Residents of Canada, regardless of their usual cheerfulness and resilience, are all too familiar with the heavy toll that winter can take on our mental health. As March approaches, the anticipation for spring grows stronger—dancing might hold the secret to experiencing that warmth a bit sooner.
Everyone is invited
Unsure about your dancing abilities? Consider this: dancing is an innate aspect of being human; even toddlers express themselves through movement before they master spoken language.
“Dance comprises movement, and movement is something integral to our daily lives,” explains Julia Ray, the founder of Ecstatic Dance Toronto, a weekly sober dance gathering. “Your body instinctively knows how to dance.” If concerns about looking “cool” keep you away, the array of health advantages associated with dancing may just convince you to step onto the dance floor.
Dancing and your brain
Research indicates that even a single hour of dancing can lead to a decrease in depression scores. While other forms of exercise also trigger endorphin release, dancing adds a unique dimension.
Dance and music are inherently connected, and combining them results in a dual source of pleasure: music’s predictive nature activates the brain’s reward systems, while dance engages its sensory and motor circuits, elongating the experience of joy, which is why many find themselves dancing for hours.
Benefits for cognitive health
Dancing has also been shown to lower the risk of dementia and assist individuals with Parkinson’s disease by increasing dopamine levels and fostering new neural pathways, thus enhancing neuroplasticity. For those living with Parkinson’s, maintaining a steady rhythmic cue can improve walking and speaking, while specific songs can help evoke memories in individuals with dementia.
Dance as a therapeutic method
Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) represents a form of psychotherapy incorporating movement and dance as alternative expressions for individuals.
“Every experience we’ve had is embedded in our bodies,” asserts Marlene Stirrett-Matson, a dance movement therapist and president of the Dance and Movement Therapy Association of Canada. “These experiences manifest as memories or trauma. We assist our clients in unpacking these memories and processing them through movement.”
DMT’s reliance on non-verbal communication facilitates access to unconscious emotions, enabling individuals to navigate cultural and linguistic barriers and address concerns that are often hard to express verbally.
Building physical resilience
Apart from the mental benefits, dancing serves as an enjoyable method of maintaining physical activity, even when the ground is icy. Research shows that engaging in any dance form can significantly enhance muscle strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance.
Maintain movement
Dancing can significantly benefit our body as we grow older, aiding in mobility, joint health, and overall physical wellness.
For those with limited mobility, dancing can still be a viable option. When organizing a session, “it’s important to adapt to the movements available in the room,” explains Stirrett-Matson. “Participants can engage in dance from a seated, standing, or lying position, based on what feels secure and comfortable for them.”
The power of community
Engaging in dance with others, whether in a group or a pair, not only enhances individual well-being but also fosters deeper connections. Shared movement cultivates camaraderie, joy, and a feeling of inclusion. Dancing together helps align energy and emotions, fortify social connections, and transform wellness into a collective journey.
“The act of dancing itself is a profound remedy … deeply tied to health and wellness,” remarks Ray. “We possess everything we need to flourish, and the dance floor is one of those spaces where this is evident.”
This article was initially featured in the March 2026 edition of The Windows Clubs magazine.
