Surviving Through Dance

Finding Solace through Movement

There is transformative power in the arts, especially dance. Dance has been used as a way to survive difficult situations throughout history and across cultures. In times of hardship or trauma, people often turn to dance as a means of expressing their emotions, releasing tension and finding a sense of community and connection with others. Dance can help us develop confidence, physical skills, strength, coordination, balance and that sense of achievement in an emotional and psychological perspective. It helps us develop a way and mechanism to express our internal world. One could argue that for sure dance is a coping mechanism and a way to survive the difficult realities the world possesses us with.

Dance has been used as a coping mechanism throughout history. Dance was used as a form of resistance and empowerment during times of oppression and discrimination. Enslaved people in the United States, for example, used dance to maintain cultural traditions and express their emotions despite the harsh conditions they faced during the era of slavery. Similarly, during South Africa's apartheid era, dance was used to protest the oppressive government and express a sense of unity and hope.

In many cultures, dance has been used as a healing practice for both physical and emotional ailments. Dance, for example, was used as a form of therapy in ancient Greece to treat a variety of illnesses, including mental health disorders. Dance has long been used in Native American cultures to connect with the natural world and promote physical and emotional healing. 

Dance has also long been used to celebrate life, express joy and gratitude during times of celebration. Dance, for example, is an important part of many African cultures' celebrations, such as weddings, births, and harvest festivals. Similarly, dance is also used to celebrate life at funerals in the western parts of Kenya.

There are quite a few forms of dance from across the globe that each have their own style and tradition. Some of the more commonly known forms practiced today are ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, tap, Latin, folk, ballroom and afrobeat. 

Ballet is a classical form of dance that originated in Europe's royal courts. It is distinguished by its graceful and precise movements, as well as its emphasis on technique and athleticism.

Contemporary dance is a dance style that emphasizes expression and creativity. It combines elements of ballet, jazz, and modern dance to create a distinct and frequently experimental movement style.

Jazz dance is a dance style that developed in African American communities in the United States. It is distinguished by its fast-paced and energetic movements, as well as its use of syncopated rhythms and improvisation.

Hip-hop dance is a dance style that emerged in the 1970s from the hip-hop music scene. Its emphasis on rhythm, style, and improvisation, as well as its use of a wide range of urban dance styles, distinguishes it   

Tap dance is a style of dance that is performed with metal-tipped shoes, which create percussive sounds when struck against a hard surface. Its rhythmic and syncopated movements, as well as its use of improvisation, characterize it. Latin dance encompasses a wide variety of styles, including salsa, samba, tango, and cha-cha. Their lively rhythms, sensual movements, and emphasis on collaboration and connection characterize these styles.

Folk dance refers to traditional dances that are performed by specific cultural groups. These dances are often used to celebrate festivals or important events and are characterized by their unique costumes, music, and movements. Ballroom dance includes a variety of partner dances, such as the waltz, foxtrot, and tango. Their graceful movements, precise footwork, and emphasis on collaboration and connection characterize these dances.

These are just a few examples of the many different and unique forms of dance that exist. Each style has its own unique history, culture, and traditions, and offers a wide range of physical and emotional benefits to its performers.

Dance has been used to survive even the most difficult situations. After the death of a loved one, many people experience sadness, anger, and confusion. Dancing can help you process and express your emotions in a physical and expressive way. During funerals in western Kenya, there are 'disco matangas,' where people dance throughout the period of mourning to celebrate the life of the deceased. "Dance can be a powerful coping tool because it allows us to move through our grief in a physical way," says Dr. Christina Hibbert, a clinical psychologist and grief and loss expert. 

Dr. Robin L. Gobin, a licensed clinical psychologist, agrees, "Dancing is an excellent way to manage stress and anxiety because it combines physical movement with music, which can be soothing and uplifting." Though I'm not the best dancer, whenever I'm nervous and decide to dance for a few minutes, I always feel better,” said Chelsea Kwayesa, a social media creative.

