Dancing Is the Best Medicine: The Science of How Moving to a Beat Is Good for Body, Brain, and Soul

“Lively and enlightening.”—Sarah L. Kaufman, Washington Post

“[A] zippy guide to better health.”—Publisher’s Weekly STARRED Review

Discover why humans were designed for dancing—and learn how to boogie for better health—with two neuroscientists as your guide.

Dancing is one of the best things we can do for our health. In this groundbreaking and fun-to-read book, two neuroscientists (who are also competitive dancers) draw on their cutting-edge research to

• reveal why humans are hardwired for dance
• show how to achieve optimal health through dancing
  

Taking readers on an in-depth exploration of movement and music, from early humans up until today, the authors show the proven benefits of dance for our heart, lungs, bones, nervous system, and brain. Readers will come away with a wide range of dances to try and a scientific understanding of how dance benefits almost every aspect of our lives.

• Dance prevents and manages illness and pain: such as Diabetes, arthritis, back pain, and Parkinson’s.
• Dance can be as effective as high intensity interval training: but without the strain on your joints and heart.
  
• Dance boosts immunity and lowers stress: it also helps reduce inflammation.
  
• Dance positively impacts the microbiome: and aids in digestion, weight loss, and digestive issues such as IBS.
  
• Dance bolsters the mind-body connection: helping us get in tune with our bodies for better overall health.
  

We’re lucky that one of the best things we can do for our health is also one of the most fun. And the best part: dance is something anyone can do. Old or young, injured or experiencing chronic pain, dance is for everyone, everywhere.

So, let’s dance!

Types of dance featured in the book:

• Partner dance (salsa, swing dancing, waltz)
• Ballet
• Hip hop
  
• Modern
  
• Jazz
  
• Line dancing
  
• Tap dancing
  
• And more!
  

Julia F. Christensen, Ph.D., studied psychology and neuroscience in Spain, France, and the UK and received her Ph.D. from the University of the Balearic Islands. Reports on her research into dance and the brain are published widely including in the New York Times. Based in London, she loves to dance the tango.

Dong-Seon Chang, Ph.D., studied cognitive science at Rutgers and received his Ph.D. from the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics at Tübingen. He is a popular TV presenter and speaker, and the winner of several science slams. Based in Seoul, he loves to swing dance.