye-Hand Coordination: Dance can do wonders for your eye-hand coordination, especially if you have to follow the steps of a dance trainer, during the class.

2) Improves Cognitive Functioning: Dancing engages various cognitive functions such as attention, memory (the muscle memory for the steps in a particular dance), executive functions (such as cognitive flexibility, adaptation, sequencing, problem solving etc).

3) Integrates Sensory & Motor inputs: Integration of music and motor movements of the body, can help the brain to plan and execute, actions better.

4) Release of Neurotransmitters: Dance can stimulate the release of Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin and Endorphins, neurotransmitters that can uplift the mood, reduce stress and can have therapeutic effects. 

5) Improving Social Connections: Dancing with a group can lead to improved social bonding and feelings of interconnectedness.

Dance can be a lot of fun and group workouts can be the boost that you need for your emotional and mental health. In my next blog, I will shed light on Dance and Movement Therapy.

I would like to thank M. Vineeth, the dance trainer at Cult.Fit Begumpet, for making dance enjoyable!
References:
https://hms.harvard.edu/news-events/publications-archive/brain/dancing-brain#
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11127814/
https://thelewisfoundation.org/2023/07/the-dancing-brain-the-cognitive-effects-of-dance/
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Author Dr.Triveni Goswami Vernal

Dr.Triveni Goswami Vernal is a Registered Special Educator (CRR: A64010), a Psychologist and an Expressive Arts Therapy Practitioner (UNESCO-CID). She is an Avaz Certified Educator and Certified in Dyslexia Teacher Training. She is also an art educator for children with additional needs.

“Red Poppies”
Acrylic Painting and Acrylic Marker pens on Watercolour Paper
Kabir Vernal