Moving The Body, Transforming The Mind: The Psychology Of Dance

Last year I wrote a popular post for Forbes on the eye-opening psychological benefits of aerobic exercise. That article speculated that vigorous exercise may improve mood and reduce stress in ways similar to psychotherapy: by providing fresh experiences of the self. When runners or weightlifters challenge and extend their limits, theirs is a powerful psychological experience, not just a purely physical one.

Could it be the case that other forms of physical movement serve as portals for emotional and cognitive change? It is worth noting that many people who engage in aerobic exercise—from jogging to hot yoga—do so with musical accompaniment. Consider the role of music and dance in worship across cultures, in major life-cycle events such as weddings, and in parties. The popular Jewish singer/composer Ari Goldwag recently released the song Lo Nafsik Lirkod (Never Stop Dancing), which links dancing to experiences of joy, gratitude, and “the sky is the limit”. Similar perspectives can be found in the praise dancing within African American and Pentecostal churches, the cham dance of Tibetan Buddhism, and the ritual dances in Hindu cultures. Dance becomes a means of connecting to broader meanings and deeper emotional experiences—particularly ones associated with positivity. It is not coincidence that we commonly find dance at wedding, not funeral, receptions.

Christopher Bergland cites evidence that dancing is good for the brain, observing that professional dance requires high levels of cognitive development as well as physical training. He reviews studies in the neuroscience of dance and concludes that dance-based movement can help synchronize people with one another, lessen depression, and improve quality of life. There is also evidence from dancer/psychologist Peter Lovett that dancing improves creativity and even reading skills. A review of research and practice from the Harvard Medical School finds that dancing also provides movement-based therapy for those with Parkinson’s disease; similar benefits, interestingly, are found with the Chinese martial art, tai chi.

What if the most effective way to instill a change in mindset is to immerse ourselves in its corresponding physical expression? Might it be the case that meditation is effective because it uses extreme physical and mental stillness to cultivate a quieting of the mind? An effective treatment for depression is known as behavioral activation. Pursuing meaningful activities breaks the cycle of negativity and disengagement common in depression. How we utilize the body creates potentially novel and constructive experiences for the mind and brain. A promising avenue of development for performance-oriented professionals is to translate psychological goals into movement routines that cultivate the mindsets associated with those goals. Thus, for example, if I wish to become a more disciplined trader in financial markets, learning a form of dance that requires exquisite control could provide a rapid and powerful path to my goals. Similarly, if I am looking to become a more confident and energized risk-taker in markets, I might pursue high intensity interval training or synchronize challenging workout routines to music that is particularly upbeat and uplifting.

In a very important sense, all intentional movement can be transformed into dance. By placing the body in unique states, we create pathways for fresh mindsets. Perhaps the best way to achieve our ideals is to first cultivate them physically.