What is dance movement therapy?
Simply put, it is dancing like no-one is watching. And, in turn, the free-spirited moves you make don’t just bring you joy, they are also used to enhance your holistic health. The American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA), defines DMT as “A psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote one’s emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration”, and, subsequently, improve well-being.
DMT emerged as a distinct profession in the 1940s, with pioneering works by Marian Chace, who used “Dance for Communication” with psychiatric patients and war veterans, as per the Dance Movement Therapy Association in Canada. Today, dance therapy is used extensively by therapists across the world, including India.
How is dance movement therapy different from regular dance?
This is not a dance class, so you are not taught any styles, and don’t have to follow any routines. You hear the rhythm and spontaneously break into a step. It can be slow, fast, just a tapping motion in the beginning—anything that your body and mind conjure in response to the music. The experts then use this movement, along with your other body language and facial expressions, for analysis and primary intervention.
How is dance/movement therapy effective?
According to ADTA, Dance/Movement Therapy is primarily based on the belief that mind, body and spirit are interconnected and can’t be separated. And that dance/movement is a critical mode of non-verbal communication, which is “expressive, functional and developmental”. Therapists believe this movement can offer great insights into a participant, that can then be worked on for holistic wellness.
Hence, this dance-communication model has much more to it than what meets the eye. In engaging all these faculties, DMT connects the participant to their inner selves and untangle complex layers, and carries the potential to heal on multiple levels.
What can dance/movement therapy help with?
Dance/Movement Therapy is believed to better quality of life by aiding in various areas of one’s being:
- Physical: DMT can be beneficial for heart ailments, such reducing blood pressure and hypertension. It is also found to be effective in improving cardiovascular parameters and health-related quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure, and can even be considered for inclusion in cardiac rehabilitation programmes. It also offers assistance in the overall treatment of cancer. Multiple-researches have concluded that movement therapy can also relieve symptoms of arthritis and chronic pains, support muscular strength, and increase mobility.
- Mental: Experts believe DMT can be potent against depression. A mood-management tool, it is also believed to reduce stress and anxiety, help relax and regulate emotions. According to Positive Psychology, it can help in dealing with issues like eating disorders, loneliness, and fatigue, too.
- Cognitive: Dance/Movement Therapy is a great “non-invasive option that can promote gait and cognition” in patients suffering from Parkinsons. It can also be used as part of treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, as it improves motor skills and cognition deficits. In some cases, it has also proved to improve memory and help in cases of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
- Social: Dance model of communication can enhance one’s self-awareness and interpersonal communication. It is used to battle poor body-image and self-esteem issues as well. Therapists even use it to strengthen group coherence and human relationships.
