Mindfulness comes in many forms. Some you may not consider at first glance. One such mindfulness you might dismiss is, movement.
Movement is more than just fidgeting, getting up and walking a lap around a classroom, or stretching your arms above your head. Movement is a specific form, such as; martial arts, yoga, and dance.
Studies out of Harvard Medical School show that dancing supports motor, emotional, and intellectual brain function.
A study printed in the New England Journal of Medicine found that dancing improves brain health. More specifically memory. In fact, when looking at golf, swimming, tennis, cycling, and dance; dance showed the best results for memory support. Studies on dancing are showing us that dance can reduce the risk of dementia by 76%. Some doctors are even discovering the benefits of dance for those living with Parkinson's. The website news-medical.net shares that dancing has also been shown to reduce symptoms of depression.
It is important to understand that we are not simply talking about turning on music and letting our students go wild and calling it dancing. We are talking about synchronized, choreographed, and mimicked movements.
Studies show that when we mimic movement or synchronize movement we improve self-esteem. It has also been found that this type of movement helps us like others more. Perhaps the next time there is conflict in your class you take a dance break. Have students pair up and move in unison.
Yoga is a great type of movement which can reduce the severity of symptoms of PTSD to the point patients no longer meet the criteria for diagnosis.
Take time to move with purpose and in synchronization with others. Help your students and help your self. Get up. Get moving, with purpose.
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