‘Embodiment’, like ‘mindfulness’, is an overused word these days. However, both principles are fundamental to movement therapy practice. To clarify, the dictionary defines embodiment as “the representation or expression of something in a tangible or visible form”. Importantly, for us this relates to the mind-body connection.
Moving in a different way can help to shift fixed perceptions and feelings. It may also facilitate seeing a wider range of possibilities in a given situation. Movement patterns may bring release and enable better understanding of oneself and one’s story.
Expressive Movement
For some people, that connection comes effortlessly, but for many it’s a challenge. For a variety of reasons, you may lose touch with your body over time. In that case, you may be uncomfortable with truly expressing yourself in movement. As a result, you may repeat the same patterns and exercises without awareness. This can result in becoming dis-embodied and losing your creativity. In turn, that can stifle your imagination. It can also make you hold back on the things that make you special and unique. Over time it can prevent you from achieving your potential. Consequently, this may have a negative effect on your mental wellbeing.
Focussing on expression on a bodily level allows you tap into your body’s own healing resources. It’s therapeutic. You connect with your body in elemental ways and allow it to express feelings often hard to convey in words. This can be especially beneficial for trauma survivors and people suffering from anxiety or depression. In addition, rhythmic movement helps to calm the mind.
Our Movement Therapy Sessions
Our wellbeing programme has expressive movement sessions which can help to put you back in touch with your body and find release and freedom in movement.
Being mindful while moving you also learn about yourself and your body. In this way you can embrace your creativity. In addition you can connect to the comforting flow of pleasant physical sensations.Fully engaging with the present moment brings healing. Using the movement and sensations of your body brings your awareness to the present moment. It draws your attention to your hands and feet. Noticing the sensations of touching the ground and your arms swinging or shifting in motion.
Therapeutic Dance and Movement
Therapeutic Dance & Movement, or Dance Therapy, is a free flowing, embodied approach to wellbeing. It has some aspects which are similar to Dance Movement Psychotherapy, but they are different practices. Dance Movement Psychotherapy is a clinical practice where participants work emotional depth. It involves a clinical framework and creative process. These Dance Therapy sessions consist of guided movement explorations. The expressive and reflective aspects of the sessions have a positive benefit for physical and mental health but the intention is not to work at a deep level.
This is not a technique class, although the principles of exercise, movement and dance underpin the sessions. There is no choreography to learn and no teaching of movements. The practitioner guides participants to explore their own movement vocabulary. Explorations encourage movements for strength, balance and flexibility.
In Dance Therapy, there is no right or wrong way to do the movements. Being in the spirit of the moment, enjoying the connection with self and others are the main focus. It’s more about staying connected, having a bit of fun and supporting each other.