You Move Me!

The POWER of Movement is life giving... It is life.

"We humans are a musical species no less than a linguistic one."

Dr. Oliver Sacks

Music is a catalyst for movement and movement kicks in the natural chemicals in our bodies that make us happier. Endorphins and oxytocin are neurochemicals in our bodies that are our friends, especially for people with Alzheimer's disease. It's our job to help them remember how to move and give them a jump start, so to speak.

The Belly Dancer

She danced exotically around the room with her hips rhythmically shaking to the minor melodies of Middle Eastern dance music. This was familiar music to her ears. Music she hadn't heard since being admitted to the nursing home several months earlier. The same music she danced to for many years as a professional belly dancer.

Amel's dance floor now is the room at the end of a long hallway, which leads to a code numbered locked door. Dancing was her passion before she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. It would stand to reason that it still is her passion. But she was unable to tell anyone about it. The disease made her forget.

I handed Amel some brightly colored scarves and finger cymbals at the end of the first song. She looked at me gratefully and smiled. Her slender fingers and wrists slowly lifted from her sides and she danced with graceful expression abeauty. The rest of her body began to recall the fluid movements she had known. She was joyous. Moments before the music was playing she appeared lost, confused and depressed.

Amel wasn't the only one dancing around the room. I also danced with her around the room. Others got off their chairs and moved their bodies exotically. Some nurses and assistants also joined the dance party and moved with rhythmic passion. Stress was nowhere to be found. Happiness was everywhere.

Residents who were wheelchair bound were enthralled with the spontaneous, uplifting performance. The energy in that room was palpable and contagious. Applause and compliments were given after the show. Amel's face was beaming. She was given the opportunity to revive her passion for dancing and passionate she was.

What would life be like if you forgot your passion? Would you want to be given opportunities to experience it again? Would something very significant to you be missing in your life?

How important is it for us to provide everything that is necessary for someone to continue to do what they love and love what they do?

Be well, live well, dance more!