At the intersection of art & science

Being Connected to Others Supports Brain Health

Strong social connections are essential for mental health. We, as humans are naturally wired to connect and these relationships strongly influence health. Studies have shown that strong social connections can improve blood sugar, cardiovascular health, cancer survival, and overall mental well-being. In contrast, social isolation is linked to increased risk of depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. Talk with a friend or healthcare provider if you’re feeling this way. They can give you resources to help you strengthen connections and community.

Photo Credits: NYT

Had an amazing time at #VTDITC VOL 65: Breaking's Fundamentals Past & Present Pt. 2 🕺 Grateful for the energy, community, and the chance to keep growing! 🔥

VT students! Want to see how your workout affects your brain? Join our study comparing group vs. individual cycling + cognitive testing 🧠🚴 Scan the QR code if interested!

The Embodied Brain Lab is launching a new research study on the impact of humorous storytelling as clinical intervention for female military veterans! 🪖😂

If interested please contact Dr. Julia Basso at embodiedbrainlab@gmail.com

What an absolutely amazing time at #tracyfest2026! Thank you @tracyandersonstudio for including me in this powerful event where women came together to discuss the healing powers of movement! May we all see each other again soon to celebrate the joys of our bodies and brains ❤️💃🧠🔥❤️ #embodiment #dance #neuroarts

Week 4 of our 6-week Evolutionary Movement Series. This week we'll be looking at homologous movement! 🐸

Huge congratulations to Noor for successfully defending your dissertation! 🧠🎓 Your hard work, dedication, and brilliance inspire us all. Can’t wait to see all the amazing things you’ll accomplish next!

Big day in the Embodied Brain Lab! Tomorrow, our graduate student, Noor Tasnim, will be defending his dissertation. We'd love for you to come join us!

Check out ADDitude's ADHD experts podcast: Movement As Medicine: How Music, Movement, and Dance Transform the Neurodivergent Brain

Dr. Julia Basso talks about how movement, and dance in particular, can improve mood, focus, emotional regulation, and social connections. She also included some simple routines you can follow at home.

Week 4 of our 6-week Evolutionary Movement Series. This week we'll be looking at body-half movement! 🦎

Week 3 of our 6-week Evolutionary Movement Series. This week we'll be looking at head-tail movement! 🦈

Meet the current members of the Embodied Brain Lab! 🥼🪩

Week 2 of our 6-week Evolutionary Movement Series. This week we'll be looking at core-distal movement! ⭐️

Did you watch my episode of @CBSUnstoppable? Leave a👍
if you did! Had such a fun time being part of this awesome show and working with @MirandaCosgrove! #STEM #MissionUnstoppableTV #WatchMeSTEM

Getting very excited for this weekend's episode of @CBSUnstoppable! Swipe to see some photos from the episode. Which is your favorite? #WatchMeSTEM #MissionUnstoppableTV

Week 1 of our 6-week Evolutionary Movement Series starting with the foundation of it all: breath. Every movement begins here. Join us each week as we explore how evolution shaped the way we move

Curious Conversations podcast: Julia Basso talks about mind-body movement

Julia Basso joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about her research at the intersection of mind-body movement and neuroscience, particularly through the lens of dance. She explained how the Embodied Brain Lab explores the effects of dance on brain function, mental health, and social connections.

The Embodied Brain Lab and Virginia Tech Digging in the Crates are partnering for a new, exciting research study on the impact of DJing on mental health 🧠

For more information, follow the QR code or email us directly!

We've been featured on @cbsunstoppable with @mirandacosgrove Our episode came out today on @cbstv

🧠🙏🤸‍♂️

Thank you @cbsunstoppable for an amazing experience! We love you @mirandacosgrove and thank you for your signed autograph!!!

Check it out here: https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/_iDg4PoOhYm2dxDj04nLKf_lfJ_2ZH7h/

#STEM #neuroarts #Neuroscience #MissionUnstoppableTV

@cbsunstoppable
@cbsdreamteam
@geenadavisorg
@figoreilly
@ifthenshecan

Congratulations to Mackenzie Aychman! A super star in sports science who just defended her MA thesis - Examining the relationship between performance, recovery, and salivary biomarkers in NCAA DI American football athletes 🏆 🏈 🎉

Congratulations @maychman - we're so proud of you!!!

