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What is Dance/Movement therapy?

Meredith Casimiro

Updated: Jun 10, 2024





What is Dance/movement therapy?


Dance/movement Therapy promotes the emotional, social, cognitive and physical well-being of individuals. In other words it is a therapeutic approach that emcompasses the entire Self.


What Can I expect in a a dance/movement therapy session?


My work as a dance/movement therapist ranges from bringing focus to the breath, exploring sensations in the body, using movement as symbol or metaphor to free or self directed movement. In our virtual sessions, movement is optional and will be incorporated when it supports our work together.


How do you put into words, something that may be a feeling, sensation, or experience?

Movement as a therapeutic intervention is unique in that sometimes our feelings or experiences cannot be expressed in words. Using the body or movement lets us access parts of ourselves that may feel stuck, may be too painful to speak or might express unbridled joy and expression. bringing attention to the body in therapy may allow us to "get out of our heads" and connect to the wisdom of our Selves.




Dance/movement therapy promotes emotional, social, cognitive and physical integration of the individual to improve overall health.



When was the last time you danced?

As a way to experience dance/movement therapy right now, I'd like to invite you to engage with a short visualization and movement experiential.


First, close your eyes and turn your attention inward. Begin to bring attention to your breath. Just notice, are you breathing fast or slow, does your breath feel shallow or deep. Simply ask yourself these questions and take note. Don't judge your breath or what you notice, just let it be what it is in this moment. Maybe, just noticing and bringing attention to your breath may begin to shift it. Continue to breathe, and try to elongate each inhalation and exhalation.


As, you feel your body slowing down and you feel your breath begin to elongate, ask yourself this question:


When was the last time I danced?


Now, notice what comes to mind, notice any sensations, images, memories or resistance to this question.


Next, bring curiosity to your body, try to tune in and listen to what it is telling you. Perhaps, you notice a smile on your face, or a sensation in your pelvis. Maybe you feel resistant to the question and you feel yourself backing away from the visualization. Whatever arises for you let it emerge, bring compassion and curiosity to what it is saying.


Now, if you feel comfortable, notice where the sensation is coming from maybe a spiral of the hips, or a rotation of the shoulders, and let it reverberate out. Begin to make the movement larger, begin to sequence the movement and follow it. Maybe you feel compelled to stand up or turn on music.


When you are finished with your dance, bring awareness back to the breathe and notice how you feel now.


If you have a journal near by, write down what you experienced and what feelings arose for you. You may even feel compelled to make art or tell a friend or your therapist about your experience.



Reach out


If you feel curious about your experience, would like to know more about dance/movement therapy, or If you'd like to schedule a dance/movement therapy session, or hear more about how it may support your growth. Schedule an appointment with me today.

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