Dance Therapy or Movement Psychotherapy
Written by Julie Taylor
Dance Therapy or Movement Psychotherapy Sessions...
Therapy that's real fun - I find myself smiling for the whole hour.
Dance therapy, movement psychotherapy or dance movement therapy is the therapeutic use of movement and dance for "emotional, cognitive, social, behavioural and physical conditions". In short, it's a perfect fit for ReBuildingYou and satisfies the Emotional, Physical, Cognitive and Joy elements of rehabilitation. Dance movement therapy strengthens the body/mind connection through body movements to improve both mental and physical well-being. As a form of expressive therapy, dance therapy is founded on the basis that movement and emotion are directly related.
Learn to Salsa Dance DVD - There's nothing quite like going to an actual live class... But to help you learn the steps (and it may well take you a little longer) and to practice, this DVD is great (soon we'll have our own!) ReBuildingYou depends on your support to grow - BUY HERE - the prices are exactly the same and you'll be supporting your RBY at the same time. Click on the images or on the blue words to see more...
The ultimate purpose of dance therapy - as well as being a fun and uplifting pastime - is to find a healthy balance and sense of wholeness in the process of rehabilitation and growth. Some work is one-on-one - but a side benefit of group lessons is the social aspect - the opportunity to make new friends and to deepen relationships you already enjoy. It's also a good opportunity to relearn 'how to be' in a social setting.
Dance Lessons 101: The Ultimate Couples Dancing Instruction Video for Beginners (Shawn Trautman's Dance Collection) - the best and simplest dance instruction DVD out there - perfect to have in a care-home. ReBuildingYou depends on your support to grow - BUY HERE - the prices are exactly the same, Amazon is a completely safe and trustworthy website and you’ll be supporting RBY at the same time. Thank you! Click on the images or on the blue words to see more...
Since it’s birth in the 1940’s, dance therapy has gained popularity and has been taken to more serious and beneficial levels. Over the years, the practice of dance therapy has progressed and changed with the times. However the main principles that founded this form of therapy have remained the same. Influenced by the “main principles” of this therapy most dance therapy sessions are configured around four main stages: preparation, incubation, illumination, and evaluation. I will explain these four stages further at a later stage. In addition to these 'emotional and behavioural' benefits, I would like to talk about some physical, cognitive and social benefits that I've discovered and which I will do now...
There seems to be a certain amount of 'working in the dark' when it comes to rehabilitation from brain injury - as a field, neuro-rehab is changing hourly. Brain injury can be a result of stroke, heart attack, accidents, chemotherapy and a side effect of other diseases and treatments. What I 'stumbled upon' was not only very interesting but has also proved to be nothing short of miraculous. Cognitively I find it difficult to distinguish right from left or to remember a sequence of steps. I find it difficult to co-ordinate the simultaneous movement of different parts of the body ie hands, head, arms, legs 
and feet and my resulting body movements were somewhat jerky and awkward-looking. With music and repetition though it seems as if my muscles themselves are remembering how they have been asked to move. It has taken many months of repetition but there has been a significant improvement in my posture and the fluidity of my movements. On top of this I have learned to dance and those dance lessons have added to the quality of my life.
Recently I have been involved in the use of dance - regular salsa dance lessons - with several people disabled in different ways. In every case there has been a very visible change - and improvement - in the smoothness of movement. In every case there has been a significant increase in self esteem and an opportunity to work on the social skills that are often lost with long term illness or injury. There are also a number of purely physical benefits including stretching, isolating, co-ordination, strengthening of muscles, increase in the grounding of ones own body in its space and an increase in stamina - which is one of the biggest benefits I've found.
Organizations such as the American Dance Therapy Association and the Association for Dance Movement Therapy, United Kingdom maintain the high standards of profession and education throughout the field. Dance therapy is practiced in places such as mental health rehabilitation centers , medical and educational settings, nursing homes, day care facilities, and other health promotion programs. This form of therapy - which is taught in a wide array of locations, which I would like to see expanded - goes further than just centering the body. Specialized treatments of dance therapy can help cure and aid many types of diseases and disabilities. Other common names for dance therapy include DMT, movement psychotherapy and dance therapy.
I've not found many specific dance therapists where I live, but there are many types of dance lessons - most of which are equally beneficial. Enrol in a beginner level and go with a caregiver who can help you to take part in the lesson. At times when I've really struggled with balance issues, just the firm and constant touch of a hand on my waist has enabled me to find my center and move more confidantly. In time my muscles seem to take over and I no longer need the hand. My progress is much slower than a 'normal' student but I've really enjoyed the fact that at the start of a batch of new beginner lessons I no longer stand out because of my spasticity or inability to move. Now I'm an advanced beginner?! It's a good idea to let the teacher know if there are limits to your participation - and important to have a caregiver with you. I look forward to seeing you on the dance floor!
Learn to Salsa Dance DVD - There's nothing quite like going to an actual live class... But to help you learn the steps (and it may well take you longer than some people) and to practice, this DVD is great (soon we'll have our own!) ReBuildingYou depends on your support to grow - BUY HERE - the prices are exactly the same and you'll be supporting your RBY at the same time. Click on the images or on the blue words to see more...