#science #football #sportsscience

How does music shape our brains on the dance floor, and why does it have the unique ability to bring people together?

In our new documentary with @_kikelomo_ 🎉 We Become One: The Power of the Shared Musical Experience, @pioneerdjglobal explores the deep connection between music, the brain, and human relationships. This 60-minute documentary takes you across three continents, where top neuroscientists, psychologists, and renowned artists share their insights on the science and magic of musical connection.

As someone who studies how movement, music, and social bonding intertwine, I’m fascinated by the ways music synchronizes our brains and bodies. If you're curious about the neuroscience behind these shared experiences, visit www.embodiedbrainlab.com to learn more.

We Become One is now streaming on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=Gfdoabpi4eGGjWEd...! 🎬

#Neuroscience #MusicAndTheBrain #Dance #Connection #WeBecomeOne #neuroarts

🚀 We Become One: The Power of the Shared Musical Experience 🎶✨

Fresh from our London premiere, this groundbreaking 60-minute film dives into the universal power of music to connect us. 🌍💫

Follow @kikelomo as she embarks on a global journey across three continents, speaking with top neuroscientists, psychologists, and legendary artists to uncover the science and soul behind musical connection.

🎥 A must-watch for music lovers, scientists, and anyone who’s ever felt the magic of a shared beat.

Thank you @pioneerdjglobal for an amazing experience!!!

#WeBecomeOne #MusicAndTheMind #SharedExperience #Neuroscience #PsychologyOfMusic #GlobalConnection #LondonPremiere #neuroarts

It's great to meditate! Our research on the benefits of meditation was featured in @senior.planet from @aarp

Even a brief bout of meditation (10 minutes a day) can improve your mood, boost your memory, enhance your attention, and keep you emotionally regulated and stress free!

Meditation is great for people of all ages, and can be done at any place or time. You can even meditate while you're out for a walk. Pairing meditation with physical activity may help to boost the effect!

Check out our work at: https://seniorplanet.org/articles-its-great-to-meditate/

For a more in depth reading of the findings, read the full article here: https://www.embodiedbrainlab.com/_files/ugd/fec34c_828f067c973f4f40a62e4508d9521037.pdf

🧘🧠🧘‍♂️

#meditation #neuroscience #brainhealth

Our new chapter in Music, Health and the Body highlights dance and it's power to create strong social connection, something we newly call the body-mind-community connection! Thank you Dr. Poonam Bala for a beautifully edited guide on the healing power of the arts!

#dance #neuroscience #danceneuroscience #neuroarts

💃🎼🧠

Grateful for this amazing group of women who dance @virginia.tech! A night out of celebration with these brilliant, passionate ladies! 🩰🙏👭

We're so proud of @maychman for passing her MA thesis proposal on predictors of performance and recovery in American football players! @hokiesfb @vthnfe #football #sportsscience 🏈🏈🏈

Learning to be a next generation leader with the @virginia.tech Provost's Leadership Development Program. Highlights of today include learning about conflict management and active listening and meeting the Provost himself!

I learned that one can use all 5 conflict management styles to their advantage including:
1. Compromising 🤝
2. Collaborating 🙌
3. Competing 💪
4. Avoiding 🕶
5. Accommodating 👍

#leadership #conflictmanagement

A Brazilian Zouk party in class today! Thank you @chynnagolding for your passion and talents!

Teaching Drugs, Demons, & Dancing @dance_uvm - an amazing transdisciplinary course in psychology/neuroscience, anthropology/religion and dance. Right up our alley! Thank you for an amazing experience and opportunity to share our work! You rock! 🙌💃🙏

Embodied Brain Lab at the Virginia Tech Science Festival! Celebrating the integration of arts and science! @vt_icat #neuroarts #neuroscience #art

🧠🌍 Excited to be at the 2024 Society for Neuroscience Conference in Chicago today! Don’t miss our 4 poster presentation presented by @nooretasnim, @maychman, @chynnagolding, and @juliacolette82!

Join us on Monday, October 7th from 1:00 to 5:00 pm to explore how dance can foster mental and physical health benefits through this unique form of exercise. Stop by to learn more about the science behind movement and connection!

