The Dancing Well mission is bold, but simple: to help veterans coping with PTSD and brain injury to heal and connect with others through uplifting dance, joyful live music, and a supportive community.

LIKE ONE BIG FAMILY

In the audio clip above, a family member discusses her first experience with Dancing Well and what it means to her husband, who suffers from PTSD. 

a groundbreaking approach

Dancing Well offers a powerful alternative to the depression, hopelessness, and isolation that can be so persistent in the lives of those with PTSD. We are unique in creating a safe and welcoming environment where veterans and their loved one can come together with other veterans, veteran families, and the larger community to enjoy fun social time and healthy physical activity.

The dancing is based on music and dance forms anyone can enjoy. We keep dances intentionally small, within the comfort zone of participating veterans. Active participation helps foster and cement mental and physiological changes for affected Veterans who may have few other outlets for healthy physical activity, community, and creative expression.

what sets us apart

Our program is carefully tailored to the needs of veterans coping with mental, emotional, and physical challenges. Important modifications ensure that those with PTSD, brain injury, and other physical and mental challenges can participate fully and benefit:

• We provide a physical dance space designed to minimize the symptoms of PTSD and brain injury, including low, non-fluorescent lighting and a designated “Comfort Zone” for participants to go to if they begin to feel overwhelmed. 

• We modify dance moves and tempo in the moment, catering to the unique needs of each veteran, accommodating any issues they may have with anxiety, mobility, pain, comfort, or accessibility. This includes dancers using canes, walkers, or even wheelchairs.

• We use a combination of “old time,” multicultural, historical, and novelty dances paired with live music to create an accessible dance experience with broad appeal.

• We dance as one community, creating a safe, connected social experience for those who often isolate. This includes regular volunteers and long breaks for refreshments and socializing.

• We offer fun, healthy exercise that includes Cross-Body Movements to build new neural pathways, a powerful, foundational component of healing from PTSD or brain injury.

• We train volunteer dancers on the impacts and challenges of PTSD and brain injury to help them better support our veterans and loved ones and facilitate a positive, uplifting experience for all.

• We teach and then prompt dances and use simple mnemonic devices like a red ribbon around the right wrist to support those with cognitive challenges, helping them remember the dances and quickly tell right from left when they take hands with others.

• We stay in contact with each Veteran between dances through texts, phone calls, and occasional visits. 

• We hold a special graduation celebration as the final session of each dance series, recognizing the courage and tenacity of each participant.

Partnership with VA Whole Health Initiative

We are honored to serve as an official community partner of the VA Whole Health Initiative. Whole Health is a personalized, patient-driven health and well-being approach centered on Veterans' values, needs, and goals rather than just their illness. Dancing Well serves as both a mental health support and a self-care resource, very much in line with the goals of Whole Health.

Through this partnership, we are able to hold events onsite at the VA at a time that is convenient for veterans and families receiving services, allowing us to reach additional Veterans in need. Our VA events have been very well attended. Veterans and loved ones join VA staff and friendly volunteers for a relaxed evening of socializing and fun.

To learn more about Dancing Well activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, click here.