DANCE FOR VETERANS
an integrative approach to build and sustain physical and mental well-being
In its tenth year, Dance for Veterans was co-created by Christine Suarez in partnership with Drs. Robert Rubin (Chief of Psychiatry at the West Los Angeles Veteran’s Administration Health Care System), Donna Ames (Director of the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center-PRRC) and teaching-artists Kristen Smiarowski and Sarah Wilbur. Presently Christine teaches veterans throughout the Greater Los Angeles VA HealthCare System and trains VA clinicians the pedagogy of the Dance for Veterans program. Dance for Veterans classes offer veterans with various health conditions (from mental illness to dementia to traumatic brain injuries) a vital and safe space to reclaim bodily authority, creative expression, strengthen social bonds and improve wellness.
VETERAN TESTIMONIALS:
“I feel energized and relaxed.”
“This (class) is something I can look forward to.”
“Dancing reminds me that I’m still alive.”
Christine has received four Artist in Residence Grants from the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs to deepen her work with veterans and expand the veterans she reaches. In 2018 she was able to offer workshops specifically to women veterans and support a public sharing of their work together.
Dance for Veterans feature from KCRW:
http://blogs.kcrw.com/whichwayla/2014/11/los-angeles-veterans-find-therapy-in-dancing