“After my father’s accident it was recommended that I should go for therapy, however, I felt anxious and couldn’t express myself during the therapy sessions and therefore decided to take up dance as my form of therapy,” said Eugene Masitsa, an aerobics instructor. Trauma can cause us to feel disconnected from our bodies and emotions; dancing can help us reconnect with ourselves and process our experiences so that we can regain control of our bodies and emotions.

Chronic pain can be a constant source of stress and frustration. Dancing can be a way to distract from the pain and release endorphins, which can help to alleviate pain. According to lead author Dr. Jeanine L. Skorinko, “dancing can be a fun and engaging way to distract from pain and improve overall quality of life. By focusing on movement and music, individuals can experience a sense of pleasure and enjoyment, which can help to alleviate pain and promote feelings of well-being.”

TikTok's popularity skyrocketed during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak across the globe, with a 180 percent increase among 15 to 25-year-old users after the pandemic broke out and people began working and studying primarily from home. During the pandemic, there was a lot of depression and feelings of hopelessness. Dance through TikTok became a powerful tool for coping with the difficult situation. Users combined physical movement with self-expression and creativity TikTok to connect and create dance trends shared all over the world. This gave users a sense of community and the hope of brighter days ahead. "Though I was not posting dancing videos, I really enjoyed practicing the dance trends in my room. It helped me release the tension of the pandemic," said TikTok enthusiast Irene Njeri.

Dance can also be an excellent revenue source for those who are passionate about the art form and are willing to put in the time and effort required to turn their passion into a way to make a living. Many young people in Kenya especially from the low settlements have turned their talents into a business to help them create a living. “Instead of engaging in crime and drugs like the other youth in my area Mathare, I decided to take up teaching schools for the drama and music festivals. I have been able to go to the National level four years in a row and even had the opportunity to perform at a state gala for the former President Uhuru Kenyatta,” said Alfred Seje, a high school music and dance trainer.

Dance is art, exercise, work and more so a language that uses the mind-body connection. The physical movements of dance have been shown to reduce levels of stress, anxiety and depression. According to Kelsey Laird, Ph.D., a UCLA postdoctoral researcher, she found out that conscious dance helped participants cope with their condition, ranging from 88% among those with a history of addiction to 96% among those with anxiety or depression. 

Dancing absorbs detrimental stress hormones and instead releases the feel-good hormone, dopamine. Also, the body’s natural mood-boosting chemicals, endorphins. When the hormone is released, people experience motivation and reward which results in improved mood, relief from stress and tension, learning and a good memory. Dance allows expression through movement creatively and emotionally. Dancers can deal with difficult feelings and release them through the steps and routines. Through connecting with their difficult emotions and their feelings, they can be mindful of how they feel.  Which is one way to avoid succumbing to depression.

There are also cognitive aspects to it, dancing requires coordination and concentration. Which helps one improve their cognitive function and focus, serving as a distraction from negative thoughts and rumination. In addition, the creation of flow and focus lends to a sense of mindfulness, which is a powerful tool in combating social anxiety. Dancing is often a social activity, offering opportunities to connect with others and build meaningful relationships. Therefore, helping to combat feelings of loneliness, and isolation, boost social confidence and apparently talking and spending time with others improves your mood.

In conclusion, it is evident that dance has healing power, both physically and mentally. Whether you are just trying to survive, dealing with grief, stress, anxiety or any other difficult situation, dancing can be a valuable coping mechanism. It not only allows you to express yourself and let go of your emotions in a safe and healthy environment, but it also fosters a sense of community and connection with others. For the longest time, dance has been used in different celebrations in the African community such as weddings, harvesting and births to promote unity. Dancing allows you to connect with your body, let go of negative emotions, and experience the joy of movement. So, the next time you are feeling overwhelmed, put on some music and dance it out - you may be surprised at how much it can help you heal and grow.

by Nataly Narano, Aim Moyi, Gloria Kamotho, Ronald Kiprut and Rodney Thuo