Dance has always been in my life. Whenever music starts, my body tends to swing, and I move rhythmically. Last year while I was exploring to find what else I could do with dance in my life, I found out about dance movement therapy and approached to study more.

I chose dance movement therapy at the age of 41yrs when I found that my passion for dance would lead to learning and a therapeutic experience. I would be able to explore a diverse population of society and get them connected with mind and creative body movements.

I am a graduate of business administration and have been an entrepreneur since 15yrs. I did not know psychology and therapy until I jumped into dance movement therapy. Becoming a student again was a great challenge. Putting on the student hat, even though I am an entrepreneur and a mother of two, was a challenge.

But I choose it, so I made it, and I am a Dance Movement Therapist today.

Hence let me tell you what Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) is!

Based on the belief that the body, the mind and the spirit are interconnected, dance/movement therapy is defined by the American Dance Therapy as “the psychotherapeutic use of movement as a process that furthers the emotional, cognitive, social and physical integration of the individual”. Dance/movement therapy, a creative arts therapy, is rooted in the expressive nature of dance itself. Dance is the most fundamental of the arts, involving a direct expression and experience of oneself through the body. It is a basic form of authentic communication, and as such, it is an especially effective medium for therapy.

DMT is very different from technique-based dance in that it creates a safe and non-judgmental space for people to express themselves through movement. Some participants may have never had any formal training in dance as we know it; the difference here is that we encourage all movements as equal and respected. DMT starts with expressing through physical body movements, but as that progress, it also addresses the emotional, cognitive and social well-being of the participants. It works to address emotional wounds that affect the day-to-day functioning of a human being. The premise is that all human memory is stored in the body, and negative memories and experiences, if not released, will also manifest themselves in negative ways in the person’s life. We work at identifying the root issues of the problem that often express itself in anger, fear, depression, suicide, low self-esteem, identity issues and sexuality. Based on the needs and assessment of the client/group at the start of the programme, key issues will emerge. I would then customise sessions to address these needs so that the client benefits from the process.

While dance itself is effective in activating happy hormones in the body, like when serotonin is released, it makes the individual “feel good”, DMT goes a step deeper to address core issues that an individual may be struggling with emotions. DMT looks different for everyone depending on a sense of safety, access to the body, and personal familiarity with an authentic expression of the body. The process may range from mostly verbal or speaking to mostly nonverbal or movement.

I can assure you that nothing feels better sometimes than just moving our bodies. The joy of expressing ourselves through movement, giving voice to inner attitudes and feelings can, at its peak, enhance our sense of self and foster new growth, and even minimally, give us a sense that our mind and body are connected. We can experience how our mind responds to our body – for example, if we slump our shoulders and put our heads down. After being in this position for a few minutes, one’s mind begins to feel the emotional repercussions of this body position, not to mention the muscle aches and pains that may come with it. As Dance Movement Therapists, the basic belief is that a person has the ability to alter their inner life and enhance their quality of life by expanding their movement possibilities.

Dance therapy session treats several physical and mental health issues:

It helps to explore and make meaning of the connection between movement and emotions, encourages tracking of bodily sensations and breath, guides through self-expressive and improvisational movements, and offers specific movement or verbal therapeutic interventions to promote healing and the feelings evoked by the movement.

It helps to build feelings of empathy, self-awareness, body awareness, mindfulness, self-expression, relief of stress, self-esteem, confidence, physical fitness, gross motor skills coordination, imagination and creativity. It provides the space for individuals to experience an invitation, a sense of choice, validation, and to tolerate internal sensations. Thus, it offers compassionate and supportive ways to feel a sense of control and autonomy within your body!

As quoted by Judith Lynne Hanna, “Dance therapy provides an outlet for energy and a safe and playful environment in which many areas of conflict can be identified and worked through, and appropriate adult roles and behaviour tried out.”

