BYU dance professor Kathleen A. Monson (BA ’96) loves seeing people of all generations on the stage. Her research is focused on dance conditioning and longevity—how movement benefits us as we get older. “Don’t ever give up your motion,” she says. “Because once you go fully sedentary, it’s very hard to come back.”
What are the benefits of movement as we age?
A : It’s obvious that movement is good for the body, but it’s also great for the brain. Regular exercise, especially dancing, can help with neuromuscular health. Movement can reduce the risk and slow the progression of common diseases like Parkinson’s and dementia. It’s one of the best ways to keep up mental health and cognition. There is also something to be said about the skill building and artistry of movement. The confidence and passion you gain from developing a skill are irreplaceable. And if you choose to perform, society benefits from the added artistry, storytelling, and representation.
What if I don’t like to exercise?
A : I teach a class about muscle sequencing—moving your body in a way that helps you understand that one body part is attached to another, which is attached to another. You really can’t separate the body into separate pieces: They’re always conjoined. There are a lot of things that you can do to create these muscle sequences that don’t necessarily look like exercise. Just becoming more aware of the connectivity within the body can increase your stability and mobility. Like I tell my students, coordination is more important than strength.
How can I stay motivated to keep moving?
A : Find something you enjoy. You can make goals to lose weight or gain muscle, but if you hate the kind of movement you’re doing, you won’t meet those goals. The thing you enjoy is going to be the thing that keeps you there. And don’t forget that there are seasons in movement. It’s okay if you used to love running, but now you hate it. Find something new that you enjoy and go forward with that. Embrace the adventure of finding a new passion.
