Throughout Scripture song, dance and praise was used to testify to the things God was doing and to glorify the Creator. When excited, some of us cannot help but sing a song of praise before God, lift up our hands or jump up and down with excitement. Some of us are a bit more reserved and synchronized dancing is not on the top of our ‘to do’ list. Well, do we have news for you!
One of the benefits of the THRIVE experience is you have the opportunity to practice synchronizing with your body and build a group identity using what we call synchronized dancing. This is not a dance contest nor is it an opportunity to perform. Rather this is brain training. There are numerous benefits to singing, dancing and moving around in a group. According to Dr. Daniel Amen in his article ‘Music and the Brain’, Singing in the shower may be healing to your brain. Song has long been known to have healing qualities. You can often tell that a person is in a good mood if they are humming or singing. Song is a true joy of life, no matter how you sing. Singing, worship and praise all have a powerful impact on our well-being and, more importantly, is often used in Scripture to glorify God! Dr. Amen continues to say singing can have a healing effect on the temporal lobes of our brain (regions responsible for music, memory, learning and processing rhythms) and probably our limbic system as well. In his book Making a Good Brain Great, Dr. Amen states that music and dancing enhance the right hemisphere and music specifically integrates the whole brain. (Page 143, 159) Our right hemisphere is the home of our brain’s control center that sits atop the brain’s command hierarchy. In other words, it runs the show and has the last word when you are distressed, so it is a good idea to improve and strengthen this area of your brain! Why not have fun while you exercise your brain and body?
For a thorough teaching on the Biblical significance of dancing, we encourage you to listen to the Munchies Vol. 7 teaching where Dr. Jim Wilder discusses Worship and Dance.
More Information to Come!
Click here to view recommended stretching exercises
Click here if you want to download the dance steps taught at THRIVE 2006
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Check out our Video! Mary Kendall Co-Founder of The School of Worship in Jerusalem |