NATA CARLIN

Dance has been used by people since ancient times as a tool for relationships. People danced during all significant events, in their anticipation and for the glory of what happened. This happened outside the door of the woman in labor and near the deathbed. With the development of civilization, dances have become a subject of art for a person. They were taken strict place, limited the limits of decency reasons for dancing. But in human nature there is a love for dance, and then dance therapy was invented.

The foundations of this science were laid by famous psychologists. Among them are Freud, Adler, Jung. This science was promoted by A. Duncan, M. Wigman, Rudolf von Laban.

The first dance therapist in the world is considered to be the American dancer Marion Chase. She worked in the 30s of the last century. Her work was based on strict teaching the rules of various dances. However, the woman noticed that people dance more relaxed, and give themselves up to invented movements with great enthusiasm. Their body is liberated, and a smile plays on their faces. She began to build her lessons on the combination of spontaneous dance and traditional movements.

To help emotions get out, a person must dance.

In 1966, America's first dance association was founded. In the 90s, the movement, popular by that time in the West, came to us.

Dance Movement Therapy: Theory and Practice

Dance therapy has a positive effect on people who do not know how to express emotions and suffer from it. Classes with dance therapists are built both on an individual basis and in groups. For a teacher of courses, a psychological and dance education is required. The principle of working in a group is simple - those present receive a task, complete it and share their impressions with each other.

The benefits of dance therapy are threefold:

The state of health, blood supply and physical form are normalized;
A person, feeling himself in a new hypostasis, acquires a great;
Learns using body language.

Classes help:

Group dance therapy

The difference in teaching in group dance therapy is that people who come to the group become one whole process. They look like a dance in a round dance or improvisation in a group. special treatment given to the synchronism of gestures and movements, the unity of the experiences of students. The groups are divided into pairs, where one of the partners plays the chosen role, and the second tries to force him to give up his position with the help of body movements. Many students complain that new faces appear in groups and familiar ones disappear. But it helps those who remain learn to quickly adapt to change and find common ground with new people.

Dance therapists try to teach people to understand a partner through his movements, to look for the true background of his actions and actions. Conversations in the group are replaced by a dance, where each of those who were listened to expresses their thoughts with the help of dance steps. If the group members are inclined to talk today, the classes are held in the form of a monologue followed by a discussion. If today they want to dance more than talk, the teacher follows the desires of the group.

Dance Therapy - Exercises

There are several exercises that all dance therapists use in their lessons. If you are unable to attend dance groups, take advantage of their developments in self-study. So, exercises for dance therapy:

Dance separate parts body.

Turn on the music and dance. First with one hand, then with the other, then with each foot separately, and so on. Be sure to “dance” with your face - lips, eyes, forehead muscles. As you dance, remember what feelings you experienced at what moment. Write them down in a notebook.

We move as best we can.

Now, which one you like best, and dance to it as you see fit. Change the motive to the opposite, and move under it. Write down how your mood has changed depending on the change in dance and music.

Music style.

Select musical works in different styles. Try to eliminate the ones you don't like. Turn on in a row and dance, choosing movements spontaneously. Fix your attitude to each style, and write down your feelings.

In front of the mirror.

Looking at yourself in the mirror, dance. What feelings does the person who dances on the other side of the reflective surface evoke in you?

Get dressed.

Try putting on a costume show for yourself. According to each musical style dress up and dance.

Are you a tiger or a rabbit?

Imagine that you are an animal and move like the character you are portraying. Now explain why you chose a tiger, a rabbit, or a kitten.

Try to move to the music the way you imagine any work. For example, washing or ironing clothes. Take as a template your regular activities - brushing your teeth, eating, shaving, etc. Change movements, experiment.

professional dance.

Turn on clips or TV shows that have a lot of music and professional dancing. Copy their movements and pas. What feelings do you experience?

Place a reproduction of the painting in front of you. Try to express her mood in dance.

We dance like others.

Remember how your friends dance. Reproduce their movements. What feelings did you have?

Sitting position.

Sit on the floor and move to the music in a sitting position.

Lying position.

Now stretch out on the bed or on the floor and keep dancing to the music.

Imagination.

Turn on the music, close your eyes, and try to imagine how you would like to move to it.

"Partner".

Take a toy, a chair, or an umbrella as a partner. Anything that comes to your mind and does not interfere with moving around is suitable as a “partner” for dancing.

And so on until you can hold objects in your arms, armpits and between your legs.

Who needs dance therapy?

