Dance Therapy: The Benefits of Movement and Expression
Movement is a vital part of life. We move to express ourselves, feel joy and connect with others. Dance has been used for centuries as a form of therapy and can be highly beneficial to mental and emotional health.
In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of dance therapy and how it can help improve your well-being. We will also look into the different types of dance therapy and how you can get started.
So let's get moving and explore the wonderful world of dance therapy!
What is Dance Movement Therapy?
Dance movement therapy (DMT) is a type of psychotherapy that uses movement and dance to achieve emotional, mental, and physical health. It is based on the belief that mind and body are connected, and that dance can be used as a tool to heal.
According to the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA), dance therapy unifies and coordinates the body, mind, and spirit to promote all aspects of wellness.
It can be used to address a wide range of physical and mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and chronic pain.
The movement gained traction in the 1940s when dancers and dance educators realized that body movement could be used as a form of psychotherapy.
How Dance Movement Therapy Works
Dance therapists are trained to understand the connection between mind and body. They use this knowledge to create movement sequences that can help people heal emotionally and physically.
A dance therapy session usually involves a mix of improvisation, dance, and music. The therapist will often give clients specific tasks or movements and encourage them to express themselves freely through dance.
Dance therapy can be done individually or in groups. It is typically done in a safe and supportive environment, such as a dance studio or therapy office.
A technique called mirroring is often used in dance therapy. This involves the therapist and client dancing together, mirroring each other's movements. This can help build trust and rapport between them.
Dance therapists advise individuals to keep track of their bodily feelings or instruct particular actions or vocal therapeutic techniques to promote emotional and physical healing.
How Dance Movement Therapy Helps With Mental and Physical Health
Since dancing involves nonverbal communication, proponents believe it can help people express themselves in a way that words cannot.
Dance therapy can help with the following mental and physical health issues:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- PTSD
- Eating disorders
- Body image issues
- Trauma
- Chronic pain
- Poor self-esteem
Some treatment centers, like eating disorder recovery centers, offer dance movement therapy and music therapy as part of their programming because dance can be used as a tool for self-expression and healing.
Additionally, a study from the journal The Arts in Psychotherapy stated that dance movement therapy positively affected patients diagnosed with depression.
Of course, further research is still needed to understand the full extent of dance therapy's benefits.
Benefits of Dance Therapy
The psychotherapeutic use of movement and dance can offer a range of benefits. Here are some of the potential benefits of dance therapy:
Helps with stress management
A person's movements can reveal a lot about their emotional state. Dance therapy can help people become more aware of their body language and how it affects their mood.
A qualified dance therapist often teaches stress-reducing techniques, such as deep breathing and relaxation exercises, that can be done both in and out of sessions.
Improves self-esteem and body
Body image is something that dance therapy can help with. Dance can help people become more comfortable and improve their body image.
A dance therapist often uses mirroring and positive reinforcement techniques to help clients feel good about themselves.
Enhances creative thinking
Since dancing is associated with creative self-expression, dance movement therapy can help people tap into their creative side. This could potentially help with problem-solving in other areas of life.
Dance therapists often encourage clients to use their imagination during sessions and come up with creative ways to express themselves.
Builds Social Skills
The physical integration of dance therapy can help people build social skills. The therapeutic relationship between the dance therapist and the client can also help develop social skills.
Dance therapy groups provide a supportive environment where people can practice interacting with others, share their feelings, and give and receive feedback.
Builds Self-Awareness
Dance therapists work to help clients become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. Dance therapy can also help people become more aware of how their movements affect their moods.
Dance therapists also often teach techniques like mindfulness and grounding, which can help people become more aware of the present moment.
Getting Started With Dance Movement Therapy
If you are interested in dance therapy, you can do a few things to get started.
Here are three tips that can help you get started with dance movement therapy:
1. Research thoroughly
Even though dance is considered a form of therapy, it is important to do your research before you start. This is because dance therapy is not right for everyone.
It is vital to make sure that dance therapy is right for you and that you are comfortable with the dance movement therapist you choose.
You can do this by reading about dance therapy and talking to people who have experience with it.
You can also look for dance therapists who are qualified and accredited by the American Dance Therapy Association.
2. Find a dance movement therapist you trust
When looking for a dance therapist, finding someone you feel comfortable with is crucial.
You should feel like you can trust your dance therapist and that they have your best interests at heart.
It is also important to ensure that your dance therapist is qualified and has experience working with people with the same goals.
You can ask for recommendations from people you know or look for dance therapists online.
You can also read reviews of dance therapists to see what other people have said about them.
3. Set realistic goals
Before you start dance movement therapy, it is important to set realistic goals. This will help you and your dance therapist to focus on what you want to achieve.
It is also essential to be realistic about how much time and effort you are willing to put into dance therapy.
If you are unsure of your goals, you can talk to your dance therapist about what you hope to achieve through dance therapy.
Conclusion
Dance movement therapy (DMT) has been found to improve mental health, physical health, and social functioning.
If you want an enjoyable and rewarding way to improve your well-being, consider giving dance therapy a try.
Many different types of dance therapy are available, so it is sure to fit your needs.
Get started today and see dance therapy's tremendous benefits on your life!
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