Photo: J.C. Rojas / Flickr

In 1980, Dr. Joel Lebed introduced dance to as a form of therapy to the Albert Einstein Medical Centre in Philadelphia, and found that it helped survivors of cancer with their recovery. Now, the Lebed Method is used to help people recover from all kinds of illness, and is taught worldwide, in over 550 hospitals and centres in the USA, Canada, Indonesia, Korea, Australia, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas. Healing with the the Lebed Method is also used across the UK, and is perfect for anyone who enjoys dance and music.

Who it’s for

The Lebed Method, a mixture of dance and physical therapy, is used to help people with breast cancer, multiple sclerosis, lymphoedema, arthritis, chronic fatige, fibromyalgia, and other diseases. For both men and women, healing with the Lebed Method is a gentle and fun way to get some exercise and help your body recover from illness. Sherry Lebed Davis, who helped design the programme, referred to Lebed as a celebration: ‘It releases endorphins and helps the participants forget their fears and have fun,’ as reported in The Telegraph.

What a class looks like

Photo: lololomo / Flickr

A Lebed class is usually an hour long, and always starts with ten upper body movements that help get the lymphatic system moving. This is sometimes followed by lower leg movements, which are done sitting down. After a water break or two, members of the class follow a series of routines that develop over the length of the course, which lasts for six to eight weeks.

Backed by science

In March 2005, the results from a study on the Lebed Method by the University of Connecticut Medical School were released, concluding that healing with Lebed significantly improved the quality of life of cancer survivors. A more recent study published in a well-known medical journal also showed that Lebed reduces depression, stress and anxiety in anyone who takes part. So, you don’t have to have a chronic illness to feel the benefits of dance.

So put on your dancing shoes, and go to the Lebed Method UK website to find out more.

Tags: dancing fitness, keeping fit, staying healthy