People who feel disharmony between body and spirit turn to dance therapists. This feeling comes from early years when a child does not feel the love of parents and people around him, when he is haunted by a sense of guilt for his actions, when he independently has to learn to survive in the world around him. Including if in adolescence a person experienced a feeling of dissatisfaction with his body. This feeling does not disappear even with the years. A person seeks and finds in dance therapy awareness of himself, body and personality.

The whole process is based on the struggle of opposites or the achievement of what was considered unattainable. In addition, a person, discovering new opportunities in himself, learns to think creatively. He considers himself different points vision, begins to really look at things, and correctly evaluate actions and misconduct.

Dance therapists give students the opportunity to feel the rhythm of the music and express inner feelings with the help of body movements. They evoke from the hidden corners of the soul of every person those experiences and problems that have not found solutions. They help to find answers to questions that a person has been looking for in vain for years.

March 14, 2014

Dance therapy is absolutely unique phenomenon. What does it represent? This is a direction of psychotherapy in which movement and dance contribute to both the physical and emotional integration of the individual. At this method rich story. And indeed, it is of some interest. So I would like to pay special attention to this topic.

About prerequisites

All people who are at least a little familiar with folklore, history and art are well aware that dance has been an integral part of various rituals, community life and other practices from time immemorial. It's more than just moving to music. The dance carried sacred, communicative, identification, expressive and recreational functions. He helped to freely express himself, contact with partners, emotionally discharge and shoot physical stress. In essence, everything listed features the dance continues today.

The healing properties of dance in the 20th century prompted psychotherapists to use them as new method treatment. In addition, at that time this genre appeared and became quite special. After all, it emphasized the individuality of each person and the importance of the personal. The first dance therapists were people like Mary Wigman and Rudolf Laban.

And, of course, talking about the prerequisites, one cannot fail to pay attention to the teachings. This specialist assured that all experiences and emotions that a person does not express do not disappear anywhere. They accumulate in the muscles. And there are some kind of "blocks". In general, dance movement therapy, the exercises of which will be noted a little later, refers to the teachings of Reich. More precisely, to how the specialist explains the work psychosomatic mechanisms. But its methods are not used as such.

In Russia

In our country, this direction appeared not very long ago - in the 90s. And initially there was not even such a thing as dance therapy. The theory says: in Russia it was originally presented as a method personal growth and development. But in 1995, the concept has already appeared. And after him - ATDT (Association of Dance Movement Therapy). It was organized in Moscow. And ATDT works with the support of the American, European and International associations.

Now TDT is an independent direction in psychotherapy. And the scope of its application is very wide. Dance therapy is aimed at combating stress, Parkinson's disease, autism, post-traumatic disorders, etc.

About principles

Like any other treatment technique, this one relies on certain provisions and rules. They are followed by doctors working in this direction. The essence of the main principle is that the human body and his psyche are inseparable. And they constantly interact with each other. Dance is also perceived as a way of communication. And a person engaged in TDT comes into contact with himself, his partner and the whole world.

Another important principle is the unity of thoughts, feelings and behavior. Because any change in one aspect entails changes in the other two. In this, by the way, the principle of integrity is manifested. Also, the “highlight” is the perception of your body as not an object or object, but a process. The very awareness of this is reflected in the result, presenting the desired effect. And one more important principle - during the practice of dance therapy, the specialist turns to the creative resources of a person, as to an endless source of creative energy and vitality.

Goals

Dance therapy for children and adults aims to achieve the same result. the main objective is to expand the scope of awareness of your body, as well as its capabilities and features. It is important for a person to be able to develop trust in himself and improve his self-esteem. For this, doctors are engaged in the development of the patient's body, instilling in him a love for this business.

Another goal is to improve social skills and integrate inner experience. It is important that the person in the course of treatment establishes a special connection between movements, thoughts and feelings.

Methods

It is worth noting that there are different groups dance therapy. The main one is clinical. This is an auxiliary type of therapy that forms an effective symbiosis in terms of treatment with medications prescribed to patients. Clinical TDT can last for a long time - sometimes for several years. But efficiency demands it. By the way, it is especially good at helping patients with speech and language disorders. interpersonal communications(that is, in communication). By the way, clinical TDT appeared more than 75 years ago.

Also wide application finds TDT in people with psychological problems. And this type of therapy is much more complex than the previously mentioned one. Because it is aimed at solving specific human problems. And such TDT is carried out both in a group with other patients, and in individually. The method is usually based on analytical psychology.

And then there is dance therapy for those people who have no problems, but want something more from their lives. For example, to find out with the help of TDT your hidden "I", to find new way self-expression and start interacting with others.

