Moving 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 Moving 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.
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.
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: Moving 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.
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.
Come join us for the launch of Moving is Medicine!
Instructors: Chelsea, Israel, Karosi, Funmi, and Deborah
Location: College of Pharmacy, Room 124
Date: September 19th, 2025
Time: 12pm - 1 pm
Come join us for our second class with Dr. Arryn Taylor Blaine and dance to K-Pop!
Instructors: Dr. Arryn Taylor Blaine
Date: October 10th, 2025
Come join us for this session of Moving is Medicine, where we will be dancing to Zumba with Kimberly Jackson!
Instructors: Kimberly Jackson
Date: November 14th, 2025
Come join us for this session of Moving is Medicine, where we will be dancing to a fusion of different dance styles and music with Dorothy Moore!
Instructors: Dorothy Moore
Date: December 19th, 2025
Come join us for this session of Moving is Medicine, where we will be having a Wellness Coaching & Mentoring Workshop with Austin Richman!
Instructors: Austin Richman
Date: January 16th, 2026
Come join us for this session of Moving is Medicine, where we will be dancing to modern dance with Dr. Janet Mills!
Instructors: Dr. Janet Mills
Date: February 13th, 2026
Come join us for this session of Moving is Medicine, where we will be doing yoga with Dr. Stacy Taylor!
Instructors: Stacy Taylor, PharmD, MHA, BCPS
Date: March 6th, 2026
Come join us for this session of Moving is Medicine, where we will be dancing to tai-chi prime with Dr. Ejura Salihu!
Instructors: Dr. Ejura Salihu
Date: April 3rd, 2026
Time: 12 pm - 1 pm
Come join us for this session of Moving is Medicine, where we will be dancing to hip-hop with Dr. Arryn Blaine!
Instructors: Dr. Arryn Blaine
Date: May 1st, 2026
Come join us for this session of Moving is Medicine, where we will be dancing to ballet with Dr. Janet Mills!
Date: June 5th, 2026
Instructor: Kimberly Jackson
Date: July 10th, 2026
Time: 12pm - 1pm
Come join us for this session of Moving is Medicine with Dr. Arryn Taylor Blaine and dance to K-Pop/Hip-hop!
Date: August 21st, 2026
“I loved getting to participate in my first movement is medicine class! Getting to step away from my office and dance during the workday was so much fun.”
“I had so much fun. I had a smile on my face the entire time!”
"Movement is Medicine is a fun way of bettering your own health that also helps build community."
"The class was amazing, and this was the first time I felt I connected more with some of the faculty in attendance!"
"It was great to laugh with my colleagues while trying Afrobeat Dance for the first time! The midday activity boosted my productivity all afternoon."
