Creative Aging: Dance as a Tool for Brain Health with Madga Kaczmarska, MFA
In this episode, we welcome Magda Kaczmarska, a dance artist, neuropharmacology researcher, and executive director of Dance Stream Projects, a nonprofit that promotes brain health through dance.
Magda shares her journey from neuropharmacology to dance, exploring the overlap between systematic scientific research and artistic expression.
She highlights the benefits of dance for brain health, including its impact on vascular and cognitive functions, mood improvement, and empathy enhancement.
Magda also discusses her innovative dance programs for older adults and people living with dementia, emphasizing the therapeutic value and social connections formed through movement.
Join us as Magda enlightens us on how dance can serve as a powerful tool for lifelong brain health and well-being.
00:00 Introduction to Magda Kaczmarska, MFA
01:13 The Intersection of Dance and Neuroscience
04:36 Mental, Physical, and Social Benefits of Dance
05:50 Dance and Brain Health Research
12:35 Creative Aging Programs for Older Adults
13:31 The Importance of Facilitating Dance Safely
14:44 Stories in the Moment: A Dance Program for Dementia
21:57 Personal Reflections and Success Stories
24:49 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Resources:
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To further explore how dance can benefit your brain health, connect with Magda and her nonprofit Dance Stream Projects.
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Explore Magda’s article “Valuing embodiment: insights from dance practice among people living with dementia” online here.
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Connect with Madga on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.
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Magda Kaczmarska, MFA
Founder, DanceStream Projects
MAGDA KACZMARSKA, MFA is a dance artist, researcher, Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health, and a fierce
advocate for dance as a catalyst for brain health. She brings 20 years of experience as a dance artist and 10 years of experience in preclinical neuropharmacology research to inform arts and health intervention innovation, design, and implementation specifically within the field of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, brain health, and creative aging.
Magda founded and currently serves as the executive director of the arts and health non-profit, DanceStream Projects which is based in New York City and has a mission to spark brain health and build creative community through dance and movement.
Through DanceStream Projects, Magda created several award-winning programs which apply evidence-informed approaches to extend brain health to older adults and people living with dementia through co-creative dance.
