What is dance movement therapy?

Dance / Movement Therapy is a type of wellness activity that relies on the use performing arts – dance and movement – for the benefit of your physical, emotional, cognitive (perception, memory, thought), and social abilities.

Dance / Movement Therapy is based on the notion of mind–body unity, which means that physical changes and movements can alter your emotional state.

The process of Dance / Movement Therapy, compared to standard dance classes and physiotherapy, involves creative colaboration with your therapist and your internal reflections about this process.

Dance / Movement Therapy can be recommended to:

• Patients in rehabilitation stage;
  
• Patients with physical symptoms derived from emotional causes;
  
• Children showing behavioral deviations and emotional distress;
  
• Patients with psychological problems;
  
• Patients with physical disability;
  
• Psychiatric patients;
  
• Expectant mothers;
  
• Senior citizens;
  
• People willing to develop their personality;
  
• Dance / Movement Therapy is especially valuable to people with physical disabilities and those who experience discomfort associated with movement.
  

Dance/Movement Therapy may solve emotional difficulties, internal conflicts and relieve stress, as well as improve the ease of communication, self-awareness, and body acceptance. It may help if you experience intense feelings that are difficult to reveal or discuss, or if you are excessively conscious about your body image, unable to relax, or experience unexplained chronic pain. 

Dance/Movement Therapy can be expected to help you shed fear of physical contact, touch, and intimacy, it can provide a safe space to learn how to trust other people. It will be useful if you have lost your confidence and internal sense of strength as a result of injury or traumatic events. 

Dance / Movement Therapy is often helpful to those who have experienced recent loss, crisis, or sudden changes in their life situation. You may feel stuck in particular problems, unable to solve persistent challenges, or have a long-running discomfort about your life that is difficult to explain. You may have difficulty in face-to-face communication.

Dance / Movement Therapy will help to:

• Understand and accept you emotional and physical condition;
  
• Facilitate physical, mental, and emotional development;
  
• Express your feelings in words, improve your self-awareness and acceptance;
  
• Raise your confidence and positive perception of body;
  
• Enhance the quality of movement, coordination, balance;
  
• Eliminate unnecessary tension in the body;
  
• Cultivate social skills, sharpen your communication ability and create foundation for trust in personal relationships;
  
• Explore existential issues (for example, the purpose of life, freedom of choice, responsibility);
  
• Survive loss and become comfortable with uncertainty in life;
  
• Find your internal resources and creative potential.