Canadians, regardless of their spirits, are all too familiar with how the long stretch of winter can impact mental health. As March approaches, the anticipation for the arrival of spring heightens, and engaging in dance could be the perfect way to embrace warmer days sooner.
All are welcome
Worried that you can’t dance? Reconsider. Dance has been a fundamental aspect of human expression; even babies convey emotions through movement long before they learn to talk.
“Dance represents movement, and we engage in movement constantly,” explains Julia Ray, the founder of Ecstatic Dance Toronto, a weekly sober dance event. “Your body innately knows how to dance.” If you feel inhibited by the need to appear “cool,” the numerous health benefits of dancing might serve as motivation to step onto the dance floor.
The impact of dance on the brain
Research has demonstrated that even a single hour of dancing can significantly lessen feelings of depression. Dancing, like other physical activities, releases endorphins, but its effects extend beyond that.
Music and dance are interlinked, and combining the two produces a powerful sensation: the familiar aspects of music activate the brain’s reward systems, while dance enhances sensory and motor functions. This unique combination can lead to prolonged enjoyment, which is why people often find themselves dancing until dawn.
Cognitive health and longevity
Dancing has been shown to lower the risk of dementia and benefit individuals with Parkinson’s disease by enhancing dopamine levels and creating new neural pathways, which boosts neuroplasticity. Those with Parkinson’s often improve their walking and speaking abilities when guided by rhythmic cues, and for patients with dementia, specific music can help evoke memories.
Dance as a therapeutic practice
Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) combines movement and dance within a psychotherapeutic approach, providing patients with an alternative means of expression.
“Every experience we’ve had is stored in our bodies,” affirms Marlene Stirrett-Matson, a dance movement therapist and president of the Dance and Movement Therapy Association in Canada. “These memories, including trauma, are retained within us. We guide clients to rediscover these memories and process them through movement.”
DMT’s non-verbal nature allows individuals to explore subconscious emotions, overcome cultural and language barriers, and navigate complex feelings that may be hard to express.
Building physical strength
Apart from its cognitive advantages, dance is also an excellent method to increase physical activity, even when outdoor conditions are unfavorable. Research indicates that dancing, irrespective of the style, can significantly enhance muscular strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance.
Continue moving
Dancing proves to be especially advantageous as we grow older, aiding in the maintenance of mobility, promoting healthy joints, and enhancing overall physical health.
Dancers with limited mobility can still partake in this art form. When planning a session, “the idea is to adapt to the movement present in the room,” explains Stirrett-Matson. “Participants can express themselves sitting, standing, or lying down, wherever they feel secure and comfortable.”
Fostering community ties
Dancing alongside others, whether in a communal space or as partners, enhances not only individual joy but also collective connection. Engaging in shared movement cultivates connection, happiness, and a sense of belonging. Synchronizing body movements can uplift energy, improve mood, strengthen interpersonal connections, and create a shared wellness experience.
“Dance possesses such a powerful elixir… it is intrinsic to health and well-being,” states Ray. “We are innately equipped with everything we need to flourish, and the dance floor is one of those locations that reveals this.”
This article originally appeared in the March 2026 edition of Thewindowsclubs magazine.
