An Active Pursuit of Total Balance

“Wellness is an active process of being aware and making choices that lead toward an outcome of optimal holistic health and wellbeing” (What is Wellness, 2021). Six dimensions include:

• Physical: Nourishing a healthy body through exercise, nutrition, sleep, etc.

• Mental: Engaging the world through learning, problem-solving, creativity, etc.

• Emotional: Being aware of, accepting and expressing our feelings, and understanding the feelings of others.

• Spiritual: Searching for meaning and higher purpose in human existence.

• Social: Connecting and engaging with others and our communities in meaningful ways.

• Environmental: Fostering positive interrelationships between planetary health and human actions, choices and wellbeing (What is Wellness, 2021).

Wellness is a proactive approach to preventative care, as opposed to reactionary care, which is commonly practiced in the traditional medical field. Preventative care can hinder negative habits, helping to achieve overall health and wellness more efficiently.

Dancers are accustomed to training their bodies and minds into forming positive habits in technique, musicality, and performing. We learn new skills, work to make them feel comfortable, and then apply them to our repertoire. This same concept can be practiced with creating a wellness mindset.