Healing Through Movement: The Role of Dance Therapy in Mental Health

As I stepped into the sprawling nature's premises, I observed the flowers swaying gracefully to the gentle caress of the breeze. A child joyfully dances, mirroring the movements of her mother. The river flows and twists, dancing along the shapes of the landscape. Each time I witness these moments, I feel they communicate something profound to the universe.

One day, I encountered a deeply personal incident that completely overwhelmed my mind, body, and soul. The sorrow was so intense that it felt suffocating, leaving me at a loss for words to articulate my feelings. While rehearsing a particularly emotional piece that day, I found myself in tears, connecting profoundly with that experience. In that moment, movement became my voice, my way to release the pent-up emotions.

I realized that emotions are not solely a product of the mind; they are also held within our bodies. When we experience tension, it shows in our facial expressions and physical actions. As I danced, I felt the weight of my emotions start to dissipate. The anxiety, anger, sadness, and joy all flowed out through my movements. Dance Movement Therapy taps into the body’s innate wisdom by engaging the brain's motor cortex, basal ganglia, and limbic system. While dance had always been my escape, I hadn’t recognized its therapeutic power until that performance. I discovered that the true essence of dance lies not only in its beauty but also in its capacity to express the most profound and intricate emotions, especially taking up to the next level of therapeutic area.

Dance movement bypasses cognitive barriers, enabling individuals to access and process emotions distinctively. An autistic child found calmness in repetitive motions. An elderly woman with dementia accessed memories through dance. A group of anxious teenagers discovered connection and expression through movement. For a dance movement therapist, this unique therapeutic journey provides self-discovery and growth. It leads to the realization that emotions are not only experienced but also embodied.

Many people believe that becoming a dance movement therapist requires exceptional dancing skills, but that’s a misconception. Dance movement therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses movement to enhance emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being, focusing more on the desire to help others than on perfecting dance techniques. By engaging with this embodied experience, DMT provides a distinctive insight into the human psyche. Movement acts as a universal form of communication. Dance, with its rhythmic movements, helps to express the emotions to heal. Embrace the opportunity to “Dance your Feelings away” with this inviting approach.

Written By : Mahalakshmi Narayanaprasad, Counselling Psychologist A.M Jain College, Meenambakkam