A friend invited me to a local dance performance last weekend. I hadn’t been in along time and admit I’ve avoided it to some extent. When our lives are impacted by an illness, chronic disease or pain we experience a great sense of loss. The things we used to do and the things we dreamed of doing. For me, dancing is one of those areas of deepest loss for me.

The time I spent dancing was profound physically, spiritually and emotionally. When I haven’t been dancing (training or attending regular classes) attending a dance performance has always been difficult. And even before my mobility issues settled in, there was a real sense of loss. Then, though, I was capable but not participating. For the last while, I’ve had the belief I’m no longer capable.

I was so inspired by the performance that I’ve decided to give it a go again! That I’ll do what I can and that the experience and expression provided by what little movement I can do will still nourish me on many different levels. There’s lots of research to show that exercise can be helpful in managing chronic pain and that continuing to move is important, especially to those of us with mobility issues. So with all the benefits of dance, why not dance therapy.