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Dancing Is The Best Medicine: The Science of How Moving to a Beat Is Good for Body, Brain, and Soul
Discover why humans were designed for dancing––and learn how to boogie for better health––in this fascinating book about the mental and physical benefits of dance.
Dancing is one of the best things we can do for our health. In this groundbreaking and fun-to-read book, two neuroscientists (who are also competitive dancers) draw on their cutting-edge research to reveal why humans are hardwired for dance show how to achieve optimal health through dancing.
Taking readers on an in-depth exploration of movement and music, from early humans up until today, the authors show the proven benefits of dance for our heart, lungs, bones, nervous system, and brain. Readers will come away with a wide range of dances to try and a scientific understanding of how dance benefits almost every aspect of our lives.
• Dance prevents and manages illness and pain: such as Diabetes, arthritis, back pain, and Parkinson’s.
• Dance can be as effective as high intensity interval training: but without the strain on your joints and heart.
• Dance boosts immunity and lowers stress: it also helps reduce inflammation.
• Dance positively impacts the microbiome: and aids in digestion, weight loss, and digestive issues such as IBS.
• Dance bolsters the mind-body connection: helping us get in tune with our bodies for better overall health.
We’re lucky that one of the best things we can do for our health is also one of the most fun. And the best part: dance is something anyone can do. Old or young, injured or experiencing chronic pain, dance is for everyone, everywhere.
So, let’s dance!
Types of dance featured in the book:
• Partner dance (salsa, swing dancing, waltz)
• Ballet
• Hip hop
• Modern
• Jazz
• Line dancing
• Tap dancing
And more!
Dancing is one of the best things we can do for our health. In this groundbreaking and fun-to-read book, two neuroscientists (who are also competitive dancers) draw on their cutting-edge research to reveal why humans are hardwired for dance show how to achieve optimal health through dancing.
Taking readers on an in-depth exploration of movement and music, from early humans up until today, the authors show the proven benefits of dance for our heart, lungs, bones, nervous system, and brain. Readers will come away with a wide range of dances to try and a scientific understanding of how dance benefits almost every aspect of our lives.
• Dance prevents and manages illness and pain: such as Diabetes, arthritis, back pain, and Parkinson’s.
• Dance can be as effective as high intensity interval training: but without the strain on your joints and heart.
• Dance boosts immunity and lowers stress: it also helps reduce inflammation.
• Dance positively impacts the microbiome: and aids in digestion, weight loss, and digestive issues such as IBS.
• Dance bolsters the mind-body connection: helping us get in tune with our bodies for better overall health.
We’re lucky that one of the best things we can do for our health is also one of the most fun. And the best part: dance is something anyone can do. Old or young, injured or experiencing chronic pain, dance is for everyone, everywhere.
So, let’s dance!
Types of dance featured in the book:
• Partner dance (salsa, swing dancing, waltz)
• Ballet
• Hip hop
• Modern
• Jazz
• Line dancing
• Tap dancing
And more!
328 pages, Paperback
Published October 26, 2021
32 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 14, 2023
One of my goals for 2023 and 2024 is to pick up more non-fiction books. I stumbled into Indie Bookstore day as an excited shopper knowing she was going to buy FAAAAARRRRR too many books. I did! My TBR is sad, my inner reader is excited! Dancing is the Best Medicine was one of my finds (and a $2 find at that! SCORE!). My local indie bookstore's shelves were raided and I acquired many more indie or not often rated/reviewed set of books.
Dancing is the Best Medicine is a fantastic non-fiction read that breaks down the science on why dancing is good for us. From mental to physical and even sexual, dancing is an all around great exercise that can connect people across the world with different languages. Reading two neuroscientists research and findings on dancing was SUPER cool! I adore research, so this book was great. Luckily, this book isn't boring. It's written in a highly engaging tone that will make readers not feel like they are reading a textbook.
Overall, a must read and highly recommended book from my shelf!
Five out of five stars.
Dancing is the Best Medicine is a fantastic non-fiction read that breaks down the science on why dancing is good for us. From mental to physical and even sexual, dancing is an all around great exercise that can connect people across the world with different languages. Reading two neuroscientists research and findings on dancing was SUPER cool! I adore research, so this book was great. Luckily, this book isn't boring. It's written in a highly engaging tone that will make readers not feel like they are reading a textbook.
Overall, a must read and highly recommended book from my shelf!
Five out of five stars.
May 11, 2023
This was pretty good —generally interesting, had some fun anecdotes. However, I could have done without the chapter on using dance for weight loss 🙄
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August 7, 2022More so than ever before, we are being told of ways to live longer. There have been more books and advice from professionals on ways to find a healthier life as well, in terms of better brain activity, and the ability to get around. In a popular song, David Bowie simply advised, “Let’s Dance,” which should be a sort of mantra for many.
In their book DANCING IS THE BEST MEDICINE, Julia Christensen and Dong-Seon Chang, have combined to create a book that should get us off our seat and onto our feet. The book is easy to read, and just as easy to understand, with the bottom line that whatever type of dance we choose, it can help the mind, body, and soul in more ways than we ever realized.
Dancing can assist us in so many ways that it is mind-boggling. It can assist us in dozens of ways, that can range from assisting us in problem solving skills, to being an activity that can slow down the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s.
