The Potential of Dance as a Tool for Enhancing Mindfulness

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore mindfulness in various dance practices. Specifically, it examined: i) levels of mindfulness, and ii) differences in mindfulness among recreational practitioners of tango, modern/contemporary, and Greek traditional dance. The research was conducted with adult participants from dance schools, studios, and clubs in the Attica Region of Greece, who engaged in tango, modern/contemporary, and Greek traditional dance classes recreationally during their leisure time. A total of 229 dancers (189 women and 40 men), aged 17 to 60, completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale by Mantzios, Wilson and Giannou (2015), which consists of fifteen items. Responses were provided on a six-point Likert scale, and the scale's reliability was successfully tested. According to the first hypothesis, high mindfulness scores among dancers indicated a positive relationship between mindfulness and dance, with the Greek traditional dance group displaying the highest levels of mindfulness. Regarding the second hypothesis, statistically significant differences emerged across the dance practices. Practitioners of tango and Greek traditional dance exhibited higher levels of mindfulness than the modern/contemporary dance group. These findings suggest that participation in social dance forms may enhance participants' awareness and focus on the present moment. This study aims to broaden the ways dance movement can be practiced and taught in dance schools, studios, and clubs.