Melbourne seminar to focus on health benefits of Greek dancing

·

Dr Maria Bougiesis will present an online-only lecture about the Greek traditional dance as an alternative form of exercise and a source of well-being on Thursday, July 27 at 7 pm, as part of the Greek History and Culture Seminars offered by the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM).

Delivered in Greek, the lecture will be streamed live on the GCM’s YouTube and Facebook.

In recent years, there has been greater research interest shown in the quality of life and health matters pertaining to dance. Greek traditional dance has been proposed as an alternative form of physical activity for improving a variety of parameters in older adults, like gait balance and cognitive function, as well as stress and emotional management in all ages.

Greek traditional dance is intricately linked with Greek culture and folk traditions, while for Greeks living abroad in the diaspora, it remains an important way of connecting with their heritage and engaging with their identity. Research has shown that Greek traditional dance has a lot to offer both from a cultural and quality of life perspective.

The presentation will discuss the relationship of dance and mainly Greek traditional dance with quality of life and health issues since it is an inexhaustible source of well-being and cultural richness emanating from common people.

Maria Bougiesi.

Maria Bougiesi graduated from the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science of the University of Thessaly, Greece, and her Masters was in ‘Sport Psychology’ at the same university, in conjunction with the University of Jyvaskyla, Finland, and the University of Leuven, Belgium. She continued with her PhD in Greece and the University of Magdeburg, Germany where she worked in cognitive function improvement through dance and exercise in older adults.

Maria uses Greek traditional dance as a means of quality of life and health promotion. She has collaborated with cardiologists organising proper exercise programs through dance focusing on cardiac function improvement. She has taught Greek traditional dance in Greece and abroad during her studies, and since 2020 she has been teaching a course on Greek traditional dance at the University of Thessaly.

Maria has presented her research at both domestic and international conferences and her motto is: ‘Our life is a dance whose rhythm and melody is determined by us’.

Details about the event:

  • When: Thursday 27 July, 7 pm
  • How: Live streamed on Facebook and YouTube
  • Language: Greek

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Earlwood’s Greek spirit centre stage as ‘Plateia’ Festival secures state funding

The City of Canterbury Bankstown will host the “Love Earlwood” festival thanks to the NSW Government’s Open Streets 2025-28 Program.

Greek Consul General honoured at Hellenic Club farewell event in Sydney

Sydney’s Greek community came together on Thursday for a dignified farewell dinner in honour of Greece’s Consul General, Ioannis Mallikourtis

Field of candidates announced for 2025 Greek Community of Melbourne Board election

Greek Community of Melbourne has officially called elections for a new Board of Directors, with members set to head to the polls on June 29.

Australia Cup 2025: Strong Greek heritage club presence as Final 32 locked in

The cast for the Hahn Australia Cup 2025 Round of 32 has been decided following the completion of the Preliminary Rounds.

Apostolakis and Trimis named on Young Matildas squad for upcoming training camp

CommBank Young Matildas Head Coach Alex Epakis has settled on a 32-player squad for a domestic training camp to be held in Sydney.

You May Also Like

Peter Poulos resigns as NSW Parliamentary Secretary

Liberal MLC Peter Poulos has resigned from his position as parliamentary secretary for Wollongong and the Illawarra.

Funds raised for Ukrainian refugees in Greece pays for Greek language classes

The generosity of Australia’s Greek community is already improving the lives of Ukrainian refugees living in Greece.

Germany and Luxembourg to take in migrant children from Greece

Germany plans to take in up to 50 unaccompanied minors staying at overcrowded refugee camps in Greece, while Luxembourg has agreed to accept 12,...