Dancing for Wellbeing with adults of all abilities

The feet of nine adult dancers are in a circle. They are wearing a variety of sizes and types of casual shoes, boots, socks with a cloud pattern, and running shoes. 5 people have just one shoe visible pointing to the middle, and 3 people have both their feet resting on the foot rests of their wheelchairs.
Circle of feet by the Wellspring Dance Group.

Dancing for Wellbeing programs are tailored for each group and adapted with the people participating. The sessions provide a supportive all-abilities space for people to connect, move their bodies in new ways, release stress, and express themselves through movement.

The overall style is dance improvisation: where we each choose how we want to move and interact. There are a variety of guided dance activities; however these are invitations – each participant is encouraged to go with what works for them.

Photo of 9 people standing in a circle dancing with their elbows

There is no “wrong” way to dance in these sessions, and there are no routines to remember. The sessions integrate dance improvisation, contemporary, creative movement, expressive arts, and sampling different styles of dance.

Please note that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all programs are currently on pause. If the impact of the pandemic continues into the summer, then online sessions will be available starting in July.

Fifteen dancers are improvising, with three duets smiling in the foreground

Participants have said they appreciate:

  • dancing in a supportive, welcoming, non-competitive setting,
  • releasing tension and increasing fitness,
  • getting to laugh, have fun, and make new friends,
  • nurturing self-esteem, confidence, and joy,
  • feeling accepted, lively and free,
  • connecting within themselves and with the group.

What type of program would work for you? A monthly session, weekly class, or one-time workshop? To chat about what would work for you, please be in touch.

Photo: 3 dancers - one seated and two in background dancing with elbows

For examples of programs, see this blog post: Joy & cohesion. The content and theme for sessions are built around your group’s needs and interests, compiling what is most relevant out of 200+ possible movement activities. The title of the sessions can be whatever will appeal to the people with whom you work.

Whether the sessions are for people who experience disability, for employees, for caregivers and health care practitioners, for older adults, for people with a shared health experience (e.g. depression, cancer), for students, for newcomers, for queer/ trans/ gender diverse people, for a community of faith, for participants at online conferences/ events, or for another type of group –  if you think Dancing for Wellbeing would be a good fit, then please be in touch whichever way is most convenient for you.

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