Dance Therapy
Yiasas,
I’m so thrilled you dropped by for some dance inspiration.
We are in the middle of the Buzz for Longevity: Paths to Renewal Series. Thus far, we have covered pertinent and powerful methods to holistically support your wellness.
There is one method I bet you never thought could be therapeutic and this is our topic today: DANCE THERAPY.
Did you know that the movement of dance with your body is scientifically proven to be beneficial to your health.
A 2003 study in the New England Journal of Medicine by researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine discovered that dance can improve brain health.
Researchers looked at the effects of 11 different types of physical activity, including cycling, golf, swimming, and tennis, but found that only one of the activities studied- dance – lowered participants risk of dementia. According to these researchers, dancing involves both a mental effort and social interaction. This is a bonus on top of something that calls us to have fun.
Ultimately, people dance because it just feels good. It’s not age discriminatory. Babies all the way to a senior can tap those feet and shake their hips.
As a matter of fact, when I was a teenager, a hundred years ago, I used to wear this pin that said, “Shut Up and Dance!”
Dancing always kefi-nated me and elevated me to a place of sheer joy, and certainly I did not lean on any one dance as the only one to get moving rhythmically. I loved tap, jazz, hip hop, tango and salsa; however I did have a zeal for the traditional dances of Greece.
Dance was and remains an extension of my Greek culture. While I did participate in Greek dance competitions,
I also leisurely danced the Pentonzali, Tsamiko and Syrtaki with my father Tasso and sister Stacie at my parent’s restaurant Tasso’s in Kansas City, Missouri.
For the guests it was entertainment, for me it was an opportunity to live in a place of deep meaning and keep my heritage alive.
Consider the Pentozali. The moves of this Cretan war dance are vigorous with five for “pente” and zalos (step) meaning five steps. Traditionally done by men, the dance is executed with five steps or zalos and performed with high jumps and fast footwork to represent unity and spirit.
Today the Pentozali is more universal enjoyed by men, women and children because of the exuberant feeling it brings during the dance.
THE FEELING:
Music and moves have always freed my mind and elevated my spirits.
Moving to rhythm changes something inside of us. Science demonstrates that dance is one of the most powerful ways to enhance both mind and body. Like the Harvard study, the data reports that dance of any form can lift your mood, strengthen memory, sharpen thinking and protect the brain from declining.
DANCE IS COMMUNICATION.
Recently during a trip to Hawaii, our family attended the Old Lahina Luau - the oldest and most authentic luau on Maui Island. This experience was graceful, expressive, engaging and captivating to watch. The dance of Hawaii is telling because each move is a snapshot of the people’s land and lifestyle. You can learn more about it when you check out this week’s Kefi Life Podcast episode- 211.
In the meantime, thank you to Kona for the enthusiastic explanation of it all.
Friend, you are sure to be intrigued with the Luau, but really any dance is good for the soul.
As you travel though life, never hesitate to take a minute, raise your arms, pick up your feet and start to shake that body for that OLA KALA -all is well state of mind.
Join me next time - January 1st, 2026 for the continuation of the Buzz for Longevity: Paths to Renewal Series featuring accomplished Greek composer and pianist Eugenia Manolidou. Eugenia and I share a significant conversation about the health advantages of music.
For now, so long and sending you filakia kisses.
Kiki