Among the various modalities that exist for addressing mental health, dance and movement therapy is a unique and emerging form. Despite its growing popularity, a common misconception is that it may not suit everyone since it involves dancing. Not everyone can dance, say the naysayers, implying that movement therapy can potentially make some individuals feel uneasy or unfamiliar, making it ineffective.
Busting this myth, Preethi Rajagopalan, dance movement therapy practitioner, Creative Movement Therapy Association of India (CMTAI), emphasized the freedom it provides to move as you feel, without concentrating on grace or aesthetics.
There are no right or wrong movements
“Dance and movement therapy is the psychotherapeutic use of movements to enhance different aspects of well-being in a person. It includes their physical, cognitive, behavioral, social and emotional well-being,” said Rajagopalan, speaking at Happiest Health’s Mind Matters summit held at the NIMHANS Convention Centre, Bangalore, on December 9, 2023.
According to her, there are no right or wrong movements in dance and movement therapy. “There is no age restriction or a specific way of practicing movements in dance and movement therapy,” she shared. “What you need to do is find your own movements or your personal movement language through which you can express how you feel. Feel free to move the way you like.”
Self-expression through movements
Just as traditional dance forms narrate a story or a tale to the audience through movements and gestures, dance and movement therapy helps express how you feel at the moment. “Whether you are moving gently or intensely, try to focus on your body and pay attention to what it is trying to tell you,” said Rajagopalan.
As one pays attention to physical sensations, movements and bodily experiences, it fosters a deeper connection between the mind and body for holistic well-being. It may also reduce stress and improve self-awareness and emotional expression.
Takeaways
- Dance and movement therapy refers to the psychotherapeutic use of movements to improve an individual’s physical, cognitive, behavioral, social and emotional well-being.
- With this therapy, you can move however you feel without worrying about grace or the overall aesthetics of dance.
- There are no age limitations or specified methods of movement practice. All you have to do is figure out how to communicate your feelings through movements you are comfortable with.
