Healing Through Dance: How Music and Movement Can Bridge Divides

Participants stepping in rhythm during a flatfoot dance session, highlighting the power of music and movement in fostering connection and reconciliation.

A few weeks ago, I attended a music camp focused on learning the roots music native to the USA—specifically, the blues. The camp offered various genres of classes, so I decided to take an Appalachian flatfoot dancing class. To an outside observer, this dance form might resemble Irish step dancing, and it's a skill I have been slowly learning over the years.

As the participants waited for the teacher to arrive, a political conversation developed, and it quickly became clear that the individuals involved held opposing views. Considering it was only 9 a.m. in a peaceful outdoor setting, I was surprised to hear the disagreement escalate so quickly. Both participants were determined to be heard and wanted the other to understand their perspective, but that didn’t happen. As a bystander, I could feel the tension and awkwardness in the air.

At that moment, the dance teacher arrived, ready to start the class. Soon, we were all out on the dance floor, learning this ancient Appalachian cultural dance step to the rhythm of a live banjo player. Our bodies moved in sync with the music, we listened to the sounds of the instruments, and we stepped out of our comfort zones to participate in the vulnerable act of dancing. After an hour, the class ended, and everyone had smiles on their faces.

As I was leaving the outdoor dance venue, I overheard one of the participants who had disagreed earlier approach the other and say, "Hey, I’m sorry I was projecting and putting my beliefs on you." As I walked away, they were in a mode of forgiveness and reconciliation. Later, I overheard them sitting together, asking about each other’s lives and getting to know one another. I couldn’t help but draw a parallel between this interaction and the divisiveness we see in the USA—or anywhere in the world where deep ideological divides exist. While finding solutions to bridge such divides can be challenging, in this story, music, dance, and nature were part of the recipe for reconciliation.

As a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, I learned that the Chinese character for "music" ("樂") is similar to the character for "happiness" ("樂") and "medicine" ("藥"), highlighting an ancient connection between music and healing (Ho, 2017). I’ve heard that in some cultures, doctors ask a sick patient, "When was the last time you danced?" Studies show that listening to music promotes well-being and brain neuroplasticity and can improve cognitive, emotional, and physical health (T Zaatar, 2023). Additionally, studies have found that dancing correlates with a 76% reduction in dementia risk (Crees, 2017).

As Longfellow said, “Music is the universal language of mankind.” In my experience a few weeks ago, I witnessed music work like medicine—helping people pause in their anger, reconnect with their brains, and even make amends.

If you’re interested in experiencing the healing aspects of music, come join me this Friday, October 18th, for "Harmony & Healing: An Evening of Music and Meditation." This meditative music experience, hosted by Chesapeake Mental Health Collaborative, will offer an opportunity to embrace the transformative power of music. You can find more details and register here: Harmony & Healing: An Evening of Music and Meditation.

References:

Crees, Noah. (2015). Dancing and Cerebral Health. The Pit Journal. https://pitjournal.unc.edu/2023/01/12/dancing-and-cerebral-health/#:~:text=Out%20of%20all%20tested%20activities,New%20England%20Journal%20of%20Medicine.

Ho, Desiree. (2017, Jan 28). Music, Medicine, and Happiness. Interlude. https://interlude.hk/music-medicine-happiness/

T Zaatar, M., Alhakim, K., Enayeh, M., & Tamer, R. (2023). The transformative power of music: Insights into neuroplasticity, health, and disease. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health, 35, 100716. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100716