On the occasion of International Dance Day, which falls on April 29, let’s discover what happens in the brain when we dance.

We’ll understand just how powerful a tool dance is—contributing to memory improvement, learning capacity, and brain flexibility—and how it may even help reduce symptoms of various medical conditions, such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

In a dance studio located in a grand old building in the heart of Paris, a ballet dancer floats on her toes, performing pirouettes with impressive precision. On a busy street in downtown New York, a circle of passersby gathers around young men spontaneously engaged in a breakdance battle. In an Andalusian village in southern Spain, a flamenco dancer taps her heels on the wooden floor, surrendering to the rhythm created by her footwork. In a small apartment in Tel Aviv, a young woman turns up the music and dances barefoot in a burst of joy. The art of dance is ancient and spans continents and cultures. It is also a testament to the brain’s remarkable abilities—memory, attention, precise planning. To mark International Dance Day, which occurred a few days ago on April 29, let’s dive in and discover what happens in the brain when we dance.

Dance is a planned or improvised movement of the body, and as such, it involves complex cognitive processes. Learning and performing choreography requires a range of cognitive abilities, including the use of working memory to recall movement sequences, long-term memory to retrieve learned steps and patterns, and focused attention to follow the music, coordinate with other dancers, and orient oneself in space. Deciding on the next movement and coordinating it with the body and environment requires the brain’s executive functions, mental flexibility, and inhibition of unwanted responses.

Extended dance training affects brain function and even leads to structural changes in the brain. Studies have shown that dance training can alter the structure and volume of both gray and white matter in the brain, as well as improve connectivity between brain regions responsible for movement, sensation, rhythm, and coordination. This leads to more efficient coordination of these functions.

Dance also positively impacts the brain’s neuroplasticity, the process through which the brain changes its structure and function in response to learning. When we learn new dance movements and practice them, we are essentially building new neural pathways and strengthening existing ones—especially in areas related to memory, spatial perception, and movement planning. Studies examining the brains of professional dancers found that their motor areas are more active and that they show stronger connections between perception, prediction, and execution of movements compared to non-dancers. One fascinating finding was that functional changes in the brain occurred even after short-term dance training, even among participants who do not dance regularly.

Many studies support the connection between dance and the improvement and maintenance of cognitive abilities. A large-scale, long-term study found that people aged 75 and over who engaged in recreational dancing had a reduced risk of developing dementia. Another review article found a link between dance and the improvement of a variety of cognitive abilities in older adults, especially memory. In a study that compared the effects of dance-based physical training to other physical activity of similar intensity, dance had a unique impact on brain structure: it increased the volume of brain areas involved in movement and sensation and raised levels of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), a protein that supports neuron survival and growth and contributes to learning and memory.

Beyond strengthening cognitive abilities, dance has a real effect on mood and psychological well-being. The physical activity involved in dancing leads to the release of endorphins, chemicals that promote feelings of calm and pleasure and reduce pain. Moreover, the social aspect of dancing—especially in group settings—plays an important role in enhancing well-being. Participating in dance classes provides opportunities for social connection and encourages a sense of belonging and support, all of which help boost mood and reduce feelings of loneliness and anxiety.

Dance also proves to be a valuable tool in dealing with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s. In recent years, studies have shown that dance improves motor function, balance, cognitive performance, and mood among people with Parkinson’s—and can even reduce symptoms of gait freezing, a condition in which the person becomes “stuck” and cannot begin or continue walking. The hypothesis is that the external cues provided by dance—such as the music’s rhythm and the movements of other dancers—allow the individual to use alternative brain pathways that bypass the impaired ones caused by the disease.

A study examining how different dance styles affected Parkinson’s symptoms found improvements in a variety of symptoms among patients who participated in two classes per week over several weeks. In particular, Argentine tango classes had a significant positive effect. Tango involves backward steps, crossing of the legs, and maneuvers that require balance—movements that specifically help strengthen the brain mechanisms responsible for posture and motor control in Parkinson’s patients.

Movement and dance are powerful therapeutic and rehabilitative tools for coping with a wide range of mental and physical challenges, as reflected in many studies. Dance has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression, improve quality of life, and enhance the sense of bodily control in patients. It can also assist in emotional expression and regulation—especially among people who struggle in this area, as shown in a study that examined emotional expression through specific flamenco dance movements.

In conclusion, science leaves no room for doubt—dance is an empowering activity that benefits the brain, body, and soul. It enhances cognitive function, promotes brain flexibility, boosts mood, and supports emotional well-being. Whether through the refined and precise movements of ballet or an impromptu dance burst in the living room, dance holds tremendous potential for improving quality of life.

Go dance!

Contribution from Dr. Lee Shalev

To original article in Hebrew, with citing sources: Click here.