Dance on Fire is a new dance school that commenced this year, 2023, with a vision to teach students the skills to help them create art with their bodies through dance, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Dance on Fire uses clean and child-friendly music that inspires faith and goodness. The uniform and costumes are modest and ensure that the dignity of the human person is respected. 

Dance on Fire classes harness techniques from both ballet and jazz to form a solid basis for other styles of dance that will also be used in class (e.g., contemporary, hip-hop/funk). Once there are dances to share, there will be small and large opportunities for Dance on Fire students to present in front of the wider community. The aim is to tell a story using dance that will move and inspire both the audience and the dancers themselves. 

If this resonates with you, then perhaps God is calling you to embrace the flame!

Scientific research strongly supports the benefits of exercise for mental health, with dance emerging as one of the most effective modalities. A meta-analysis published in The BMJ (Schuch et al., 2024) examined the impact of various physical activities on depression and found that dance had one of the highest effect sizes for reducing symptoms. The study analyzed randomized controlled trials and concluded that movement-based therapies like dance can be as effective as traditional treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication.

Additionally, a systematic review by Noetel et al. (SSRN, 2023) explored how different types of exercise influence depression outcomes. The study found that the benefits of physical activity increased with duration and intensity up to the WHO recommendation of 150 minutes per week. Dance, with its structured yet engaging format, provides a natural way to meet these guidelines while also offering cognitive stimulation and social interaction—key factors in mental health improvement.

What makes dance unique compared to other forms of exercise is its combination of physical movement, creativity, and social connection. Unlike repetitive workouts, dance involves learning new patterns, coordinating movement with music, and often engaging with others, all of which contribute to neuroplasticity, emotional regulation, and stress reduction. This multifaceted engagement helps prevent negative thought patterns, enhances mood, and fosters a sense of community, making dance a particularly powerful tool for mental well-being.