Dance. The word itself conjures images of dazzling performances, viral social media trends, and perhaps even a bit of self-consciousness for those who feel they “can’t dance.” We see it everywhere – on TV, YouTube, and across social media platforms. Dance is often perceived as purely entertainment or art. This media-driven perception creates stigmas, assumptions, and even fears around the very idea of dance. For many, the thought of dancing, let alone considering it for healing, feels daunting. Some individuals even experience a trauma response at the mere suggestion. Bullying, shaming, and teasing related to dancing abilities can create deep-seated anxieties, turning social events like weddings into panic-inducing scenarios.
However, if we strip away these preconceived notions, we find that dance is fundamentally human. It’s an activity we’ve all engaged in, a primal language that predates spoken words. Before we could articulate our needs verbally, we danced to express ourselves, connect with others, and simply feel alive in our bodies. Formal language hasn’t replaced this intrinsic form of communication; it has, in many ways, overshadowed and disconnected us from the body’s inherent wisdom. Crucially, the majority of our communication is non-verbal. During times of high stress, anxiety, and trauma, the verbal centers of our brain can go offline. Movement, the very essence of dance, remains a constant. Trauma profoundly impacts not just our minds, but also our movement patterns. Ignoring this physical dimension in healing means missing a vital piece of the puzzle. It’s time to recognize that Everybody Body Dance Now is not just a catchy phrase, but a fundamental truth about our inherent capacity for healing and expression.
What is Dance/Movement Therapy?
Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) is a recognized psychotherapeutic approach that emerged in the United States in the late 1940s. It harnesses the power of movement to foster an individual’s cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and even spiritual well-being. The concept of healing through dance is far from new. Indigenous cultures, ancient scriptures, and timeless stories across the globe are rich with examples of dance as a healing practice. DMT doesn’t aim to replace these traditions but rather to build upon them. It champions the idea that everyone possesses the innate ability to express themselves through movement and deserves to be seen, validated, and accepted for who they are, beyond just their thoughts and words.
While DMT certainly offers an avenue for creative expression, communication, and emotional release through dance, its core focus lies in addressing deep-seated movement habits and patterns. These patterns are often shaped by early experiences and adaptations for survival, especially in the face of trauma. Drawing inspiration from researchers, somatic practitioners, and educators, DMT uniquely embodies Dr. Bessel van der Kolk’s profound insight: The Body Keeps the Score. Movement, as we’ve established, is our body’s first language. Early movement experiences are foundational to developing our sense of self, identity, and our capacity for relationships and attachment. When we seek personal growth and healing, revisiting these early movement patterns becomes essential. DMT provides a therapeutic mirror reflecting our initial experiences with ourselves and the world. By understanding how trauma, whether early or later in life, has shaped our bodies and movement, DMT utilizes movement to reshape both mind and body, fostering not just survival, but thriving. This is about empowering everybody body dance now towards a healthier future.
How Does Dance/Movement Therapy Work?
The therapeutic process in DMT often involves moving in relationship with a trained somatic mental health professional – the dance/movement therapist. This dynamic interaction brings maladapted movement patterns into conscious awareness, facilitating both visual and cognitive processing. A key element is kinesthetic empathy. The therapist attunes to their own bodily sensations in response to the client’s movement, fostering a deeper connection and strengthening the therapeutic alliance through shared movement experiences. It transcends simply dancing to express oneself; it’s about connecting with the deepest, often suppressed parts of ourselves.
DMT sessions are not about prescribed steps or choreography. Instead, the movement is organic, spontaneous, and originates from the client. It’s the body articulating truths that often lie beyond the reach of words alone. DMT employs a bottom-up approach to healing, directly engaging the primitive brain regions responsible for movement, breath, and heartbeat. It’s a process of feeling one’s way inward to think one’s way outward. Clients may explore authentic movement, cultural dance forms, improvisation, meditation, guided imagery, or simple somatic awareness exercises. These techniques aim to bridge the gap between mind and body, creating a harmonious relationship that supports integration, nervous system regulation, and improved neuroception – our body’s ability to sense and respond to its environment. This holistic approach reinforces that everybody body dance now has the potential to unlock profound healing.
What Does Dance/Movement Therapy Look Like?
This is a common question for those unfamiliar with DMT. To illustrate, let’s consider an excerpt from “Body Aware,” a book exploring the mind-body connection:
Molly, a mother of two and a full-time executive, sought therapy due to debilitating anxiety that led to a medical leave. She considered inpatient treatment but opted for intensive outpatient therapy. In our initial session, I sensed a part of her was missing, as if I was only meeting a fragment of her whole self. I felt an internal urge to break free. Molly described herself as hardworking and responsible, yet also lost. Motherhood had shifted her focus entirely to her family, neglecting her own needs, especially her body’s need for movement. She felt trapped in her mind, a prisoner of anxiety, which strained her marriage. She yearned to reconnect with herself, recognizing movement and dance as the path back. Molly had a history as a dancer, having taken classes since childhood and even taught dance part-time. In our first session, after a brief history, I invited Molly to move freely in the studio, exploring any movement that arose. I encouraged her to listen to her body, to ask what it needed. Within minutes, a transformation occurred. Molly began stretching, expanding her torso, breathing deeply, and moving her spine fluidly. Her previously restricted movements became flowing and light. This continued for about ten minutes, gradually slowing until she returned to stillness. Removing her glasses, she began to sob, then looked at me and said, “I feel like I found myself again. I really miss me.”
Molly’s experience exemplifies the transformative power of DMT. It’s a valuable therapeutic modality for anyone seeking to explore, release, and reconnect with their body and the wisdom it holds. If you’re curious to learn more, resources like the American Dance Therapy Association offer further information. Don’t let perceived limitations – whether in speaking, listening, or even feeling connected to your body – hinder your healing journey. Remember, everybody body dance now can be a pathway to rewriting your narrative and unlocking your potential for healing. Everything is possible when you embrace the power of dance.
Photo by Olivia Bauso on Unsplash
