Dance is a universal language and when we join together in making dances, we share in elevating our voice beyond just the spoken and written word.

Older adults who practice dancing have improved gait and show significant improvement on standard physical fitness tests. (Source: Verghese et al (2006) J. Am. Geriatr. Soc doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2006.00808.x ; Rodríguez and Paris-Garcia (2022) Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health.)

Underactivity is a confirmed, modifiable risk factor for dementia (>85% of older people do not meet recommendations regarding physical activity). (Source: Harrison et al (2020) J. Primary Care & Community Health; WHO, Physical activity (2022).)

Older people who took part in dance classes experienced improved mood, which resulted in a reduced need for depression medications. Engaging in dance involves mirroring. Mirroring results in synchronous engagement of brain areas associated with empathy. (Source: Vankova (2014) JAMDA; Ellingsen et al (2020) Science Advances).

Older adults who engage in moderate aerobic dance activity show activation in networks of the brain that support memory. (Source: Sinha (2021) Neurobiology of Learning & Memory.)