Therapy that releases joy: Dance, movement and disability in the perspective of the experiences of Ballet for All Kids program participants

The text reflects on joy understood as a positively valued emotion, mood and disposition to feel it in the perspective of the experiences of a group of dancers with disabilities, participants of classes organized at the Californian school Ballet for All Kids. Analysis of the report showing the preparations of the dancers for the performance crowning the year-long work made it possible to show not only the therapeutic values of dance itself as a factor shaping self-awareness and strengthening the motivation to act, but also the importance of joy in the perspective of the personal development of the dancers.