Beyond the body: Psychological tools for performance enhancement and well-being in dance

The Royal Society of Medicine is holding an event named 'Beyond the body: Psychological tools for performance enhancement and well-being in dance' on Friday 29 November at the Birmingham Hippodrome. Also aimed in partnership with Dance UK the event aims to provide introductions in topics in dance psychology, providing applied information to improve practice in dance environments and health contexts for dancers. An insight into further education, resources and treatment in dance psychology will also be gleaned by delegates, complementary to work in any dance discipline. During the day a series of events will take place. Dr Joan Duda, Professor of Sports Psychology at University of Birmingham will begin the proceedings with Dance psychology: Perceptions, history and milestones. Also touched on will be psychological challenges of dance training and careers, perfectionism and dysfunctional achievement striving in performing artists from Dr Howard Hall, Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology at St John University and eating disorders and comorbid mood disorders in dance from Dr Jon Arcelus, Consultant Psychiatrist and Visiting Professor in Eating Disorders, Loughborough University Centre for Research into Eating Disorders (LUCRED). The psychological topics to be covered are extremely relevant, such as, career transition and identity. Within this section Lana Ashton will talk about the psychology of injury, Career transition and identity from Jennifer Curry, Director of Development, Dancers' Career Development, Isabel Mortimer, DCD Beneficiary, certified Personal and Executive Life Coach CPCC, ICF endorsed Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, and Organisational Relationship and Systems Coach Psychological tools will also be disseminated throughout Beyond the body: Psychological tools for performance enhancement and well-being in dance to improve well-being and performance in training and careers. Dr Dave Collins, Institute of Coaching and Performance will present The psychological keys to developing talent in dancers, the role of passion in dance participation and performance will be discussed by Dr Imogen Aujla, Senior Lecturer in Dance & Course Leader MSc Dance Science, University of Bedfordshire and the motivational climate: introduction, overview of the research, impact on health and well-being will be led by Dr Eleanor Quested, Research Fellow, University of Birmingham. The meeting is intended for dancers, teachers, support staff and sports and dance medical practitioners.