Dance for the Brain – The Benefits of Dance at Every Age

Much of what young children do as play – singing, drawing, dancing – are natural forms of art. These art activities engage all the senses and wire the brain for successful learning. The arts play an important role in human development, enhancing the growth of cognitive, emotional, and psychomotor pathways. Neuroscience research reveals the impressive impact of arts instruction, such as, music, drawing and physical activity, on students’ cognitive, social and emotional development.

Dance Improves Brain Function on a Variety of Levels

Two recent studies show how different types of practice allow dancers to achieve peak performance by blending cerebral and cognitive thought processes with muscle memory and ‘proprioception’ held in the cerebellum. ‘Proprioception’ is a term that refers to the ability for someone to determine the orientation of their arm or leg in the air.

Dance improves brain function in younger people, older people and all ages in between.

The combination of visual, aural, memory, motor and cognitive skills make the brain create new neural pathways, resulting in improved neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the process where the brain reorganizes itself. The process allows nerve cells in the brain to compensate for injury and disease. It is the brains response to new situations or changes in its environment.

The Positive Effects of Dance and Movement

In “Dance for the Brain”, Rebecca Kelly explains the positive effects dance and movement have on brain development, and how it prolongs healthy brain activity in the older years. “Dance for the Brain” reflects on what produces the best learning environment, how and why learning is accomplished, and how an atmosphere of enthusiasm and optimism coupled with imitation and repetition builds and produces confidence and joy.

About: Rebecca Kelly, is the Choreographer of Rebecca Kelly Ballet and Artistic Director of the Tahawus Cultural Center. Rebecca Kelly grew up in England, the Sudan, and Washington, DC. She trained at the School of Washington Ballet while at Sidwell Friends High School. Rebecca is a 1973 graduate of Bryn Mawr College. In 1979 Ms. Kelly co-founded Rebecca Kelly Ballet in New York City with husband and dance partner Craig Brashear. With a repertory of over 80 modern and ballet works, Kelly’s choreography has been commissioned by the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, The Carlisle Project, Ballet Pacifica, Festival of the Lakes, Boston Ballet II and the North Country Ballet Ensemble (NCBE). Rebecca is well known for environmentally themed works, which have been highlighted by the Adirondack Council, and featured in four programs on Mountain Lake PBS-TV. Aspiring to the world of ballet requires an undaunted vision, a keen desire to reach for something elementally human. To learn more about Rebecca Kelly Ballet: rebeccakellyballet.com