Dance Therapy

Disclaimer: This information is in no way intended to be a substitute for modern medical care. Do not self-treat any medical complaint without the guidance of a licensed health care provider.
June 7, 2000

      Society is just now starting to recognize the therapeutic benefits of the creative arts - music, painting and dance. Dance in particular, is quickly becoming a popular method for bridging body and mind. Ironically, dance has been a part of healing rituals in most cultures for centuries; some tribal societies even credited it with the power to drive away illness-causing spirits, purifying the body and soul. This idea remains, to some extent, in the philosophy behind dance therapy. Those who practice this technique believe that dance not only teaches people to become more in tune with their bodies but also encourages them to become more self-confident.

      Through movement, people have a safe way to express emotions. By observing how people work within a pre-established pattern of movement or even how they improvise, a therapist may help people understand their relationship to others, the environment and themselves.

A Sense of Freedom
      Through dance therapy, it is possible to get in touch with blocked feelings and hidden abilities. People who tend to be withdrawn, for example, will often physicalize their shyness by slouching and making inhibited moves. A specific dance theme - for example, the rising sun - or even certain inspirational music can break through these kinds of rigid postures, often eliciting feelings of liberation. This new experience is then processed with a therapist's help.

The Treatment
      Dance therapy is offered both individually and in groups. The participants express their feelings or life situation freely, or as instructed, in dance. These experiences are then discussed in conversations with a dance therapist or psychotherapist. Sessions generally last for one hour and take place once or twice a week over a period of 8-10 weeks.

The Effect
      The rhythm and melody of the music may inspire feelings - melancholy, joy, anger or eroticism - in the body and spirit, which are expressed physically by the dancer. The therapist and members of the group watch as an individual dances, and then they discuss their perceptions with the dancer. The dancer has an opportunity to talk about his/her feelings, and in this way emotions that may have been submerged will become conscious, and stressors that are at the root of emotional problems and psychosomatic illnesses are able to be recognized. Therapists should be properly licensed and trained, as some of what is uncovered in sessions may be intense.

Around the House
      You can use free movement at home to express yourself when you're feeling especially angry - or even joyful. Choose music that appeals to your feelings and release your energy with dance.

Choosing the Music

Drums
      Dancing to the rhythm of percussion instruments can help facilitate a particularly intense experience. The dancer quickly falls into the rhythm and the body is carried by it. Drums are usually beaten by the other members of the group or by the therapist. With changes to the tempo and volume, the dancer is encouraged to try new, expressive movements and rhythm possibilities.

Free Improvisation
      The dance is done to music personally selected by the dancer; there are no rules governing the choice. Most often instrumental music is preferred for free association and flowing mood. In general, the dancer's choice of music is a piece that suites him/her intimately.

Dance Therapy Exercises

Dance of the animals
      The imitation of animal movements in dance (the smooth stalking of a cat, the flight of a bird, the leap of a gazelle) is an exercise frequently used in dance therapy. The participants are asked to represent an animal that they would like to be. The dancing is often reminiscent of childhood - it brings movement into play and strengthens imagination and creativity.

Dance of liberation
      Participants are specifically asked to show a situation that causes strain and to free themselves from it. For example, a participant could use movement to imitate a depression, which s/he then throws off, tramples and leaves behind.

Dance in the group
      Coming together with other dancers is important in dance therapy. In the group dance, the participants move freely through the room. They can experiment with both nearness and distance by harmonizing movements with each other in pairs. In this way, it's believed that they can recognize and accept social needs and fears.

Sources:
      All information provided in this article is the result of research using (but not limited to) the following books and guides: Herbs for Health and Healing, Rodale; Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham; Magical Herbalism, Scott Cunningham; The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers; Earthway, Mary Summer Rain; Teach Yourself Herbs, Susie White; Natural Beauty from the Garden, Janice Cox; Nature's Prescriptions, Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing, and The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies, Joe Graedon and Theresa Graedon, Ph.D