Dance is an amazing mindfulness building tool since it uses the mind and the body in intentional movement. These are some of the ways dance helps with cultivating mindfulness:

1. Present Focus: While you are dancing, you put the present moment focus on the rhythm, the music, and your body movement in the here and now. This anchors you in the “now,” quieting mental jabbering.
2. Engages the Senses: Dancing heightens your awareness of your senses—like the feeling of your feet on the ground, your breathing, or the stretching of your muscles. Being aware of your senses is a key aspect of mindfulness.
3. Encourages Non-Judgment: There is no right or wrong way to move in mindful dancing. Letting go of perfectionism allows you to embrace your authentic self and your movements as they are.
4. Triggers Flow State: Losing yourself in the movement and rhythm can trigger a state of “flow,” where you lose track of time and are fully immersed in the experience.
5. Facilitates Stress Release: Dancing allows for an outlet for bottled-up emotions and tension to be released, clearing the way for a more calm, present mind.
6. Promotes Mindful Breathing: Dancing naturally finds rhythm with your breath, and increasing awareness of this integration increases the practice of mindfulness.
7. Symbolizes Inner Discovery: Every step can be a process of discovery, allowing you to walk through and notice the feelings that might otherwise be uncharted territory to you.
8. Promotes Gratitude: Paying attention to your body and giving thanks for what it is capable of can promote an attitude of self-love and gratitude.

Mindful dancing is a moving meditation—it promotes emotional well-being without removing you from your body.

Is there a dance or type of movement that you enjoy in particular?
How does your body move when happy? Sad? Angry? Anxious? Excited?