Theta oscillations are associated with movement during choreographed and improvised dance - a case series with Memphis Jookin': The Show.
Noor Tasnim, Alana Hutchinson, Daphne Gyamfi, Krishna Makani, Grace Nobriga, Julia Basso
Research square January 5, 2026 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8398609/v1 via PubMed
Summary
Flow, a state of deep immersion linked to better performance and well-being, was studied in professional Memphis Jookin' dancers. Six dancers reported high levels of flow and greater interoceptive awareness than people trained in other mind-body practices. Two dancers wore EEG caps; one showed theta-band activity during dance across several brain regions, including the posterior cingulate and supplementary motor area. Resting-state functional connectivity increased after dance across theta, alpha, beta, and gamma bands. The findings suggest street dance elicits robust flow states with distinct patterns of brain activity and connectivity, highlighting dance as an embodied practice relevant for health.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 6 |
| Population | Professional Memphis Jookers |
| Keywords | Connectivity Dance EEG Flow Interoception |
| Key finding | Professional Memphis Jookin' dancers reported high flow states and elevated interoceptive awareness, and EEG data showed prominent theta-band activity during dance and increased resting-state functional connectivity afterward. |
Abstract
Flow is a psychological state of deep immersion and engagement associated with enhanced performance and well-being, yet its neural correlates remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated whether flow is experienced during Memphis Jookin', a street dance style originating in Memphis, Tennessee, and examined its behavioral and neurophysiological signatures. Professional Memphis Jookers (N = 6) completed validated self-report measures assessing flow, interoceptive awareness, and embodied responses to movement. Two participants wore 32-electrode electroencephalography (EEG) systems while engaging in choreographed and improvised dance, observing other dancers, and resting state. Independent components were localized using dipole modeling for one participant, with spectral parameterization and functional connectivity assessed. Dancers reported high levels of trait and state flow and demonstrated elevated interoceptive awareness compared to individuals trained in other mind-body practices. Theta-band activity was prominent during dance across regions including the posterior cingulate gyri, inferior temporal gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, paracentral lobule, supplementary motor area, and Rolandic operculum. Resting-state functional connectivity increased after dance across theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands. Together, these findings suggest that street dance elicits robust flow states accompanied by distinct patterns of large-scale brain activity and connectivity, highlighting dance as an embodied practice with translational relevance for health and well-being.