| What is Dance Movement Therapy? | | | | during movement. It is similar to the analyzing of a |
| Dance Movement Therapy is a specialization of | | | | dream, and it also helps the client to feel seen. In a |
| traditional psychotherapy. Unfortunately, it is not yet | | | | group session, training is given on how to witness. |
| as widely discussed outside of alternative healing and | | | | Authentic movement is best for highly functioning |
| psychotherapy circles as it should be. Most of the | | | | people. |
| books and websites on the subject are geared | | | | So what kind of sessions would be suitable for less |
| towards the field's professionals or for those | | | | highly functioning people? |
| studying for their credentials. I had the good fortune | | | | The session would be more structured. We would |
| of having an extensive conversation with Dance | | | | work with any of the 5 elements of effort, shape, |
| Movement Therapist Wendy Waxman, who is also a | | | | time weight or space. For example today I had a |
| yoga instructor and the founder of Bodyworks | | | | session with a woman who talked very very fast. It |
| Studio in Tempe, Arizona. In fact, so little information | | | | was even hard to keep up with her. It came up in |
| on the subject is geared towards the uninitiated, that | | | | the conversation that she felt like she never had |
| I was not even able to gather enough research from | | | | enough time. Further discussion revealed that in her |
| which to draw questions prior to our conversation. I | | | | childhood, her relationship with her father had been |
| was able to glean enough information, however, from | | | | cut short. Consequently, she felt the need to always |
| our discussion, to get some insight into this exquisite | | | | be rushing in case she ran out of time. In this case, I |
| modality of healing. So here are a few sound bites | | | | decided to work with the element of time. Se we |
| from our conversation that helped to make Dance | | | | started with music that was really slow and |
| Movement Therapy a little less mysterious to me. | | | | deliberate, and took it from there. |
| What is the reason for and significance of using the | | | | So is there some level of dialogue that happens |
| element of dance in this mode of therapy? | | | | before the dance element of the session begins, that |
| Dance is a very primitive mode of communication | | | | determines how you proceed with each client or |
| that is deeply linked to the human psyche. Although it | | | | group? |
| is now frequently relegated to more of a | | | | Yes. Session starts with a general conversation about |
| performance and spectator event in western society, | | | | what's going on in the client's life and any issues or |
| it is present in every historical time period of every | | | | feelings that may be pressing are discussed. This |
| culture around the world. | | | | determines what elements and emotions we are |
| So Dance Movement Therapy is not about being a | | | | working with and then the music is chosen |
| dancer or being able to "do it right." Both the desire | | | | accordingly. For example, the element of time would |
| and the ability to dance are an innate part of the | | | | involve either very fast or very slow, meditative |
| human experience. It is impossible to "do it wrong." | | | | music. For someone processing anger, I might play |
| Exactly | | | | drum music or even have the client beat on actual |
| So what exactly takes place in a dance movement | | | | drums. |
| therapy session? | | | | What makes Dance Movement Therapy different or |
| There are different types of sessions that are | | | | special from other types of psychotherapy? |
| designed for specific situations and levels of | | | | It allows the client to have an emotional or mental |
| functionality within the individual or group. Authentic | | | | release on the physical level. For example instead of |
| Movement is one such approach. The body and mind | | | | just talking about anger, you also get to punch, |
| are "danced" by the unconscious. This process allows | | | | stomp or beat to release that anger. This makes it |
| one to move the ego or the censor out of the way. | | | | perfect for individuals who may not have the verbal |
| The client enters a sort of waking dream state, in | | | | skills, (e.g. children and adolescents) to articulate their |
| which the process of active imagination, a Jungian | | | | feelings and frustrations. |
| concept, becomes engaged. In this state, the client | | | | Dance therapy is perfect as an advanced recovery |
| follows the imagery that arises, pays attention to the | | | | next step, useful for processing feelings and states |
| quality of the movement and works with the | | | | that one becomes aware of after or during a 12 step |
| metaphors reflected in all these factors. | | | | program, yoga and bodywork, for example. It is also |
| For example, I recently had a session in which I felt | | | | great for people who are developmentally arrested. |
| like I was at the edge of a cliff. Then the quality of | | | | So it greatly complements any other types of healing |
| the movement turned into a sort of floating quality. | | | | work in which you are already engaged. |
| This was a metaphor for being spiritually carried | | | | Although is now clear to me how anyone could |
| through or over whatever crossroads or precipice | | | | benefit from Dance Movement Therapy, what kind |
| that I was converging upon in my own life. | | | | of people would you say tend to be attracted to it? |
| So this leads to the question of whether this is | | | | Yes it is for everyone, but can be especially |
| something that as a therapist or regularly practicing | | | | attractive to creative, intuitive and sensate people. |
| client you could do for yourself, or does a | | | | You will find it particularly useful if you feel |
| professional have to be present? | | | | disconnected and out of touch with your body, stuck |
| Authentic movement usually happens in a dyad, in | | | | or if you are not accomplishing your goals through |
| which you have a mover (client) and a witness | | | | regular therapy. If you are the kind of person who |
| (therapist or other group members when in a group | | | | prefers to take an active role in your own recovery, |
| setting.) The witnessing is as important as the | | | | instead of passively having work "done" on you |
| movement itself. Some movements can be intangible | | | | (which is beneficial in its own way), then Dance |
| to the mover, and feelings may be intangible to the | | | | Movement Therapy would definitely appeal to you. |
| witness. The reflecting back of what is experienced | | | | Any parting thoughts regarding Dance Movement |
| and what is witnessed helps the client to get a whole | | | | Therapy? |
| picture and deeper understanding of what transpired | | | | |