Thank you @reneeflemingmusic, @aspeninstitute, and @vt_icat for funding these exciting projects!

Thank you @groundedinmemphis and @courtneykristenliu for the wonderful collaborations!

#sfn24 #Neuroscience #neuroarts #MotherChildDance #MentalHealth #ImmuneFunction #InterbrainSynchrony #Chicago #neuroartsblueprint

An absolutely amazing time at the Raw Science Film Festival with @matthewmodine and @susayegreene! Everyone must see @ddmmfreed and @matthewmodine film on AI, I Hope This Helps. And @susayegreene from the Supremes has the voice of an angel. We were blessed to have her sing for us. Enjoy her amazing rendition of Over the Rainbow! 📽🔬🎭

#rawscience #neuroarts #filmfestival #overtherainbow #wecandoanything

🎉 Just returned from the Raw Science Film Festival in New York City, where we had the honor of receiving the Best in Public Art award for our dance performance Epiphany Machine! This was a dream dreamt by a team of people including Scotty Hardwig, Zach Duer, Daniel English and our wonderful students @nooretasnim, @maychman, @stephenpdiesel, and @chynnagolding!

This journey has been such an amazing fusion of art and science, and I am so grateful to share this passion with you all. 💃🧠✨

Feeling incredibly inspired by all the innovative work showcased at the festival. Huge thanks to the Raw Science Film Festival and everyone who continues to support the power of creative expression! 🙌

Special thanks to @vt_icat for funding this work through an ICAT Major SEED Grant! You're the best!

#RawScience #ArtMeetsScience #EpiphanyMachine #PublicArt #DancePerformance #NYC #CreativeExpression #ArtAndBrain #NeuroArts

The Embodied Brain Lab was invited to teach movement at the 2024 Virginia Tech Black College Institute. #dance #science #neuroarts #movementmatters

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this year's Festival ... We look forward to seeing you all again next year! 💖

Talking about the integration of science and arts! #neuroarts

Yoga for mind, body and spirit! With @sincerelysamma

The Architects are here! Learning and exploring movement improvisation!

Lectures by Dr. Samantha Harden, Constantina Theofanopoulou, and Jennifer Kaylie and the Architects.

We had so much fun at Mountain Lake Lodge today! Thank you to everyone who attended. Come join us for more workshops and lectures tomorrow!

Presentation Keynote by Dr. Madeleine Hackney

First day of SAM Fest!

Wonderful lectures from Dr. Julia Basso, Dr. Audrey Reeves, and Dr. Robin Queen

#neuroarts #dance #science

The Science & Art of Movement Festival is starting today! Lectures at 11 am will be live on Instagram. Still time to join! Learn more at www.embodiedbrainlab.com/festival.

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#embodiedbrainlab

@embodiedbrainlab

Dedicated to the scientific discovery of the body-brain connection

The mission of the Embodied Brain Lab (EBL) is to harness the body–brain connection to improve brain function, physiology, and well-being in both healthy and clinical populations. Using mind–body–movement practices such as dance, yoga, and meditation, we translate neuroscience into embodied interventions that support mood, memory, and social interaction.

PUBLICATIONS

Our research has 2 main goals:

1) To identify the neural and behavioral mechanisms through which mind-body-movement practices optimize brain health and wellness

2) To identify the neural and behavioral mechanisms that optimize motivational engagement in physical activity and other health behaviors

PUBLICATIONS

PODCASTS

MEDIA

Featured on Mission Unstoppable

Media Features

Dr. Basso's work has been featured in prominent outlets such as The New York Times, US News and World Report, Dance Magazine, Psychology Today, ADDitude Magazine, Virginia Living, Tracy Anderson Atlas Magazine, and on the National Public Radio, British Broadcasting Corporation, and CBS's Mission Unstoppable with Miranda Cosgrove.

RESEARCH TECHNIQUES

purple neurons, muted and more focused on electrical activity, more purple_lavendar.jpg

Our laboratory investigates the body–brain connection across biological and experiential scales, from circuit-level physiology to human behavior and neural dynamics in real-world social contexts. Using mobile electrophysiology and hyperscanning techniques, we examine how dynamic social interactions shape brain function during embodied experience.