The Oxford Handbook of Dance and Wellbeing
Abstract
This book embraces diverse perspectives of dance and its effects on wellbeing for individuals in various contexts. Section A, Dance in the Body, focuses on experiences of wellbeing in our bodies through movement and dance. Chapters refer to anatomical, physiological and neuroscientific perspectives through somatic, psychological and spiritual approaches to movement and dance, reflecting a continuum from objective to subjective approaches to the topic. Section B, Dance within a Performative Context, considers dance as art, including choreography and appreciation. Contributions discuss new approaches to wellbeing and how audiences, performers and choreographers/directors can understand and share experiences of wellbeing; also how this can inform research on wellbeing in a wider dance context. Section C, Dance in Education, addresses students’ experiences of dance/movement practices and wellbeing in both mainstream and special education. It covers pedagogical methodology, personal and social achievement, assessment of wellbeing and dance curricula, opening up discussion on cultural diversity and how fixed notions of learning and self-identity can be challenged through dance, thus affecting wellbeing. Section D, Dance in the Community, emphasises sociological, anthropological and political aspects of dance, covering diverse groups and genres of dance, exploring participants’ feelings of wellbeing. Issues such as identity, social engagement, cohesion and empowerment are discussed. Section E, Dance in Health Care Contexts, includes dance work in primary care, hospitals or linked with medical thinking. It offers examples of diverse practices, presenting evidence of effects on mental health and quality of life, and discussing patients’ perceptions of dance in their health care programmes.
Keywords:
Dance,
wellbeing,
therapy,
aesthetics,
education,
community,
health,
performance art
Bibliographic Information
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- Print Publication Date:
- Oct 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780199949298
- Published online:
- Dec 2017
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199949298.001.0001
Editors
Vicky Karkou,
editor
Vassilki Karkou, Senior Lecturer, Division of Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Arts Therapies, Queen Margaret University.
Sue Oliver,
editor
Sue Oliver, freelance dance artist, Edinburgh, UK.
Sophia Lycouris,
editor
Sophia Lycouris, Edinburgh College of Art
