Mind-body: Positive psychological effects of adult ballet education

ABSTRACT

This research aimed to investigate adult ballet education in Korea by observing its relationship with positive psychology attributes. Participants included 230 adult females who received over three years of adult ballet education with the Vaganova Method, which highlights artistry. The questionnaire in this study related to how ballet education pertains to the positive psychology of Seligman, and to satisfaction, motivation, and changes that occurred after participants began training. Overall, the questionnaire showed high average scores; the highest average score was for the question on continuous participation in ballet sessions. The correlation analysis showed that positive psychology and ballet education were strongly related, based on which we concluded that we can understand and cause positive change to an individual’s psychological environment through ballet education. Participants’ written responses were placed into four categories: yearning for ballet (self-esteem), muscle formation (active lifestyle), classical music (understanding the body), and music and dance (psychological energy). The data illustrate that adult ballet education in Korea may prompt positive psychology by enhancing factors such as relationships, interests, confidence, and daily energy. The study proves that health and artistic skills may be gained through ballet education, a useful form of art for people in modern society.

KEYWORDS:

• mind-body
• positive psychology
• ballet education
• adult ballet
• psychological energy

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge two teachers, Hanna and Ceolsun, and their students, who successfully ran the program. Additionally, we would like to thank Editage (www.editage.co.kr) for English language editing.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethical approval

The entire process of this study was conducted with approval in advance from the Pusan National University Bioethics Committee (PNU IRB/2019-77-HR).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a Humanities Social-Science Arts Journal Research Promotion of Pusan National University.

Notes on contributors

Jungsuk Kim

Jungsuk Kim is a Lecturer, Liberal Arts Education, Pukyung National University, Pusan, Republic of Korea.2005 Pusan National University Ph.D. she is a lecturer and art director in Arte June. She is deeply interested in the relationship between the psychological paradigm of dance, the artistry of dance, and its possible popularization. She plans to continue her research by utilizing a macro-level approach. Email: [email protected]

Sookwang Choo

Sookwang Choo is a Professor, Dance Department, Pusan National University, Pusan, Republic of Korea. 1984 Master's degree at Ewha Womans University. She is a ballet professor and choreographer. She lectures on educational dance, dance psychology, dance theory, and practice classes at Pusan National University. She is also an artistic director at the Busan Ballet Research Association. Email: [email protected]