Let’s be honest. When people go to weddings and after the ceremony and the dinner, the dancing part is where people often get ready to let loose. It gives them a feeling of belonging, fitting in with the rest of the people in the room. Does it really matter that you could have the proverbial two left feet? Of course not, just getting out on the dance floor and moving and grooving to whatever music is being played, gives one a sense of self satisfaction and accomplishment.
Within the pages of the book, the authors look at many studies that have been done about the effects of dancing, and they are most eye-opening. Some studies have shown that they improve the body’s stress response. As well in another study, it was found that dancing reduced Alzheimer’s in one group by 76 percent. Even Parkinson’s Disease can be delayed as well with the act of dancing. Dancing can make the body healthier as some have found, that once they danced they got slimmer, and it helped their joints move better as they matured. At the back of the book is a guide to all the types of dance, where you can select one according to your comfort and skill levels, as well as according to your age and interest.
So take a chance and dance, in fact walk or dance right to the store and pick up this most entertaining book.
In their book DANCING IS THE BEST MEDICINE, Julia Christensen and Dong-Seon Chang, have combined to create a book that should get us off our seat and onto our feet. The book is easy to read, and just as easy to understand, with the bottom line that whatever type of dance we choose, it can help the mind, body, and soul in more ways than we ever realized.
Dancing can assist us in so many ways that it is mind-boggling. It can assist us in dozens of ways, that can range from assisting us in problem solving skills, to being an activity that can slow down the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s.
Let’s be honest. When people go to weddings and after the ceremony and the dinner, the dancing part is where people often get ready to let loose. It gives them a feeling of belonging, fitting in with the rest of the people in the room. Does it really matter that you could have the proverbial two left feet? Of course not, just getting out on the dance floor and moving and grooving to whatever music is being played, gives one a sense of self satisfaction and accomplishment.
Within the pages of the book, the authors look at many studies that have been done about the effects of dancing, and they are most eye-opening. Some studies have shown that they improve the body’s stress response. As well in another study, it was found that dancing reduced Alzheimer’s in one group by 76 percent. Even Parkinson’s Disease can be delayed as well with the act of dancing. Dancing can make the body healthier as some have found, that once they danced they got slimmer, and it helped their joints move better as they matured. At the back of the book is a guide to all the types of dance, where you can select one according to your comfort and skill levels, as well as according to your age and interest.
So take a chance and dance, in fact walk or dance right to the store and pick up this most entertaining book.
November 14, 2021
This book was written by two neuro-scientists which I found in itself a bit unusual as they study and research the subject instead of as practicing it as neurologists. The format covers their time at a neuro-conference in Greece where they attend heavy lectures and presentations by day, and party dancing like its 1999 at night to unwind.
The main premise is that dancing in all forms and in many ways is very very good for you. I could have guessed that myself but they go to great lengths and examples of how. So in that respect it is a very informative book covering everything and more under the sun as to why it so so great.
On the flipside you will not get much on the instruction side or the how to get past your awkwardness and or phobia; as in my case, how to get out there and bogey. The only advice seems to be just do it and get on with fulfilling your life. In other words, dance like no one is watching, even though we know all eyes are trained upon us, all the time. ;)
But in the end results, yes, they make their point dancing is very good medicine for not only our bodies but our psyche, if not our souls.
So for those interested in knowing all the whys and wherefores of how this comes about, this should be an fun and informative book. For me it was what I expected by the title itself.
The main premise is that dancing in all forms and in many ways is very very good for you. I could have guessed that myself but they go to great lengths and examples of how. So in that respect it is a very informative book covering everything and more under the sun as to why it so so great.
On the flipside you will not get much on the instruction side or the how to get past your awkwardness and or phobia; as in my case, how to get out there and bogey. The only advice seems to be just do it and get on with fulfilling your life. In other words, dance like no one is watching, even though we know all eyes are trained upon us, all the time. ;)
But in the end results, yes, they make their point dancing is very good medicine for not only our bodies but our psyche, if not our souls.
So for those interested in knowing all the whys and wherefores of how this comes about, this should be an fun and informative book. For me it was what I expected by the title itself.
February 27, 2023
it was really more geared toward non dancers which is why i didn’t enjoy it as much as i thought but the scientific aspect was interesting
December 9, 2023
A fairly comprehensive review of the benefits of dancing such as exercise, community building, positive impacts on health issues such as adhd, Parkinson’s; positive impacts on anxiety, aging and more. Written by neuroscientists and many references to scholarly articles. I wasn’t so big on the personal anecdotes but the survey of the impact of dance makes this a worthwhile read for anyone interested in dance or in ways to address a variety issues in which body movement might be of some help. Many references to Argentine Tango, West Coast Swing, and surprisingly, Zumba. Be prepared though, that there is a bit of ‘dance can solve or mitigate all problems’ They might be right.
April 22, 2022
I’d give it a 3.5. It starts very slowly and I hated the random author asides in the book. The true value comes when they talk about medical and therapeutic benefits of dance. The social history of dance chapters that preceded this (solo dance, partnered dance, group dance) was very clunky and poorly structured. They seem to reference some great sources that I’m intrigued to check out.
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December 28, 2023Pretty underwhelming.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews