Training in delivering falls prevention dance

Apply by Monday 17 February, 2025 to join Dr Rosaria Gracia for a one-day training course to learn about falls prevention dance.

Are you an experienced dance artist or teacher with an established practice who would like to develop skills in teaching Dance for Wellbeing to older people inside or outside a care setting? Would you like to have a day working with a dance specialist learning how to teach dance to older people with the aim of preventing falls? 

Whether you are a new dance artist, seasoned dance artist or semi-retired, and looking for a new way to use your skills, this could be an opportunity for you.  

This session, led by award-winning dance and health specialist Dr Rosaria Gracia, is suitable for dancers with some experience of leading dance workshops, but who may want more detailed training in this area. The day will include:

• practical and theoretical learning in a fun, safe environment
• refreshments
• a £50 honorarium for each dance artist taking part

Following this training, there will be the opportunity for one participant to go on and receive mentoring with Dr Rosaria Gracia and to support the fortnightly Falls Prevention sessions as a Dance Assistant that will be taking place at The Dance Space from the end of April.

To apply for a place on the training day and to be considered for the Dance Assistant opportunity please complete this short form by 10am, Monday 17 February, 2025.

This training is part of South East Dance’s Older People’s Programme supported by Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust and The Pebble Trust.

About Rosaria Gracia 

Dr Rosaria Gracia is an award-winning dancer and choreographer, researcher and public speaker. She has expertise in the application of dance and movement in health conditions such as neurological conditions (eg Dementia, Parkinson’s), mild to moderate mental health issues and the aging body. Rosaria has led South East Dance’s Dementia Friendly Dance sessions, Rise and Shine since 2019 and has been an active practitioner in this field since 2006.

She has devised and delivered programmes for Social Prescription (HERA Programme since 2013), and sessions for the Public, Private and Third sectors supporting people to nurture their health and physical and mental wellbeing (since 2012).

Rosaria devised and delivered a 15-month programme with SAMPAD supporting South Asian dancers to take their art and dance practice to health settings. This training consisted of a combination of theoretical and practical days, with a mentoring programme attached to it while the practitioners were delivering in their placements. 

She is a GYROTONIC® (LEVEL 1 AND 2) AND GYROKINESIS ® (Level 1) trainer, OTAGO Falls Prevention Programme Leader, the TARA Approach Certified Practitioner (Tools for Awakening Resources and Awareness), and  is in the process to be certified as a Rediscovery Journey (™) for the resolution of Trauma Practitioner and a TARA Approach Self-Care Teacher.

Rosaria was awarded the One Dance UK Health and Wellbeing in Dance Award in 2022.