COURSE INFO & FAQs
Dance for Health's instructor courses are initially two days that provide theoretical research-based knowledge about needs, key factors and methodology as well as the practical tools you need to start the activity in your context. Then follows a boost day within a year with method reminder, competence development, discussion & inspiration.
Before signing up for the course, you should have anchored your plans with the relevant employer and established cooperation with student health/medical services for the recruitment of participants, medical responsibility and, if possible, funding. The recommended implementation model includes free and safe participation for the target group you want to target. Below are frequently asked questions and answers.
Who can take the course?
Four prerequisites for becoming an instructor in Dance for Health = 1. Education in health care / medicine or pedagogy. 2. Experience of leading dance in groups. 3. Having a plan for collaboration with student health / health care institution for recruitment and medical responsibility. 4. Good psychological well-being (both to be able to convey security in the future instructor role and to have the capacity to cope with course participation and own planning). In addition to these four points, experience in dealing with the target group you will be working with is of great value.
How to apply for a course place?
Apply for the course you are interested in in the course calendar. Fill in the form; basic information about yourself and your skills, about how and where you intend to work with Dance for Health. Note that each person applying for a course place must fill in the registration form (it is not possible to register several people at the same time via email). You will receive an answer to your application within a maximum of 7 days. The form also has a box for the billing address, but it is not mandatory to enter it when applying, but at least 5 weeks before the start of the course.
Cancellation rules?
You can cancel your place free of charge up to 5 weeks before the start of the course. Cancellations made 3-5 weeks before will be charged with 50% of the course fee. Cancellation 0-2 weeks before the start of the course will be charged with 100% of the course fee. In case of medical certificate no charge.
What is included in the course price?
The price is stated in the information in each course, click on the course you are interested in to see both info and price. The course fee includes training material, both digital and in course compendium, written course certificate and lunch and coffee on both course days. In addition to the basic course of 2 days, an additional boost day is included in the course price. The purpose of the boost day is method reminder, competence development, discussion and inspiration and it is offered about 3 times a year (you choose which date during the year that suits you best). The course price includes a 12-month account in 'Dansportalen' - a web portal for trained instructors that offers a choreography bank, documents and networking (valid from course day 1). You also get access to Dans för Hälsa's generous network in Sweden (today over 700 trained instructors), entry into a closed FB group, may use Dans för Hälsa's logo, get a place on Dans för Hälsa's map, and that you get access to Dans för Hälsa's digital questionnaires for evaluation free of charge (incl. support) during 2023.
is it only for young people?
Dance for Health's method has been scientifically evaluated for young people, girls, 13-18 years old, recruited via the school health service. This is the most method-specific scientific data available to date. However, the method has proved to be appreciated and work well for younger and older ages, for mixed groups, and within other organizational frameworks - hopefully more research on more target groups will come in the future. In the meantime, since there is evidence that physical activity as such provides good health benefits for mental health problems, there are no obstacles to offering dance for other target groups and adapting it as needed. Please contact anna.duberg@dansforhalsa.se if you have any questions.
is it only for girls?
Discuss which target group is relevant to you and how you want to target your Dance for Health initiative. What local needs exist and what resources do you have? Maybe you want to target "young people", maybe you want to offer specifically to girls and non-binary people. You decide this based on local needs.
is it research?
Dance for Health is based on the "Dance Project", a study conducted in 2008-2011. However, the Dance for Health method is available to use without being part of scientific evaluation. In 2021-2023, data collection is also ongoing for a new study of health effects of the Dance for Health method, initiated by the University Hospital Research Center, Region Örebro County (ethical approval Dnr 2021-04227). Until 2023, NI who work with young people as a target group have the opportunity to contribute to the research, information about procedure and consent, etc. is given on the instructor course. Data is collected through digital questionnaires in Entermedic, a system that you as a Dance for Health instructor get access to free of charge.
IS IT dance therapy?
No, Dance for Health differs from dance therapy in several ways. Dance therapy has a deeper therapeutic character and is more often carried out individually, coupled with conversations. Dance for Health and the Swedish Association for Dance Therapy have a good collaboration.
is it really possible to implement a new method in existing activities?
Yes, it is. Dance for Health is a unique and good example of this. However, it is important to know that it takes time, collaboration and planning, especially before and during the start-up. See "Getting started". The instructor will be a central person in the implementation process, but you should not be alone. Check with your manager and those who will be recruiting participants. Talk to key people in the municipality, network. Check the "Here we are" map for several good examples that are already underway. Network with the neighboring municipality? Let the planning take place in a composite working group of important key people (you as an instructor + representatives from the student health team at the nearby school + financier, e.g. responsible principal / manager). You will receive support during the instructor course and you will be able to use all the material that you get access to through the Dance Portal, so good conditions exist! Good luck!
Questions about courses and invoicing: anna.duberg [@] dansforhalsa.se. Questions about how to get started can also be asked to someone in the Team Dance for Health.
said about the course
"I had been looking forward to the training for a long time and it met all my expectations. You are clear and inspiring in your way of being and communicating, which makes me very inspired myself. Good mix between theory and practice. The dance moments were the best. Then I get a sense of what it will be like in a class with the students. I wanted to know more about your research and how I should think in the meeting with the students I will meet, how I should set up a class with the different moments. I feel that I got answers to what I wanted and a little more. I feel ready to move on in my work as a dance for health instructor. Thank you so much for a fantastic few days!"
"I am so incredibly impressed with both the content and the "user-friendliness" of the Dance for Health method. The whole thing is permeated by Quality!
It is noticeable that Implementation has been a central goal and that really good conditions have been created in the DFH method. Generous is also a word that comes to me, which increases both the desire and the opportunity to take the work further.
You who work with this can see that you are passionate and you really inspire.
As a physiotherapist, I was so happy and proud the first time I saw DFH, which was a report in Physiotherapy about Anna Duberg being awarded the Golden Scalpel. It is great, but also very well deserved!
It has been very fun, interesting and inspiring to participate in the course!"
"Professionally and clearly organized with a great mix of background, facts, research and methods. The methods are so concrete and at the same time enable and open for own input. Very inspiring! Meaningful!"
"Thank you so much for last week's course! You are an absolutely fantastic course leader and lecturer. And an inspiration! I have seen many in my days and you are among the best I have seen. In addition, you have such an incredible concern for everyone and gave so much of yourself. And not least, what research and what a brilliant program!"
"Fantastic days! I have told my colleagues and my two managers (primary care and UMO) that these course days have been the two most meaningful course days I have attended in my career! The connection with body and mind through movement, touch and relaxation together with the community that emerges is so helpful.
I feel incredibly proud to be an ambassador for Dance for Health! THANK YOU for the opportunity you created!"
"With my professional foundation in dance as an art form and dance education, the course gave me a clear research connection from a health perspective. Something that strengthens much of what I already do and want to continue to clarify with the help of Duberg's research. The course has a wonderful focus on highlighting what is healthy and possible in people. Dancing can really be a powerful way to prevent mental illness - when we who invite to the dance work consciously with content, arrangement and leadership. An incredibly wonderful and life-giving course! Duberg's dance enthusiasm and professional competence permeates everything!"