Dancing & Memory Goes Hand-in-Hand?

So... How does Dance Connect Us to Ourselves?

As a competitive ballerina, I’ve always felt like dance is so much more than just movement. It’s my way of expressing myself, escaping the world for a bit, and staying connected to something bigger. But I never thought about how powerful it really is until I learned how dance and memory can connect.

That’s when it hit me!!! Dance can actually help people hold on to pieces of themselves that they thought were gone.

My ballet teacher opened my eyes to this in the most unexpected way. She volunteers at a Parkinson’s center and would always share these amazing stories about her dance classes there. She’d talk about how patients who could barely move started finding their rhythm again, or how someone who hadn’t smiled in weeks suddenly light up during a waltz. Hearing her talk about it made me realize just how much I’ve taken dance for granted. For me, it’s always been something I just do, but for them, it was actually...life-changing. Her stories stuck with me and got me thinking, how could I use what I love to make an impact?

The Science Behind Dance and Memory

Dance does something incredible to the brain.

It activates multiple areas at once. The motor cortex for movement, the hippocampus for memory, and even the emotional centers that light up when we hear a favorite song. For individuals with Alzheimer’s, this means that while they may forget names or dates, the rhythm of a waltz or the steps of a childhood folk dance can still feel familiar.

Studies show that procedural memory, the part of the brain responsible for remembering how to do things like tying a shoe or riding a bike, often remains intact even in advanced stages of Alzheimer’s. Dance taps into this procedural memory, creating a way for patients to reconnect with themselves and their loved ones.

Fun Fact: 

Did you know that dance is one of the few activities that engages both hemispheres of the brain? It’s like a full-body workout for the mind, improving coordination, balance, and even mood.

From Ballet to Building a Movement

When I decided to launch CCC, I thought back to the discipline that dance had taught me. I wanted to bring the same energy and connection I felt on stage to the Alzheimer’s community. Our first fundraiser, a pop-up thrift store, was a way to get started, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted to do more than raising money. I want to create experiences that could truly make an impact.

That’s when I thought about the joy I’d seen in my teacher’s Parkinson’s classes. I want to show in my podcast and future initiatives how CCC can make an impact in the Alzheimer's community on a personal level.

Why It Matters

Watching someone with Alzheimer’s light up to a song or a dance move feels like watching a little spark come back to life. It reminds me of those rare moments in ballet when everything just clicks, your body, the music, the stage energy, and you’re completely in the moment. For someone with Alzheimer’s, those moments feel even more magical. It’s like they’re finding a way to connect to a world that sometimes feels so far away.

Dance is steps; but it’s also about memories.

It’s almost like the body saying, “I’ve still got this,” even when the mind might not be able to anymore.

Bringing It All Together

Being a ballerina has always been about connection for me, whether it’s to the music, the people I share the stage with, or even just myself. When I started CCC, I realized I could take that same feeling and turn it into something meaningful for others. Whether it’s through dance, spreading awareness, or fundraising, I’ve learned that even the smallest actions can make a big difference.

So, the next time you hear a song you love, just dance.

It doesn’t matter if you’re graceful or totally goofy; it’s a reminder that movement brings us closer, to each other, to our memories, and to the stories that shape who we are.

Let me know if this story resonates with you or you have anything to add!!!

Lydia Sun, Founder of Cognitive Compass Connections.