What is Dance Wellness?

Dance Wellness is a program designed by Olga Foraponova for kids ages K-12.  There was a Pilot Program implemented in the Everett School District for Elementary, Middle and High Schools and is about to be kicked off in other school districts. The program can be adapted to many different types of settings.  The program was developed as a means to address issues such as obesity, bullying, anxiety, depression, cutting and more.  It promotes teamwork and respect focusing on developing social and life skills.

 

Dance Wellness is an innovative program that presents ballroom/partnership and social dance instruction as means to promote physical activity, improves self-esteem, increases confidence, self-motivation and personal discipline. While the benefits of dance wellness are applicable to all ages, this program is geared for K-12 school age youth and can include children with disabilities. Classes are intentionally designed to be upbeat and fun. Partnership and social dance provides the catalyst for physical and psychosocial wellness. Instruction focuses on abilities and emphasizes positive gains rather than inabilities or disabilities. Kids learn teamwork and adaptability as partners rotate throughout the class. Rotation is a mandatory element of Dance Wellness classes in order to foster equality and lower anxiety connected with team selection among children with low self-esteem and/or those who are socially isolated. Picking teams can be a flashpoint for humiliation and bullying. As kids work dance together, they often find common ground that leads to valued life lessons -understanding, mutual respect, acceptance – they may otherwise have never discovered.

For more information please contact:  Olga Foraponova – 425-750-4313

  • “It encouraged me to try new things and meet new people”

    Sophomore

  • “It was super rad!”

    Junior

  • “Helps my footwork in sports like football.”

    Junior

  • “It was great dancing with people I never thought I’d talk to in my life and it gives people a chance to get to know others.”

    Sophomore

  • “Olga came to our middle school, Evergreen and put on a dance clinic for our kids. Our students loved it and were so excited each of the 4 days. I was surprised by the overwhelming excitement.”

    Brien Elliot – Evergreen Middle School Physical Education Specialist

  • “It was another way to express ourselves.”

    Freshman

  • “Heck Yes! This was better than P.E.”

    Sophomore

  • “Olga was at Lowell Elementary School for a week of ballroom dancing with our K-5 grade students.  The students really enjoyed it and were excited to show what they had learned at the end of the week when had a show on Friday to demonstrate dances they had learned.  I feel our students were very lucky to have someone like Olga here to give our students the cultural experience of ballroom dancing. Olga did a great job working with all of the students here at Lowell Elementary. The students are looking forward to Olga returning next year for another week of ballroom dancing.  I look forward to her returning also. She is fantastic!“

    Wayne Hagin – Lowell Elementary School Office Manager

  • “Helped to get out of our comfort zone.”

    Freshman

  • “It was exciting, I learned the movements, and before, oh boy I did not know how to dance. It was fun!”

    Junior

  • “The program really helped me to want to continue dance after giving up a year ago.”

    Sophomore

  • “Olga was very professional in her approach and I appreciated her giving my students a cultural experience with ball room dancing. My students are looking forward to next year when she returns for another week of dancing!”

    Craig Langley – Lowell Elementary School Physical Education Specialist