Dancing for a Happier and Healthier Lifestyle
Live. Laugh. Dance.
Bringing happiness to all is the sole goal of this project. Our programs and activities are designed to be a catalyst that helps community members learn, enjoy, be themselves, and grow. Join us in Dancing for a Happier and Healthier Lifestyle.
The Project at a Glance
We use dance therapy as a means to bring joy to our communities. We encourage dance to be used as a form of self-expression and exercise as well as a topic for scientific discussion, regarding the neurological and muscular benefits of dance.
Activities
Senior Centers and Nursing Homes
We are working with the Senior Center at the Dulles South Recreation and Community Center. Working with people 65+ we play memory and minimal movement games with a dance twist. Our favorites are Freeze Dance and Dancing Charades!
Assisted Living Centers
We are working with Lake Manassas Assisted Living Center to bring a smile to their residents. Given the age-related restrictions and problems that the residents face, we enjoy working on adapted dance routines, memory games, and Dancing Hot Potato!
Hospitals and Rehabilitation Centers
At rehabilitation centers in the NOVA area, cultural dance routines are the highlights of our visits. Alongside the actual dancing, we teach about the neurological and muscular benefits of dance therapy.
Schools
Clubs at high schools have been started with the main purpose of using dance as a means to alleviate students of mental stress. Workshops are also hosted at local schools, such as India International School.
Local and International Outreach
Dehra Dun, India: Gokul
Dehra Dun, India: Tarang Dance Academy
Virginia, USA: India International School Nonprofit Organization
Nairobi, Kenya
Contact
Get in touch with us to get information on how to start a chapter of Dancing for Happiness and Healthiness. This includes a training manual, dance tutorials, and instructions for dance-related games.
(703)-477-0957
Meet the Founder
Parnika Saxena
Parnika Saxena is currently a student at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. Saxena has always had an affinity for dance, with both her mother, Tanu Shrivastav, and grandmother, Manju Shrivastav, being Kathak dance instructors. A fellow Kathak student at India International School and Girl Scout Ambassador, part of Troop 1191, Saxena decided to combine her love for dance and working with community members to do this Gold Award project. Her greatest hope is to use dance to make those around her smile, just as dance has been her backbone in life!
News
Girl Scout Gold Award Certificate of Achievement
Acknowledged by the White House, Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, and Virginia Senator Tim Kaine
Recognition in tjTODAY
My school's newspaper, tjTODAY, highlighted my Gold Award project.
