Dancing Through Life: A Guide to Living Well

by Ann Parkinson

Dancing Through A Guide to Living Well is a book that aims to empower people to be able to live well and takes an integrative approach to health & wellbeing. It is written by Ann Parkinson, who is a Physiotherapist & Coach, and she has also learnt to live well with pain herself. It is a combination of professional expertise, evidenced based practice and personal experiences. It is a practical guide that explores different aspects and concepts that can help you to look after your health and wellbeing. This book could be helpful for anyone who is struggling to live well due to a health condition and anyone who is interested in looking after their health & wellbeing. An overburdened healthcare system combined with a society that encourages us to always want more, to be striving for the next goal, show we are strong and can cope with things like less sleep and moving less, are some of the reasons why this book is needed. There are practical exercises throughout the book to aid learning and understanding as you read. These practices could help you in a number of ways, including build greater awareness of mind and body; nurture compassion; manage stress; sleep better and to move with more ease. The book contains information and practices to empower you to explore how you can make changes to support your long-term health & wellbeing and live authentically (aligned with your values). It is not intended to replace individual care and advice, if you are struggling please seek the help of a suitably trained professional.Reviews ‘Ann’s experience of being both a person with persistent pain and a healthcare professional working with persistent pain shines into every corner of her new book. In the first sentence Ann writes of empowerment. Wow, this sums up her entire approach. As a person in pain I find her style empowering, her information supportive all wrapped up in a kind approach. An approach to writing and communicating complex information on pain in an accessible format. The section on PACE’s & SIM’s is full of practical, achievable ideas. These are inspiring. A unique inspiration to finding a positive outlook for life. I’d say these nuggets of advice would be achievable and realistic for all life whether in pain or not. The personal story of Ann brings authenticity to her compassion and understanding of pain. As a person also in pain the most attractive part of Ann’s writing is the interactive element. The inviting practices are a key element to living in a life with pain, but without suffering. The message that flows throughout is undeniably helpful; compassion, flexible persistence, movement and practice.’ Ruth Barber, Yoga Teacher, living with pain.'Nobody asks to experience pain or ill health, yet we will all experience both at times in our life. For some, pain and other symptoms may persist and become a part of our life. In this book, Ann skilfully and compassionately outlines how it is possible to continue to live a fulfilling and meaningful life without the fight against symptoms that can sometimes take up all of our energy. The book brings together expertise in exercise and health with up to date neuroscience and the wisdom of ancient traditions. All of this diverse information is woven together in an accessible way to provide good advice from an author who has extensive experience of using the approaches that she outlines both with her own personal pain and that of people who seek her help. I would thoroughly recommend this book to anybody who is looking for a new way of negotiating life in the best way possible despite physical challenges – it is likely to provide you with new insights at each reading.’ Dr Chris Penlington, Clinical Psychologist and Lecturer, Newcastle University.

465 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 22, 2020