Dance- a pathway to Eudaimonia; a life well-lived

Written By Meral .

The aesthetic value of dance is just one of the multi-faceted gifts that it provides. The richness that can be added to one’s life through dance is in abundance. To name a few:

  • Connection

  • Confidence 

  • Accomplishment

  • Empowerment 

  • Freedom 

  • Joy 

  • Energy

  • Resilience

The extended pleasure cycle that is induced in individuals through dance can evoke sustained periods of positive emotion. It is no surprise that this may in fact be one of the reasons for the desire for one to continue. For many making dance their life.  A direction for freedom, purpose and pleasure.  

Neuroaesthetics is the scientific study of how the brain perceives, processes, and responds to artistic experiences. When applied to dance, it explores what happens in the brain and body when we watch, perform, or create movement. Moreover, dance is multi-sensory. An aesthetic experience using the whole brain. Including:  

  • Visual processing motor and premotor systems

  • Emotion and reward circuits

  • Timing and rhythm networks

  • Memory

Observing and participating in dance has fascinating contributions to activity in our brain. For the short term and in the long term. For instance, if you have ever felt moved while watching a dance one of the reasons is because your motor cortex subtly activates. It communicates as if you were performing the movements yourself.  This embodied simulation can enhance, empathy, emotional resonance, aesthetic pleasure and understanding of intention. Moreover there is the aspect of emotional contagion, so catching what the sentiment that the dancer is experiencing and expressing. 

Welcoming flow states is another aspect that is brought to us through dance (known to enhance wellbeing and to promote psychological resilience). Flow states reduce activity in regions linked to activating stress. Emotional movement can also modulate autonomic systems (heart rate, breath, vagal tone), again all contributing to promoting wellbeing and in many ways regulating our nervous system. And who does not want a regulated nervous system?!

Some questions you may want to reflect on and share-

-Would you like to make dance more of your life?

-If you already dance, what does dance do for you?

-If you do not dance yet what do you anticipate it doing for you?

-What would you like it to do?


Meral .
Previous

November Nuggets