This book explores the experience and value of dancing for people living with the neurodegenerative disorder Parkinson's disease. Linking aesthetic values to wellbeing, Sara Houston articulates the importance of the dancing experience for those with Parkinson's, and argues that the benefits of participatory dance are best understood through the experiences, lives, needs, and challenges of people living with Parkinson's who have chosen to dance. Presenting personal narratives from a study that investigates the experience of people with Parkinson's who dance, intertwined with the social and political contexts in which the dancers live, this volume examines the personal and systemic issues as well as the attitudes and identities that shape people's relationship to dance. Taking this new primary research as a starting point, Dancing with Parkinson's builds an argument for how dance becomes a way of helping people live well with Parkinson's. This book explores the experience and value of dancing for people living with the neurodegenerative disorder Parkinson's disease. Linking aesthetic values to wellbeing, Sara Houston articulates the importance of the dancing experience for those with Parkinson's, and argues that the benefits of participatory dance are best understood through the experiences, lives, needs and challenges of people living with Parkinson's who have chosen to dance. Presenting personal narratives from a study that investigates the experience of people with Parkinson's who dance, intertwined with the social and political contexts in which the dancers live, this volume examines the personal and systemic issues as well as the attitudes and identities that shape people's relationship to dance. Taking this new primary research as a starting point, Dancing with Parkinson's builds an argument for how dance becomes a way of helping people live well with Parkinson's.

In the last few years, concerns about dancers’ health and the consequences of physical training have increased considerably. The physical requirements and type of training dancers need to achieve to reach their highest level of performance while decreasing the rate of severe injuries has awakened the necessity of more scientific knowledge concerning the area of dance, in part considering its several particularities. Scientific Perspectives and Emerging Developments in Dance and the Performing Arts is a pivotal reference source that provides vital research designed to reduce the gap between the scientific theory and the practice of dance. While highlighting topics such as burnout, mental health, and sport psychology, this publication explores areas such as nutrition, psychology, and education, as well as methods of maintaining the general wellbeing and quality of the health, training, and performance of dancers. This book is ideally designed for dance experts, instructors, sports psychologists, researchers, academicians, and students.

This no-excuses fitness plan is the first to tackle the challenges of office workers who want to lose weight, get fit, improve posture, and combat stress--without ever leaving the comfort of their desk. People today are spending more time at work and less time being active, whether by sitting in front of a computer all day or in a car battling grueling traffic--or both! Working on the Ball solves this problem by providing an innovative, playful approach to fitness, no gym shoes or expensive club membership required. Authors Jane Clapp and Sarah Robichaud, both fitness professionals, don't take themselves--or readers--too seriously. They offer a fun, reasonable routine that any office worker can follow from day one. Hour by hour, the authors take readers through a full day of 'active sitting,' using a stability ball as a chair, and provide guidance for making healthy choices in the workplace. Also included are photographs to help illustrate each exercise and plenty of encouragement, motivation, and coaching. The authors even offer tips on after-work stress management and other health subjects. Among the book's topics are: * evaluating your posture * choosing a ball * stability ball safety * avoiding eye strain and "brain drain" * desk setup * healthy snacking Working on the Ball makes a great gift or a quick pick-me-up for oneself.

Dance Psychology is the study of dance and dancers from a scientific, psychological perspective. Written by Dr Peter Lovatt (AKA Dr Dance), this Dance Psychology textbook provides a general introduction to the Psychology of Dance and then it delves in to eleven of the most central questions concerning Dance Psychology. Are humans born to dance? Does the way you move your body change the way you think? Will dancing make people happier? Can dancing put people in to a trance-like state? Will a person's dance confidence change across the lifespan? Does dancing make people healthier? Why do we enjoy watching some dance performances more than others? How do dancers remember so many dance routines? Why don't dancers get dizzy? Will dancing improve a person's self-esteem? How do we communicate emotions with our body? Drawing on academic literature, this book is engaging, technical and, in places, critical; it is essential reading for anyone with an interest in Dance Psychology.

Alex Kerten reveals his breakthrough technique that combines dance therapy, behavior modification, and martial arts to prove that there is life beyond your doctor's diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Alex shares his insights in an informal style that includes 20 easy-to-follow exercises. Those who follow his techniques can eliminate many of their symptoms and return to a productive and fulfilling life.

Every hour in the UK, two people are told they have Parkinson’s disease. For Kate Swindlehurst, the diagnosis was a turning point: refusing to be defined by her condition, she chose instead a radically different path. This is the story of an extraordinary year. It begins with a single tango lesson but grows into an exploration of the dance itself, its history, its music and its incredible healing potential. It is a year in which Kate explored and documented ‘the tango effect’ – the emotional and social benefits of dance on Parkinson’s symptoms. Her personal account echoes what science is beginning to tell us about the powerful and transformative impact of Argentine tango. Intimate and unflinching, The Tango Effect challenges our perceptions of living with a chronic condition. Above all, it takes an honest look at the dark side of the illness while celebrating moments of joy, interconnectedness, acceptance and liberation.

Christine Bryden was a top civil servant and single mother of three children when she was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 46. Dancing with Dementia is a vivid account of her experiences of living with dementia, exploring the effects of memory problems, loss of independence, difficulties in communication and the exhaustion of coping with simple tasks. She describes how, with the support of her husband Paul, she continues to lead an active life nevertheless, and explains how professionals and carers can help. This book is a thoughtful exploration of how dementia challenges our ideas of personal identity and of the process of self-discovery it can bring about.