In dance therapy, the body becomes the instrument from which one learns to be comfortable in his skin, leaving his head to find the energy of the child. Dance therapy is the awareness of self and the release of tension and dispute named in memory of the body. Physically, it improves circulation, coordination and muscle tone. Mentally and emotionally, it strengthens assertiveness, revives the intellectual capacity and creativity, and can meet emotions sometimes difficult to verbally express anger, frustration, feelings of isolation, etc..

A dynamic therapy

A session of dance therapy is conducted individually or in groups in a place that resembles a dance studio to a therapist’s office. At the first meeting, the therapist seeks to establish the motives and objectives of the process, then it continues with dance and movement. The movements can be improvised or not, and vary the style of the therapist. The music is not always present in groups, it can be a unifying element, but the silence encourages the pace of research in itself.

To create a climate of trust and complicity and promote awareness of her body and the environment, some therapists use a variety of objects, sometimes unusual, like a balloon of a meter in diameter! Dance therapy can rediscover its anatomy and traces a variety of sensations, feelings and thoughts. At the end of the meeting, we can discuss discoveries and sensations felt during physical work. These exchanges may lead to realizations and guide the next steps in the process.

Deep Roots

Historically, the dance is part of guérison1 rituals and celebration of traditional cultures. In our society, dance therapy has emerged during the 1940s, meets, inter alia, the need to find a non-verbal approach to treat patients suffering from psychiatric disorders. Many pioneers have created their own methods based on different approaches mouvement2-5.

In 1966, the establishment of the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) 7 has allowed dance therapists to achieve professional recognition. Since the association regulates standards of training in dance therapy groups and professionals in 24 countries. In Quebec, dance therapists have joined the Association of Art Therapists Québec15.

Random Posts