The Dance of Resilience - by Ember Reichgott Junge (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In the same vein of Wendy Suzuki's Healthy Brain, Happy Life and Peter Attia's Outlive, this inspiring narrative weaves together personal narratives, interviews, and cutting-edge science to explore the power of partner dance in transforming lives.

Energetic living. Mental sharpness. Social interaction. Emotional well-being. Scientifically proven benefits for people living with depression, dementia, and Parkinson's disease. The Dance of Resilience reveals how these are just some of the many ways partner dance transforms lives.

Through extraordinary stories of ordinary people across the human spectrum--woven with her own candid experiences--award-winning author and legislator Ember Reichgott Junge shows how partner dance sparks self-discovery, fosters a healthier lifestyle, and offers a powerful antidote to today's growing "epidemic of loneliness."

But Reichgott Junge goes even further, building a compelling case that dance should be recognized as an essential part of our insured and public health care systems. What if your doctor could prescribe twelve dance sessions--covered by insurance--to help ease anxiety or enhance cognitive function?

Step into The Dance of Resilience--and discover your hidden resilience as you enter an unexpected life of purpose and heartwarming possibility.

Review Quotes

"Dance is for everyone. The beauty of it is simple: If it makes you feel good, you're doing it right. Are you thinking about dancing? This book will help you stop thinking and start moving!"--Alan Bersten, Dancing with the Stars

"Rarely is a book both timely and timeless. This vibrant book turns our notions of dance upside down. It shows us that the secret to purposeful aging isn't to focus on oneself but to partner with others. Every generation needs a clarifying call to dance. This is that book that can change your life and might even save it."--Richard Leider, author of The Power of Purpose, Repacking Your Bags, and Who Do You Want to Be When You Grow Old?

"This is a powerful testament to dance as a force for resilience and recovery. These stories echo what scientific research increasingly shows: Partner dance improves quality of life. It's an inspiring call for integrating dance into mainstream health and well-being practice."--Dr. Peter Lovatt, dance psychologist and author of The Dance Cure

"The Dance of Resilience is a powerful testament to how movement changes people. Through shared connection and courage we discover healing, joy, and our deepest strength. This inspiring book beautifully illustrates how dancing with others can lead us back to ourselves."--Bonnie Burton, former Regional District Director, USA Dance, Inc.

"The Dance of Resilience powerfully reveals how dance boosts brain health and mental well-being. With inspiring stories and compelling science, it makes a clear case: Dance isn't just movement--it's medicine. It's a must-read for anyone passionate about wellness, aging, and community healing."--Wayne Eng and Maria Hansen, leaders at Dance Vision Foundation

"The Dance of Resilience brilliantly tells the story of the power of ballroom dance and how far-reaching and impactful it is. Health insurance carriers and self-funded employers need to get fully on board with their support and walk the talk. It's the #1 activity that supports brain and physical health!"--Jeanie LaFavor, Vice President of Sales, HealthEZ

"As a physician and musician, I've seen how music and movement can improve brain health and physical well-being. This book is an overdue call to action for policymakers and health leaders to bring dance and arts into our insured and public health systems to help reduce costs for everyone."--Dr. Alan Siegel, cofounder of Social Prescribing USA

"I firmly believe dance is both a beautiful art form and a fitness pathway for people to get into the best shape of their lives. Ember weaves together heartfelt stories with proven results, creating powerful testimony that dance is both."--Louis van Amstel, Dancing with the Stars professional and founder of LaBlast Fitness

"In my years as a professional competitive dancer and coach, I've not seen a resource like this: remarkable, heartfelt life stories to inspire the beginner or veteran dancer. If this well-written treasure doesn't inspire you to pick up your dance shoes, I don't know what will!"--Jaimee Tuft, World and US professional ballroom dance champion

"Ember has woven together a compelling and accessible narrative that highlights the deep, transformative power of dance across diverse communities and health contexts--including the Dance for PD community I help lead. I hope her clear-eyed exploration of dance as an art form and as public health inspires more partnerships between the dance world and the medical community."--David Leventhal, Program Director, Dance for PD(R) at Mark Morris Dance Group

About the Author

Ember Reichgott Junge, former Minnesota state senator, journalist, and nonprofit executive, is an attorney and broadcast political analyst. She is an alumna of the international cast of Up with People and a late-blooming ballroom dancer. Her first book, Zero Chance of Passage, won the 2013 Grand Prize for Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards and was cited as an expert resource in a 2025 US Supreme Court case. Ember is a graduate of St. Olaf College, Duke University Law School, and University of St. Thomas (MBA). She and her husband Michael Junge commute between their Hutchinson and Minneapolis, Minnesota, homes with their schnauzer Maya.