The Need for Arts Retreats: Dance & Holistic Wellness

Staying on the mat is beneficial, but once you allow yourself to go beyond and explore the arts as physical, mental, and spiritual expression, you may discover significant aspects of yourself, emotionally and culturally, that you never knew existed.

Cherie Hill teaches Dance for Joy at Dance Dream Rejuvenate Murrieta Retreat.

This is not a bash on yoga retreats. I am a dancer, and I have been one for most of my life. I am also a meditator and yoga practitioner with over 20 years of experience. I believe in the power of these practices, but they are not the only way to feel clarity, distress, and recharge, yet they have taken the world by storm at a high purchase cost. How many yoga retreats are out there vs dance and the arts?

I am an advocate of the power of dance, and I have seen and experienced firsthand the impact the arts have on bodies, minds, and spirits. I'm not going to go through all the studies and testimonies on how enriching engaging in the arts is, but I do want to highlight some of the significant benefits that come through dance, which is why I am excited to host dance and art retreats.

1) Science: We know that connecting the body and mind through movement does miraculous things for the brain and our well-being. Studies show that dance can improve brain health, reduce stress, and help develop new neural connections (1). Dancing also improves our moods, stimulating the release of endorphins (2). When we learn about each other through dance, copying, and mirroring, we are activating empathy and understanding through a kinesthetic manner, going beyond dancing for only self-pleasure.

2) Physical Health: Dance not only nourishes our brain health but also includes numerous physical health benefits. Moving through space at different speeds while emphasizing parts of the body takes mobility, flexibility, and agility. While we are thinking and then taking action by executing the next step, our body is getting a workout. Dance is cardiovascular exercise. We use our entire bodies to work up a sweat, and strengthen the core, spine, and other areas. Dance makes us strong, tones our muscles, and puts the body on track for healthy weight management, all while making creative art.

3) Cultural Relevance: I come from an African Diaspora background where arts and culture are significant to community and expression. Black folks are leaders in the fields of dance, music, and visual arts, among others, pioneering artistic movements with global influence. Healing and cultural understanding are found in engagement with the arts, as we are living embodied beings. In my study of West African dance, the dance, music, and community are not separate, and the arts are part of daily life. In present-day society, some of us have moved far away from practicing the arts, and we continue to combat hereditary disease and illness. Participating in dance is a connection to the natural medicines our ancestors from all parts of the world cultivated and left for us. Dancing, singing, and painting are our cultural birthrights that help us tap into our roots, self-awareness, and well-being. If you are not engaging in art, you are missing out on centuries-old wisdom that helps you know yourself and move with confidence in the world.

In conclusion, the arts have been and continue to be a cornerstone for wellness. Whether you are seeking a way to engage with others, destress, be in your body, or clear your brain, dance helps in all aspects of your holistic health. Staying on the mat is beneficial, but once you allow yourself to go beyond and explore the arts as physical, mental, and spiritual expression, you may discover significant aspects of yourself, emotionally and culturally, that you never knew existed. My experience with dance and the arts, which help build community, strength, discipline, and wellness, changed my life.

I created Dance, Dream, Rejuvenate Retreats to share the power of the arts with others, especially professionals seeking to restore and expand their creativity within an inclusive, Black-led space. I invite you to incorporate dance and arts more into your typical and retreat-style wellness practices. Visit movedasoul.com/retreats for more information on retreats and classes utilizing dance and the arts to nourish and replenish.

1) Edwards, Scott. "Dancing and the Brain." Harvard Medical School, Winter 2015, hms.harvard.edu/news-events/publications-archive/brain/dancing-brain?utm_source=chatgpt.com.

2) Colino, Stacey. "How Dance Promotes Brain Health." Brain & Life, Feb./Mar. 2025, www.brainandlife.org/articles/dance-promotes-brain-health.