The Power of Dance/Movement Therapy.

When I am asked what is dance/movement therapy? Simply I wish I could answer like that meme can I answer with an interpretative dance? But this is a blog, so I am going to try with words!

What comes to mind when you think of therapy? Perhaps you’re sitting across from a therapist there’s probably a table or two chairs and maybe some comforting photos on the wall.

Now picture this: you walk into a room, tables and chairs are probably pushed to the side maybe there’s a mat on the floor. You’re greeted by a therapist who invites you to move in weird and wonderful ways and chances are the therapist is also moving with you too.

That’s right folks, welcome to dance/movement therapy!

Well the good news is being ‘good’ at dancing is not a pre-requisite for DMT

"But I can't dance!" You may say, "I'm not a good dancer, I can't dance good!” Well the good news is being ‘good’ at dancing is not a pre-requisite for DMT. Dance/movement therapy is not about perfecting dance-steps, the therapy uses the mediums of dance and movement to support social, emotional and psychological health and well being.

Tell me more!

Let's remember, using dance to explore healing isn't a new concept. In fact, it's an ancient practice that's been utilised worldwide for centuries. However, the term "dance/movement therapy" is a modern, Westernised term coined in the 1940’s by dancers and performers who recognised the therapeutic benefits of dance and movement and brought their theories into medicalised settings.

Today, dance/movement therapy is practiced in over 37 countries globally and continues to gain recognition and evolve. I may be biased but I do believe creative arts therapies in particular dance/movement therapy will be a leading therapy in the future (maybe not in my lifetime though) but I can be a part of the small change!

Who is dance/movement therapy for?

Dance/movement therapy is open to all populations/races/genders/ages/sexuality/abilities.

No dance/movement or artistic experience is required.

What can dance/movement therapy support?

• Chronic Pain.

• Low self-esteem.

• Low body-image.

• Sensory/Physical/Intellectual disabilities.

• Dementia.

• Medical illness.

• Neurodiversity

• Social isolation.

• Mental Health- Depression/Anxiety/ other mental health conditions.

• Post traumatic stress.

More than words approach- The Kinaesthetic sense.

Often in traditional therapies we prioritise other senses to discover information such as hearing, sight, sound, touch but in dance/movement therapy, you have the unique opportunity to explore therapeutic goals using your kinaesthetic sense through the art of movement and dance.

Using an embodied approach allows people an opportunity to explore through body positioning, guided improvisation and structured movement new ways to express themselves and relate to others. This also offers a new lens to look creatively at various situations or issues you could be facing.

In dance/movement therapy, there is no right or wrong way of moving

In dance/movement therapy, there is no right or wrong way of moving (unless you are hurting someone or others). This approach frees people from the constraints of what movement should look like and supports people to focus on the feeling and sensations that arise.

Other art forms such as music, art and drama can be utilised to enhance and support the movement experience.

What are the benefits of dance/movement therapy?

ESTABLISHING RE-CONNECTION TO BODY

For individuals who have experienced disconnection from their bodies due to circumstances beyond their control, techniques such as gentle non-goal directed movement, interception (internal body sensing) and developing capacity for expressive movement can strengthen the mind-body connection supporting therapeutic change in the individual.

ENHANCED PERFORMANCE

Methods such as witnessing, building kinaesthetic empathy through mirroring and playing with spontaneous movement can improve stage presence, build creative expression and support a deeper connection to performance.

BUILDING ASSERTIVENESS AND CONFIDENCE

In dance/movement therapy, clients can build self-esteem through actively making choices on how they want to move with guided prompts by the therapist to spark their movement exploration. Building the capacity to move expressively without a focus on perfection can boost confidence and develop self-awareness between the relationship between movement and emotions.

Assertiveness can be built through either postural awareness (playing with postures and understanding mood/associated), stomping (a forceful, weighted and grounded movement) or using the combination of voice/sound to build inner strength.

REDUCING STRESS

Dance/movement therapy (DMT) aids in emotional regulation by balancing the nervous system. Movement can either relax or energise depending on what is needed. For example, techniques such as rhythmic movement can bring us into states of co-regulation or breath work can activate states of relaxation, creating physiological shifts within the mind/body to either enliven or calm.

PLEASURE AND ENJOYMENT

Believe it or not, in dance/movement therapy, movement and dance can sometimes spark feelings of laughter, fun and enjoyment. These physiological responses such as smiling, laughing or feelings of pleasure can invite the movement profile of expansion into the body. This supports spontaneity, playfulness and vitality in ones life.

RELEASE OF EMOTIONS

In dance/movement therapy, people are welcomed to explore a wide range of emotions via movement such as joy, sadness, anger, fear. Using our bodies provides people with a healthy constructive way to explore emotions, leading to release and catharsis for an individual.

MINI EXERCISE

Warm-up

I often find myself eager to dive straight into the flow state of creative expression, much like when I was boogie-boarding on holiday and got carried away by the current because I jumped too early to try and catch the wave.

So, I've realised the importance of warming up to prepare my body for improvisation and creative exploration.

One method I enjoy for warming up at the moment is starting by standing and listening to what part of my body wants to move – eg- my hands – and allowing these impulses to guide my warm-up. This practice helps me tune into my body and prepare for the creative journey ahead.

Here is a movement warm-up that involves connecting with our bodies in an improvisational way and I hope leads to other personal discoveries for you! Have fun with it!

Warm-up

Find a song you really like or an instrumental track you like.

• Start in a position either seated or standing.

• Begin with moving your fingers at your own pace, there is no rush. Notice what direction your fingers are moving.

• Move into the wrists, the elbows, the shoulders. Notice the direction, the rhythm of your movement.

• Invite your hips into the dance.

• Play with the tempo of slow and fast. Notice what you enjoy and what you don’t.

• Take the movement into your legs and your feet.

• Remember your breath and the use of your head.

• Let your body lead the way, follow your impulse.

• What other body parts want to move? Or don’t want to move.

Once the track has ended, notice any small changes or shifts in your mood.

Overall

I am a strong advocate for the use of dance and movement to explore the complexities of humankind and to foster community. In this current climate, I am a firm believer in the use of embodied and creative practices to balance out our hyper-connectivity with technology and the demands of a fast-paced world.

I feel extremely privileged to be a dance/movement therapist and continue to be a part of a legacy who deliver this work.

I’ll leave you with a quote from my favourite dance-movement therapist Trudi Schoop, a pioneer of dance/movement therapy.

“I think when you move, you become involved and you learn to love yourself. When you love yourself you love life, you love others and love life.”

Keen to learn more?

For more information on DMT, visit the directory of dance/movement therapists in Australasia. And if you're in Melbourne/Naarm- here is a shameless plug to look at my website! www.flourish-dmt.com.au