Desktop	Tablet	Phone

Dancing for Health, the Evidence

Dr. Sam Waterling (25 minutes)

Published by: Dr. Waterling

In this video, Dr. Sam Waterling breaks down exactly why dancing is the most cognitively demanding physical activity a human can do — and what that means for your brain, your spine, and your joints. Six brain regions fire simultaneously: the basal ganglia, cerebellum, kinesthetic zone, auditory cortex, limbic system, and prefrontal cortex. The spine gets full mobilization from neck to sacrum. Hip rotation releases the chronically spasmed iliopsoas — one of the leading causes of lower back pain in adults who sit for a living. A PLOS ONE study from Northeastern University confirms dancing meets American Heart Association cardio guidelines: 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. Bone density decline slows by 20-30%. A single session drops cortisol by 25-40%.

Dancing triggers simultaneous release of dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins — the same combination antidepressants approximate, without side effects or withdrawal. York University showed Parkinson's patients who danced regularly improved concentration and daily function even as the disease progressed. Dance-movement therapy is now formally recognized in US and European clinical practice for depression, PTSD, and neurodegenerative disease.

Anna Duberg (17 minutes)

Published by: TEDx - April, 2023

Anna Duberg (PhD), is a physiotherapist and health sciences researcher from Örebro University in Sweden. She is recognized for her dedication to improving youth health and her research on the stress-reducing benefits of dance. Besides her work as a research supervisor and innovation coach at Region Örebro County, Anna has founded and developed the method “Dance for health.” In her talk, Anna shares her journey from research to reality, and highlights the importance of turning the trend of mental illness in youth. By sharing the key factors in Dance for Health-method ("joy of movement", "come as you are", "social inclusion" and "see what you have"), Anna gives inspiration on how dance can be a powerful tool to strengthen health, open up a new way of approaching life, and in the long run, make societal impact. Anna Duberg is a physiotherapist and researcher in Health Sciences at Örebro University, Sweden. Currently, she combines her work as a research supervisor and innovation coach with her own innovation “dance for health”: a dance initiative she developed to improve youth mental health and reduce stress through dancing. Today, this method is widely implemented across Sweden as a cost-effective complement to school health care and has touched the lives of thousands of young people.

(16 minutes)

Published by: BBC World Service - August, 2026

(2 minutes)

Published by: Ballroom Moves - 2026

A demonstration to music of the Winter Rose Waltz.
This dance was created by John & Ann Rainey (2025). Danced to: Horse and Carriage by Etienne Rouse

Return to the Dance Homepage (Tablet)