Dancing for Health
Dance is a joyful way to introduce gentle exercise into children’s routines. Whether it’s inspirational Indian dancing, classic ballet or old school hip hop, our partnerships with Dance Base and Theiya Arts bring plenty of fun and distraction to the wards.
Dance Base
Dance instructor Christina works closely with the hospital’s physiotherapy team to develop individually tailored sessions for each child, in order to help aid their recovery.
Dance is a great form of exercise which provides a range of physical and mental benefits including improved heart and lung function, stronger bones; increased flexibility, co-ordination, muscle tone and balance. Most importantly, dance is fun!
The success of the programme inspired us to expand it into community healthcare settings, with Dance Base now delivering workshops for children and young people undergoing physiotherapy at Musselburgh Primary Care Centre.
The first time she took part in the dance class, she hadn’t been out of her wheelchair willingly for months, and she just got straight up, keen to join in! To see her enjoyment and to watch her moving is just wonderful. It’s as if she’s so eager to take part that she forgets any worries about falling or having seizures that might hold her back.
- Mum
Theiya Arts
Gaby and Karen of Theiya Arts deliver enchanting performances and Indian dance workshops for children and families in the ward playrooms or at the bedside.
“That was great – I liked how the movements go with the music. I remember seeing you two years ago. It was nice to watch you dancing. It breaks up my day.” – Young person
