Minute Masterclass Episode 61

Welcome to your one-minute masterclass. I’m Andrea Trench, founder of DiscoverDance. Today we are discussing the brain-based principle: Include Opportunities for Emotional Engagement. Anne Green Gilbert writes in her Brain-Compatible Dance Education book, “Positive and engaging movement experiences increase the flow of serotonin and dopamine, feel-good chemicals that boost self-esteem. Negative, stressful experiences are counterproductive in any learning environment. They may cause secretion of the chemical cortisol, an excess of which can damage brain cells.” 

Anne suggests offering physical expression opportunities through the exploration of the contrast of the dance concepts- Strong vs Light for example. In addition, adding a time for reflection, so the dancers can think about and express vocally what they just experienced physically, will help the connection between their brain and their body. For more information, visit DiscoverDance.com.