A Study on the Path Differences between Dance Aesthetic Education and Dance Therapy

Ansheng Shen 1
1 Baicheng Vocational and Technical College,Jilin137000 ,China
1462030858@qq.com
https://doi.org/10.64574/ghss.2026.2.2.3
Open Access

Under a Creative Commons license: CC BY CC BY 4.0

This article is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). You are free to share (copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format) and adapt (remix, transform, and build upon the material) for any purpose, even commercially, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the CC BY 4.0 license, and indicate if changes were made.

Published: 27 Apr 2026

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the core differences between dance aesthetic education and dance therapy. The research focuses on a central question: although both are related to dance, what are the fundamental differences in their goals and practical approaches? Through analysis and comparison, this study identifies a clear distinction in their paths. Dance aesthetic education is mainly an "outward" path, emphasizing the shaping of individual body forms, the enhancement of artistic skills and aesthetic abilities through normative physical training and the study of classic works. Its core lies in the social construction of aesthetic values and cultural inheritance. In contrast, dance therapy is an "inward" path. It does not pursue standard and aesthetically pleasing movements but uses improvisational and spontaneous body movements to help individuals explore their inner world and express genuine emotions. Its core is to achieve personalized emotional guidance and psychological integration. Clarifying this "outward" and "inward" distinction is crucial for the professional practice of both. A clear demarcation helps avoid goal confusion in practice and ensures the effective realization of their respective functions. At the same time, understanding their complementarity also provides new ideas for promoting the all-round development of individuals under the concept of "holistic education" in the future.

Keywords

Dance Therapy; Dance Education; Aesthetic Education Mental health

References

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Issue Information
Volume 2 Issue 2
Publication Date: Apr 2026
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Journal Information
Journal Cover
Global Humanities and Social Sciences
ISSN (Print): 3105-174X
ISSN (Online): 3105-1758
Language: English
Frequency: Quarterly
Founded: 2025