Movement is Medicine

About Movement is Medicine

Movement is Medicine (MiM) is a college and community outreach-focused initiative developed by Professor Olufunmilola Abraham. MiM is designed to leverage culturally salient and meaningful modes of expression and movement to improve the health and well-being of communities. MiM provides people with community and space for safe cultural expression. Dr. Abraham began the Movement is Medicine initiative at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Click on this link to learn more about how the initiative got started in Wisconsin. In the CRoME Lab, we recognize that music and movement through dance are more than just sources of entertainment; they are also critical for the health and wellness of individuals and community health.

In the News: Movement is Medicine at UW-Madison
DanceBlue

The purpose of MiM is multifaceted and includes, but is not limited to:

Creating a space for people of diverse backgrounds to gather together to improve social connections through movement-inspired sessions such as afrobeat dance, yoga, and Zumba.
Utilizing peer support to improve brain, emotional, heart, physical, and mental health through movement sessions.
Supporting faculty, staff, and students to promote wellness, and prioritizing wellbeing in the workplace.

DanceBlue at UK

Since 2006, dancing to improve health has been a long-standing tradition at the University of Kentucky, exemplified through the Dance Blue Community Outreach program. As a student-run philanthropy at the University of Kentucky, DanceBlue raises funds and awareness year-round for the fight against pediatric cancer, while supporting patients and families affected by it. Funds raised by DanceBlue support the DanceBlue Hematology/Oncology Clinic at Kentucky Children’s Hospital. DanceBlue culminates in a 24-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon.

Dance is Medicine. Exercise is Medicine. Music is Medicine.

In September 2023, Professor Abraham created and launched the Gospel Afrobeat dance MEdicine (GAME) program in Wisconsin. GAME is a family-friendly bi-weekly program that utilizes afrobeat and afro gospel music to facilitate hour-long exercise and/or fitness dance sessions for kids and adults of all ages in community centers, churches, and schools.

In September 2025, Professor Abraham launched the new monthly initiative at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, “Wellness Fridays: Movement is Medicine.” Every month, faculty, staff, and students gather for an hour to connect, move, and support each other's fitness, health, and wellness goals.

MiM Wellness Coaching & Mentoring Workshop

Kick start 2026 with our first-ever MiM Wellness Coaching & Mentoring Workshop on January 16. This is a dynamic three-hour wellness training designed to boost your energy, focus, and long-term health. We will explore accessible and effective ways to uplevel holistic wellness through fitness, nutrition, sleep hygiene, and stress management.

In this event, you can expect accessible and inclusive movement where we will do light yoga and share practical fitness strategies, exploring a range of topics from cardio and strength training to mobility, balance, and mindfulness. We will also dive into nutrition and eating for optimizing health and cognitive function, as well as offering stress management tools and sleep strategies you can start using right away. Come ready to LEARN, MOVE, and leave with simple, powerful steps to support your performance, health, and longevity.