A Curricular Model for Dance Wellness Education in Higher Education Dance Programs

Abstract

Dance wellness is comprised of a wide array of components that share the common goal of the overall health and well-being of the dancer. Drawing from a number of disciplines, dance wellness seeks a balanced, integrative, and interdisciplinary approach to health and well-being; is specific to the individual participant; and is unique to the field of dance. In higher education dance programs, dance wellness has three primary functions — education, service, and research. The rationale supporting the dance wellness curricular model is based on contemporary professional literature in dance medicine, science, and somatics and a review by a panel of ten experts in related fields. The two major dimensions of dance wellness education programs are ten curricular components and four implementation strategies. The definition and importance of each component is described. Methods for implementing the ten components within dance programs, as well as a variety of exemplary supplementary wellness programs, are also described. Based on the dance wellness curricular model presented, specific, minimum guidelines for dance wellness programs in higher education dance programs are recommended which optimize the health, general well-being, and performance potential of dancers.