GROOVING FOR THE GOLD

Grooving for the Gold Junior Parnika Saxena uses dance therapy for her Girl Scout's Gold Award Service Project

Everybody clap your hands. Feel the music. Junior Parnika Saxena has traveled from local senior centers to as far as Nairobi, Kenya, and India to address the therapeutic effects of dance as part of her Gold Award Project.

The Gold Award is awarded to Girl Scout seniors and ambassadors who have made a significant impact on their community, and is one of the highest honors a Girl Scout can receive. The process to complete her project was long, from identifying the issue and creating the plan to taking action to educate and inspire.

“There's many requirements. You have to have something that can be sustained, and it has to be making a positive impact in many people's lives. You choose what direction you want to take it in but once you decide your project idea you're set up with an advisor,” Saxena said. “In terms of how far to take it, I guess there's no limits.” Saxena describes why she chose dance as her project.

“Dance has scientifically been proven to have therapeutic benefits, both for the body and the mind,” Saxena said. “The purpose of the dance exercise workshops that I initiated at senior centers, rehabilitation centers, and schools was to positively impact both the physical and mental health of those who lacked such opportunities to relax, in a constructive manner.”

While at first members of the senior centers were hesitant to participate, they became more comfortable in taking part in the dance after Saxena visited each center a few more times.

“To create an inclusive atmosphere, I incorporated upbeat modern music and interactive dance-related games to make members of my workshop feel comfortable,” Saxena said.

Grooving for the Gold by Anushka Molugu and Tanya Kurnootala

“I created an app that has dance tutorials and instructions for dance related games for people with internet access,” Saxena said. “I also created a website that includes instructions for how one can hold a dance workshop in their local community center, school, senior center, and rehabilitation center.”

In addition to teaching in the Northern Virginia area, Saxena has also travelled internationally to share her project. She visited Dheradun, India to teach students her dance as well as set up a team of students at the Tarang Dance Academy to continue the project after she left.

“The students, including those with physical disabilities, were encouraged to learn fun dance routines and play dance related games. I have trained people to be familiar with my project so that they can start their own workshops at their local senior centers, rehabilitation centers, schools, and hospitals,” Saxena said.

ABOVE: In order to teach the seniors dances that allowed them to enjoy the experience, Saxena used very simple dance moves that were easy to follow along. She demonstrates some of those moves, including hand claps and jazz hands. BELOW: As recognition for her community service project, Saxena was given a badge and certificate. “My project addresses the simple need of bringing happiness to people who are dependent on others by the means of dance,” Saxena said.