Bengalureans learning to dance their fears and cares away

Dance is not just a way of recreation, but a powerful way of expression for many Bengalureans who use it as a medium to overcome life’s problems, battle depression and to express their deepest emotions.

The Creative Movement Therapy Association of India is using dance as a therapy to help people across all age groups express themselves through movement.

The American Dance Therapy Association defines dance therapy as the psychotherapeutic use of dance and movement to facilitate the emotional, social, cognitive and physical integration of the person. “Throughout our lifetime, our body goes through a lot of experiences. A child is able to express these experiences through movements and momentary activities. However, as we grow up, we restrict our movements to our everyday activities depriving our bodies of free movement. Our experiences, both good and bad, get bottled up in our bodies due to our lack of movement and expression. Dancing helps release these experiences through movement,” said Nirmitha Jain, a dance movement facilitator.

“For me, dance goes beyond performance. It is a powerful way of connecting with one’s body. Because of our busy lifestyle, we have lost the connection with our bodies. We start with a basic warm-up session to awaken the body leading to theme development which addresses the problem of the group including low self-esteem, reduced physical mobility etc. Thereafter, we cool the body through slower movements and later create a personal movement language through which we express ourselves,” said Tripura Kashyap, dance therapist and choreographer.

“Right from the time a child is in the womb, it starts moving. Movement is integral to human existence. Movements help improve one’s social skills and facilitate mind-body coordination,” said Tripura, who has helped hundreds of people in various cities overcome their biggest fears and weaknesses through movement.

Psychotherapy
“We have also worked with senior citizens in old-age homes and have trained special educators in using dance as a medium of empowering children with special needs.  Dance Movement Therapy is a very effective mode of psychotherapy for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and to overcome the pain of abuse and trauma,” said Tripura.

“When you dance, your body releases endorphins —  chemicals that help create an energised and happy effect on the body. So you can literally dance your way to health,” she adds.
DH News Service