Abstract

Dance is a cultural practice capable of involving the human being in sensory and motor processes, in the social interaction, in the connections between creativity and performance, in the passages between sensations and symbols processing. For this reason, dance cooers as a powerful mediator in embodied learning. Embodied learning is understood as a systemic and holistic process that connects the individual to the environment, through action and knowledge networks. This paper intends to investigate the social impacts of dance through a case-study relating to the «Over Dance», project aimed at promoting and supporting active aging. Form the qualitative analysis results significant semantic categories emerge such as: self perceived wellbeing, awareness, sense and meanings attributed to experience, positive change, also in support of renewed lifestyles, learning and resilience. The data presented in this study indicates how the embodied process, induced by contemporary dance may be able to effectively support the assumption of embodied learning through stabilized frames relating to lifestyles, supporting psycho-emotional and relational well-being, thus also contributing to the strengthening of social cohesion.