Are there any dance sciences?

[ruanishtar]

Is dance ever a science? Like how it helps people or can be calculated or is closely associated with personality types or behaviours? Is so what are some of the formulas to making it produce happiness or productivity :?:

[pygmalion]

I don't know how many people categorize dance as a science, but study of dance can be a focus or sub-specialty of other sciences. For examples, I've seen books and articles on the physics of dance. I've also seen articles and web sites on the psychology of dance performance.

I'm not sure if that's what you're getting at, though. :?

[Doug]

I do recall reading several articles about how dance was especially good at helping retain a high level of mental function as one ages. Something to do with requiring integration across right /left brain if I remember correctly, which I am not sure that I do. Oh oh - looks like I need to dance some more!

[Chris Stratton]

Is dance ever a science?

Would you expect tech schools to have some of the leading ballroom teams if a scientific-style approach to dancing wasn't viable?

[ruanishtar]

If something can be shown scientifically positive than who knows what the possibilities are. Maybe they can even say "Studies show dancing helps lower your cholesterol or alcholism or something good."

Or my question could mean what is the correct, scientifically, way to dance?

[pygmalion]

I think those are two different questions.

One question is whether or not dance has been scientifically proven to help with other life or health "conditions." Answer: Yes. Dance has been proven to reduce the incidence of dementia, as well as improving cardiovascular health and leading to weight loss.

The other question: Is there a scientifically "right" way to dance? Answer: A lot of people think yes. The books I've read on the physics of dance focus on the idea that dance, when its physical efficiency is maximized, is scientifically predictable, from an aerodynamic perspective, among other things.

Is that what you were getting at?