“Dance Therapy is not about dance, but about using movement as a tool of communication. It is about connecting movement to psychological processes.” – Erica Hornthal

Pooja Biyani | Dance Movement Therapist

Dance has always been in my life. Whenever music starts, my body tends to swing, and I move rhythmically. Last year while I was exploring to find what else I could do with dance in my life, I found out about dance movement therapy and approached to study more.

I chose dance movement therapy at the age of 41yrs when I found that my passion for dance would lead to learning and a therapeutic experience. I would be able to explore a diverse population of society and get them connected with mind and creative body movements.

I am a graduate of business administration and have been an entrepreneur since 15yrs. I did not know psychology and therapy until I jumped into dance movement therapy. Becoming a student again was a great challenge. Putting on the student hat, even though I am an entrepreneur and a mother of two, was a challenge.

But I choose it, so I made it, and I am a Dance Movement Therapist today.

Hence let me tell you what Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) is!

Based on the belief that the body, the mind and the spirit are interconnected, dance/movement therapy is defined by the American Dance Therapy as “the psychotherapeutic use of movement as a process that furthers the emotional, cognitive, social and physical integration of the individual”. Dance/movement therapy, a creative arts therapy, is rooted in the expressive nature of dance itself. Dance is the most fundamental of the arts, involving a direct expression and experience of oneself through the body. It is a basic form of authentic communication, and as such, it is an especially effective medium for therapy.

DMT is very different from technique-based dance in that it creates a safe and non-judgmental space for people to express themselves through movement. Some participants may have never had any formal training in dance as we know it; the difference here is that we encourage all movements as equal and respected. DMT starts with expressing through physical body movements, but as that progress, it also addresses the emotional, cognitive and social well-being of the participants. It works to address emotional wounds that affect the day-to-day functioning of a human being. The premise is that all human memory is stored in the body, and negative memories and experiences, if not released, will also manifest themselves in negative ways in the person’s life. We work at identifying the root issues of the problem that often express itself in anger, fear, depression, suicide, low self-esteem, identity issues and sexuality. Based on the needs and assessment of the client/group at the start of the programme, key issues will emerge. I would then customise sessions to address these needs so that the client benefits from the process.

While dance itself is effective in activating happy hormones in the body, like when serotonin is released, it makes the individual “feel good”, DMT goes a step deeper to address core issues that an individual may be struggling with emotions. DMT looks different for everyone depending on a sense of safety, access to the body, and personal familiarity with an authentic expression of the body. The process may range from mostly verbal or speaking to mostly nonverbal or movement.

I can assure you that nothing feels better sometimes than just moving our bodies. The joy of expressing ourselves through movement, giving voice to inner attitudes and feelings can, at its peak, enhance our sense of self and foster new growth, and even minimally, give us a sense that our mind and body are connected. We can experience how our mind responds to our body – for example, if we slump our shoulders and put our heads down. After being in this position for a few minutes, one’s mind begins to feel the emotional repercussions of this body position, not to mention the muscle aches and pains that may come with it. As Dance Movement Therapists, the basic belief is that a person has the ability to alter their inner life and enhance their quality of life by expanding their movement possibilities.

Dance therapy session treats several physical and mental health issues:

It helps to explore and make meaning of the connection between movement and emotions, encourages tracking of bodily sensations and breath, guides through self-expressive and improvisational movements, and offers specific movement or verbal therapeutic interventions to promote healing and the feelings evoked by the movement.

It helps to build feelings of empathy, self-awareness, body awareness, mindfulness, self-expression, relief of stress, self-esteem, confidence, physical fitness, gross motor skills coordination, imagination and creativity. It provides the space for individuals to experience an invitation, a sense of choice, validation, and to tolerate internal sensations. Thus, it offers compassionate and supportive ways to feel a sense of control and autonomy within your body!

As quoted by Judith Lynne Hanna, “Dance therapy provides an outlet for energy and a safe and playful environment in which many areas of conflict can be identified and worked through, and appropriate adult roles and behaviour tried out.”

“Dance Therapy is not about dance, but about using movement as a tool of communication. It is about connecting movement to psychological processes.” – Erica Hornthal

Pooja Biyani | Dance Movement Therapist