Confession: I love to dance. Every chance we get, my husband and I adore dancing together. We’re not that good but there’s something about moving to music together that makes us happy: it’s cathartic, it unites us, and it puts us in a good mood.
I recently read a book that helped me understand why. It’s called The Joy of Movement: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection, and Courage by Kelly McGonigal. This book was affirming and helped me understand what’s behind my simple pleasure of dancing.
It turns out that humans are creatures designed to move – especially to music. Turn on any piece of music with a decent beat and most of us will start rhythmically moving our feet, head, or hips. Even babies, right out the womb, will instinctively and naturally move to the beat of the music.
Dancing lights up all of the movement centers of the brain. It’s almost as if we play a song with our bodies. Interestingly (and bizarrely), the only other species known to have the same rhythmic response to music as we humans do is the cockatoo. Go figure.
McGonigal takes us back to our hunter-gatherer ancestors, sharing studies that point out some interesting tribal patterns. For example, consider our nomadic forbearers, whose lives consisted of constant movement while on a continuous search for food and water. It’s been determined that those tribal members who experienced some type of pleasure (or were at least able to overcome pain) while on long treks had higher rates of survival. One of the ways they did this was with song and synchronized movement. Those who didn’t find a way to derive pleasure from the experience died earlier.
When you think about it, this makes sense. Historically, daily movement was a natural part of human existence. It wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution, when machines, technology, and automation began to take over laborious tasks that we, in turn, began to move less. With each subsequent generation, the focus was on making life easier, more effort-free, with less physical labor.
Fast forward to the 20th century and the sedentary lifestyle began to take its toll. Heart disease and diabetes increased, as did inflammation, obesity, depression and anxiety. While we might not be able to blame everything on a sedentary lifestyle, it certainly carries some of the burden of cause.
Jack Lalanne, who is considered the “Godfather of Fitness” brought movement to the American consciousness in the 1950s. Jackie Sorensen was the first woman to teach dance fitness classes 40 years ago. Later came Jane Fonda, who taught women that movement is not only important, it can be fun. Soon, people were dancing and moving to VHS tapes and DVDs at home or joining a gym.
Many of these exercise programs and formats had a focus on appearance (and still do), especially in regard to weight loss. But if we take that focus away, these programs also help us come back to our roots and tap into the inherent knowing that moving just feels good – it’s what we were born to do.
According to McGonigal, the research shows that something extraordinary occurs when one or more of us synchronize our movements. Think Jazzercise and other choreographed dance classes. Emile Durkheim, the great French sociologist, coined the term “collective joy”. That perfectly describes the sense of wild abandon humans experience when they share intentional movement together. Our focus shifts from self to the group as we experience deep connection. Looking at other cultures, this isn’t unusual – African tribal dance and Native American ceremonial dances are just two examples of this.
All of this helps me understand why dancing makes my heart sing. When we dance, we are singularly committed to one another and connected to something bigger than ourselves. We tap into euphoria, we forget the drudgery of daily life, and we connect with something deep in our DNA.
So this evening, perhaps while you’re making dinner, turn on some music and dance. Let your body feel the rhythm and move with it. I’ll be right there with you.
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FAQ
These frequently asked questions expand on the key concepts from this article and provide additional context for understanding the relationship between movement, connection, and well-being.
Why are humans naturally drawn to movement and music?
Humans appear to be naturally wired to move in response to music. The article explains that rhythmic movement is an innate human behavior, noting that even babies instinctively move to a musical beat. This suggests that movement and music are deeply rooted aspects of human biology.
Why has physical movement been important throughout human history?
Movement has historically been essential for human survival. According to the article, hunter-gatherer ancestors relied on constant movement while searching for food and water, making physical activity a natural part of daily life. As modern lifestyles became increasingly sedentary, movement became less integrated into everyday living.
How did modern sedentary lifestyles affect human health?
The article suggests that increasingly sedentary lifestyles have contributed to declining health. It notes that as technology and automation reduced daily physical labor, conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, inflammation, obesity, depression, and anxiety became more common. While sedentary living is not presented as the sole cause, it is described as an important contributing factor.
Why does dancing feel so enjoyable?
Dancing feels enjoyable because it engages both the body and the brain. The article explains that dancing activates the brain’s movement centers while allowing people to express themselves through rhythm. This combination helps explain why many people experience dancing as uplifting and emotionally rewarding.
What happens in the brain when we dance?
According to the article, dancing activates all of the movement centers of the brain. It describes dancing as almost “playing a song” with the body, highlighting the close relationship between music, movement, and brain activity.
What is synchronized movement?
Synchronized movement refers to two or more people intentionally moving together in rhythm. The article uses examples such as choreographed dance classes, partner dancing, and traditional cultural dances to illustrate this concept.
What are the benefits of synchronized movement?
The article describes synchronized movement as promoting connection, enjoyment, and a sense of shared experience. Research cited by the author suggests that moving together can shift attention away from the individual and toward the group, creating stronger feelings of unity and collective participation.
What is “collective joy”?
Collective joy is the sense of connection and shared happiness that can emerge when people move together. The article references sociologist Emile Durkheim, who used the term to describe the powerful emotional experience that occurs during synchronized group movement.
Why do group dance classes often feel so energizing?
Group dance classes combine music with synchronized movement, creating opportunities for shared participation. According to the article, this experience encourages people to focus less on themselves and more on the group, fostering enjoyment, connection, and a sense of belonging.
How has dance been used across different cultures?
The article explains that synchronized movement has long been part of many cultures. It highlights African tribal dances and Native American ceremonial dances as examples of communities using coordinated movement to strengthen connection and shared experience.
Has exercise always been focused on weight loss and appearance?
No. While many modern exercise programs have emphasized weight loss and physical appearance, the article argues that movement offers benefits that extend beyond aesthetics. It suggests that movement reconnects people with an innate drive to move simply because it feels good.
How can someone incorporate more joyful movement into daily life?
The article encourages making movement simple and enjoyable rather than treating it solely as exercise. One practical suggestion is to play music while completing everyday activities, such as making dinner, and allow the body to move naturally with the rhythm.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Margaret Floyd Barry, FNTP MRHP is owner and Executive Director of the Institute of Restorative Health. She’s a functional nutritionist, author, speaker, educator, and real food advocate. Through years of experience working with the most complex client cases, including reversing her own autoimmune condition, Margaret uses a powerful system for restoring health by addressing the root cause of illness.
Today, Margaret teaches fellow practitioners the same proven system she uses to get her clients life-changing results through the Institute of Restorative Health – a two-year comprehensive functional nutrition certification program for qualified health professionals. Margaret also runs Restorative Corporate Wellness, a team of Restorative Health Practitioners facilitating health transformations with corporate clients. She is the author of Eat Naked and its follow-up cookbook The Naked Foods Cookbook. She’s also the host of the Clinician’s Corner podcast, where she interviews some of the world’s top experts in the fields of functional health and nutrition.
