ABSTRACT
The chapter focuses on the link between dancing and health. It gives examples through history and across cultures where dancing has been a part of rituals to make people better, as well as famous instances where dancing has been a manifestation of ill health. It outlines different ways that dancing is used to promote good health and then looks at the evidence as to what exactly it does in helping people’s physical health and mental well-being. The chapter then highlights what you need to start dancing and then some of the barriers or challenges that you might encounter. The chapter gives ideas as to how to counteract these challenges and suggests different approaches to setting up a dance and health program. It also suggests that dancing can happen as an artistic or social practice, or to work towards a performance. The chapter ends by giving several links to websites that support dance and health initiatives.
