Dance for connection emerged as a concept for me in 1993, when I was one of four dance/movement therapists employed to provide services to frail elders as part of a research project funded by the NIH to investigate the effect of dance/movement therapy (DMT) on mood, social interaction and physical functioning of nursing home residents and adult day health clients. The quantitative research was poorly designed, but I won't go into that here. However, music therapist Michele Forinash was inspired to provide a qualitative aspect of the research study to provide a better “understanding of essential elements of the [DMT] experience.” Based on the four therapists’ narratives which included clinicians’ clinical process notes, personal reactions, and general impressions, Forinash found, with all four therapists in agreement, the Phenomenon of Connection; that is, an essential continuum of connectedness, both internal and external underpinning all of our work. (Forinash, M. 1996. Facets of connectedness: A Phenomenology of dance/movement therapy with the frail elderly. Unpublished.)

When the intention is to build connection, dance, is powerful because it celebrates our commonalities. We all have bodies and can move them to express ourselves and communicate with one another. Our bodies' ability to express ourselves is a lowest common denominator.

Today is International Dance Day: "This day is a celebration day for those who can see the value and importance of the art form “dance”, and acts as a wake-up-call for governments, politicians and institutions which have not yet recognised its value to the people and to the individual and have not yet realised its potential for economic growth." Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, dancer and choreographer, offered this message for International Dance Day 2012 “People reflect each other constantly, but when they dance, perhaps what they reflect most is that moment of honesty.”

It’s about connection that is real and honest and in-the-moment. It's about connection internally and externally, so that we truly feel a sense of belonging. That is why my business is called Dance for Connection, to self, others, and the world around.

Only when a person truly feels they belong will they offer their unique gifts. Only then will we minimize human suffering and maximize human potential. “[A]s a society, . . . we have everything to gain and everything to lose, in how well or how poorly we manage our need for human connection.” (Kirkus Reviews. Cacioppo, J.T. & Patrick, W. (2008). loneliness. Back cover.)

So let's enjoy dancing on this International Dance Day. If you need a bit of inspiration, I've loved watching this video by Nederlands Dans Theater repeatedly.

If you want to learn how to bring a greater sense of connection through dance to people living with dementia, find out more here.

Click here to register to learn to bring dance to people with dementia.

Donna Newman-Bluestein

What Is a Dance for Connection?