Dance and Medicine
Research into the interfacing between the principles of Chinese medicine, dancer’s health, and creativity.
The Dance and Medicine research project by Zuna Vesan was carried out between 2016 and 2022 in collaboration with numerous institutions that invited her to teach. It was an intensive process working with professional artists as well as amateurs, people interested in healthy movement, Qi Gong, or the art of dance. The research was conducted on an international scale through seminars, creative workshops, and practical investigations with students from various countries around the world.
Research objectives:
- To systematically map the needs and health challenges faced by dancers, provide effective solutions, and above all, raise awareness about prevention.
- To offer a holistic approach to maintaining health based on the principles of Chinese medicine and Taoist philosophy, respecting the natural laws and logic of energy transformations in the body throughout the year.
- To apply knowledge of the energetic system linking organ function with specific body structures (bones, muscles, joints, and more).
- To provide an integrated perspective through both practical and theoretical seminars that connect dance education with the insights of Chinese medicine — including lectures, discussions, blogs, and professional articles.
Book outcome of the research:
The book The Tao of Movement, which summarizes the findings of the project and offers the perspective of Chinese medicine on maintaining health under physical strain. It addresses injury prevention and treatment, mental balance, working with Qi, yin-yang, and the five elements. It also includes descriptions of the meridians, practical methods for working with them through movement, and chapters on nutrition with recipes.
Read about the book