Dance Therapy Essay

Dance is one of the most beautiful, expressive forms of art known to mankind. It expresses joy, love, sorrow, anger, and the list truly goes on for all the possible emotions that it can convey. Dance not only can express how one feels, but it can tell a story or even be used to praise a higher power. Dance has intricately played an important role to every culture over the course of time. Two forms of dance that have not only stood against the test of time but have influenced the development of other various styles of dance is none other than Classical Ballet and Modern Dance.

important foundation in understanding the broader scope of how dance can be seen as a

The many exercises and careful directions that Winton-Henry provides will make it easy to incorporate dance into practice for both individuals and groups (Winton-Henry, 2009). Whether a client is dealing with trauma, life purpose, breathing, or meditation, there are ways to blend movement with talk and facilitate healing. Winton-Henry also includes may internet resources and suggestions for further reading that will be helpful in practice.

I went through years of physical therapy. I did routines throughout the day under the supervision of a physical therapist assistant to regain my movement in my arm. I believe that as a physical therapist assistant, I will be able to provide therapy for all types of individuals through many different arrangements of activities. As a physical therapist assistant I want to bring dance to the forefront as a major therapy

“If we’re not acknowledging all of these benefits of dance, then there’s a therapeutic modality that we are ignoring that exists there,” said Ali.

My whole life has been of dirty mirrors, old ballet shoes, and ripped tights. I was 5 years old and a beginner at a dance academy. I didn’t quite know what dance was when I got in, I thought it was just a place to spend time in and just enjoy the music they played. Over the years I learned that dance is way more than just a hobby or a place to go when you are bored. It is art, you are the one making art. Your feelings are the story to your dance, and your moves are the music. People will see your pain or happiness through these ways. Dance is not just a hobby, it’s an art, it’s something that you don’t actually have to throw music at when the steps and feelings you add are the music to your dance.

This level of learning is used throughout life as a child for learning/developing and as an adult for social purposes and building relationships. I felt that this article gave me a superior understanding of the ways a community can change a group of peoples lives through dance and learning. This article made me feel aware of the ways my nephew moves and learns. As a child, I took dance classes and after reading this article I realized how dance helped me develop into an adult. This article inspired me to understand that a child needs activity and I hope to promote that for my children one

As I have participated in dance class, I have been able to express my feelings. Additionally, after dance class I find that I am able to see the bright side of situations. With these great benefits of dance, I was not surprised to find that there is an occupation known as a Dance Therapist or Dance/ Movement Therapist (DMT) that helps people improve their overall well being through Dance/ Movement Therapy. To be more specific, Dance/ Movement Therapy is “an exciting field of health that provides emotional and physical support for clients and individuals,” according to the article “Career Profile Dance Movement Therapist” by About.com Careers. Dance therapists bring therapy and dance together and create a space where people can express themselves.

Dance is the beginning of the unit and therefore serves as an introduction to mental and emotions.

CAMS are divided into five different categories: biological, manipulative-body, mind-body, energy, and alternative medicine. For example, dance therapy would fall under the manipulative-body based interventions, while mind-body interventions encompass alternatives like poetry, art, or music, and yoga would be an example of mind-body interventions and manipulative-body. Participants in music therapy have reported improved quality of life, and yoga therapy has been shown to lead individuals towards motivation to health improvement. As well, dance therapy has been proven to improve body image, coordination, body awareness, depression, anxiety, and stress relief; as well, sexual abuse survivors have used dance therapy to reconnect with their body by coping and processing, as well as give them a sense of freedom from their trauma (Complementary and Integrative, n.d.).

The benefits of dancing as a physical exercise are well researched, widely understood, and as a fitness, mobility and weight management tool, it is a multi-million dollar industry. Less studied and acknowledged are the benefits on our mental functioning, self-awareness, psychological well-being, self-confidence, self-expressions, concentration, social skills, etc.

What is dance? Dance is defined as lively movement using one’s body with or without music. Dancing means to feel someone existence to feel vitality, joy, and most importantly to feel alive. Anyone can define dancing as whatever they would like, but how is dance useful to our lives? Whether you are a ballerina from birth or if you are newly introduced to the art of dance, everyone can dance some way, shape, or form. Dance therapy provides psychological and physical benefits. It helps connect body and mind as one giving support to become rooted and balanced. In order to be centered and grounded while moving your body, a dancer must be in tuned with the center of gravity in relation to the earth. Dance therapy is also a great way for people

Outside of medicine, I spend my leisure time dancing and choreographing. My love for dance and music stems from my early childhood. I recall listening to Disney songs and “choreographing” dance moves – moves that appeared as uncoordinated, but exquisite loose wiggles. As a result of my parents’ high expectations and strict upbringing, dance was an important activity because it served as a safe haven away from the stress and pressure I felt as a child. Dancing was, and is still, my source of joy and amusement.

Dance therapy is a type of psychotherapy that uses movement to further the social, cognitive, emotional, and physical development of the individual. Dance therapists work with people who have many kinds of emotional problems, intellectual deficits, and life-threatening illnesses. They are employed in psychiatric hospitals, day care centers, mental health centers, prisons, special schools, and private practice. They work with people of all ages in both group and individual therapy. Some also engage in research.

“ Dance is the hidden language of the soul” ( Martha Graham). Dance is nonverbal and is often used by many people as a language. All people can tell emotions by dancing even beginner and amateur classes. In the world, there are many kinds of dancing, for instance, jazz, ballet, and samba. Each dance has completely distinct parts because all region`s cultures gave influences to each dance style in the past time such as classical Japanese dance and salsa. Furthermore, many people dance as entertainments and exercises and can trace many cultures by practicing dancing. Dancing is a necessary for people`s lives. The reasons why people dance are working as professional dancers, learning cultures and histories, and dancing with friends.