A healthy body and soul come from an unencumbered mind and body.
~Ymber Delecto
~Ymber Delecto
As I write this blog about dance, the final one in my series of creative art therapies
for self-healing, I keep hearing the uplifting melody and rhythms from the well known musical The King and I, specifically, the song, "Shall we Dance." In my mind, I can visualize Anna and the King happily waltzing around the room as if they didn't have a care in the world. It makes me happy to think about this. Dancing does that to us, it gives a sense of freedom and abandonment, and lets us focus on the present allowing us to forget about problems that are inhibiting our well being.We are just beginning to realize the importance of dance and other creative therapies. Some tribal cultures have realized the importance of making a connection of body and mind for centuries. They were the first to use dance as as a way to rid themselves of evil spirits and thus restore their bodies to physical and mental health.
Therapists have known for a long time that the practice of dance not only allows us to get in touch with our own bodies, but it gives us confidence. We are able to 
express ourselves in an acceptable manner. By incorporating dance therapy into a prescription for improving mental health, a counselor is able to make an assessment of how we relate to the world around us, by the way we move. It also allows us to get in touch with locked up emotions and innate talents. For instance, when someone is timid, it shows through body posture such as not making eye contact, slouching, looking down at the floor, etc. A therapist will use this insight to set up a beneficial course of treatment. An effective way to break this pattern might be to have the person move to uplifting music thus eliciting feelings of freedom and lightness.
express ourselves in an acceptable manner. By incorporating dance therapy into a prescription for improving mental health, a counselor is able to make an assessment of how we relate to the world around us, by the way we move. It also allows us to get in touch with locked up emotions and innate talents. For instance, when someone is timid, it shows through body posture such as not making eye contact, slouching, looking down at the floor, etc. A therapist will use this insight to set up a beneficial course of treatment. An effective way to break this pattern might be to have the person move to uplifting music thus eliciting feelings of freedom and lightness. Dance therapy may be practiced on an individual basis, or with others. In a group ensemble, each member is encouraged to express their emotions or life 
circumstances freely through improvisational movement and or dance. Depending on the type of music played, its rhythm and melodies may elicit various emotions such as sadness, anger, or joy. The participants express these feelings through movement. In some group therapy sessions, the members may each have an opportunity to dance by themselves as the others watch. The counselor and group members may offer their insights. The dancer will then have chance to discuss how he/she felt about their performance. In this manner subconscious thoughts will become conscious and issues that are causing mental anguish can be dealt with and hopefully alleviated. Each gathering usually lasts for an hour and may occur once or twice weekly for about 8-10 weeks.
circumstances freely through improvisational movement and or dance. Depending on the type of music played, its rhythm and melodies may elicit various emotions such as sadness, anger, or joy. The participants express these feelings through movement. In some group therapy sessions, the members may each have an opportunity to dance by themselves as the others watch. The counselor and group members may offer their insights. The dancer will then have chance to discuss how he/she felt about their performance. In this manner subconscious thoughts will become conscious and issues that are causing mental anguish can be dealt with and hopefully alleviated. Each gathering usually lasts for an hour and may occur once or twice weekly for about 8-10 weeks. While at home, if you are angry, tense, anxious, or joyful, you may move to the beat of your own drum, and feel the sense of freedom that dancing can bring. Speaking of
drums, dancing to the steady rhythm of percussion instruments can be an all consuming experience. Your body sways to the tempo of the music allowing you to experience a myriad of emotions. If this is done in a group session, the therapist or other members usually play the drums.Exercises Used in Dance Therapy
Dance of Freedom
- Group members are encouraged to express a strong emotion such as anxiety, anger, sadness, grief, depression, etc. Through improvisational movement they would interpret this feeling, and then show a way to discard it leaving it behind.
Dance of the Animals
- Emulating animal motions such as the gracefulness of a deer, the silent movement of a stalking feline, or the soaring of an eagle is often used in dance therapy sessions. The group members are encouraged to imitate an animal of their choice. These movements bring back memories of childhood that can be expressed in an imaginative and creative way.
Dance therapy is not only good for grown-ups, it is an excellent way to have children
get in touch with
their feelings. They are less inhibited than adults and their natural
curiosity allows them to benefit from this type of activity.
get in touch with
their feelings. They are less inhibited than adults and their natural
curiosity allows them to benefit from this type of activity.If you decide to participate in a dance therapy class, make sure the counselor has been properly trained, and licensed, as feelings that are aroused may be unexpectedly overwhelming.
Reference
The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers,
Pittsburgh, PA.
CD Cover, The King and I
