Physician hopes to build wellness clubs around dance

Dancing as healthy exercise is a central part of Dr. Ana-Maria Soleanicov’s hopes of starting a string of wellness clubs based on folk dancing, healthful foods and connecting with new friends.

Soleanicov, an obstetrician gynecologist with the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, has taken courses in integrative medicine and has passed the Board of Holistic Medicine examination. She learned folk dancing in her native Romania and sees a connection between the endorphin-releasing activity of dancing and goals of complementary medicine.

An experimental fun, food and fitness event drew a small, enthusiastic crowd to the medical school campus last weekend, giving Soleanicov motivation to try to spread her idea.

“We want to send out a message that wellness is pretty fun,” Soleanicov said. “We’re looking for people who are interested in connecting to enjoy music, healthy food and dance.

“Folk dance is an old-fashioned way to connect, to interact and to feel better — all geared toward well being and illness prevention.”

The Rockford event included Romanian folk dancing and interactive teaching by the Miorita Dance Group of Chicago, belly dancing and interactive teaching by Amarise, harp music by Lois Schlumacher, classic rock and blues, presentations on herbs for health by Liz and Tony Fiorenza, a panel discussion on locally grown foods and demonstration of an interactive Heart Math biofeedback kit.

“There are many old practices, like rhythmic movements, chanting, singing and dancing that can a have a tremendous impact on one’s health,” Soleanicov said. “These are easy ways to maintain health and even heal. They are simple, fun and cheap.

“We have to start educating the educators, our medical students and providers, and then reach out to our patients and our community, about the importance of combining all these simple, cheap and valuable modalities, in addition to teaching people to understand that, without a healthy diet and eating quality food, one cannot feel good and stay healthy.”

Soleanicov said she wants to establish the wellness clubs throughout the University of Illinois College of Medicine system and, then, to other colleges and universities.

Anyone interested in a wellness club may email her at asoleani@yahoo.com.

Staff writer Mike DeDoncker can be reached at 815-987-1382 or mdedoncker@rrstar.com.