DanceWorks Helsinki partnered with Mieli – Mental Health Finland during Mental Health Art Week to explore the connection between dance and well-being. Through the premiere of Narcisa and shared reflections on movement, vulnerability, and self-acceptance, we highlight how dance supports mental health by fostering emotional expression, community, and resilience.

Did you know that  dance works   for individuals, groups, and communities in various ways? The benefits of dance are still far from fully utilized. There is wide empirical evidence on the effect of dance on cognitive functions, social relationships, and cultural well-being. Pinja Sinisalo. Photo by Saana Railo For example, a recent study by Hanna Poikonen, Mari Tervaniemi and Laurel Trainor (1) shows that watching a live dance performance in a real-world environment stimulates our cognitive...