Innovation

As mentioned at the beginning, TDT gained popularity not so long ago. Which is not surprising, because this is an innovation. In the course of classes with patients, the doctor uses the skills, abilities and knowledge that relate to psychology, creativity, art, physiology and therapy. It is important. After all, almost every disease is psychosomatic. And until the moment when the disease begins to manifest itself at the bodily level, it appears in the subconscious. That is, at the level of the psyche.

TDT is special in that during its implementation great attention is paid not only to thought processes and cognitive methods of rehabilitation, but also the physical and creative part. In other words, both hemispheres are involved. And this is what is necessary for a harmonious and whole person. And be that as it may, but the most unexplored aspect of our world today is precisely man. Namely, how his body interacts with the psyche.

Benefit

Dance therapy, which has a very interesting history, is really effective. It is the best way to minimize physical stress and increase the mobility of a person. If you believe the notorious theory of Reich, it turns out that the same muscle "clamp" is eliminated. After all, a person begins to move, express his feelings and emotions during the dance. And the accumulated energy that was spent on maintaining the muscle "clamp" finds its application.

The value of artistic experiences is very high. In the dance, they even extract needs and desires from the unconscious, which the patient could not even guess about. In other words, he simply gets rid of them.

In addition, TDT great way for non-verbal interaction. It is for this reason that in recent times group classes have become popular. A person begins to contact not only with the healer, but also with other participants. And this is an additional release of tension and a more relaxed atmosphere. Group lessons significantly improve emotional and physical state patients. And if they are also teenagers, then TDT helps them increase their level of self-esteem and develop a more positive image own body. By contacting other members of the group, young people can awaken new, previously unexplored feelings.

movements

So, we examined the methods of dance therapy in as much detail as possible. Now you can touch the attention and exercises. There are no restrictions and generally accepted standards. After all, one of the goals, as mentioned earlier, is to demonstrate freedom and creativity. The most important thing is that the movements performed by the patient should be aimed at realizing his own feelings at this particular moment. His task is to express his feelings through dance. And the therapist, watching him, must understand what the patient is trying to convey. This is where psychoanalysis comes into play. The doctor's task is to analyze the patient's behavior as accurately as possible, which will help to understand his problem.

Then the healer, together with the person, proceeds to expand the limited potential of movements. This way it is possible to liberate the patient, direct him to overcome complexes and psychological problems. This is what dance therapy is all about.

Exercise is what the patient should concentrate on during the exercise. When a person “stretches”, it is important for him to feel what exactly is in this moment he feels. And the doctor, in turn, should help him come to the awareness of his physical sensations. In the last stage, the patient usually feels that his soul is one with the body, and conveys this through his dance.

What else is worth knowing?

For TDT there are no barriers. No age limits or restrictions on the diagnosis. Now there are centers that work with adults and children, which accept anyone who wants to, help to cope with personal problems, anxieties, fears, personal crisis, misunderstanding of oneself and the loss of the meaning of life. There is also a marital TDT.

Designed for children special programs, which are able to correct (which includes autism, developmental delay, For adults, there is a program that helps to cope with compulsive overeating, anorexia and bulimia. With the help of TDT, you can even improve parent-child relationships.

And people who have decided to do TDT (or they had to do it) assure that there is an effect. All the theory described is confirmed in practice. And therapy allows not only to replenish strength, but also to know yourself, to feel your light, uniqueness and value for this world, which is confirmed by many reviews.

Education

As it was already possible to understand, the activity of a person who owns such an art as dance therapy is very complex and multifaceted. Specialist training this profile also goes through several stages. The program itself was created in 1995. This is so far the only technique that meets the requirements of the European Association of TDT. And the program is implemented by such a university as the Institute practical psychology and psychoanalysis. IPPiP is located in Moscow.

To all students in this direction There are many disciplines to be mastered. The preparation is comprehensive and serious. Leading experts not only from Russia, but also from the USA and Europe are involved in teaching.

During the training, future therapists attend theoretical seminars on TDT and psychological counseling. The program also includes supervision. Students will also undergo personal psychotherapy and clinical practice.

Educational nuances

It is important to note that this is not a 4-year course, but professional retraining at the end of which students receive a diploma. This document gives professionals the right to professional activity in the field of psychotherapy and, of course, TDT.

For admission, you must complete an application form and write a meaningful essay (a kind of creative competition). Also, every prospective student is required to pass introductory course according to TDT. This is necessary to identify the ability of a person to this activity. The program includes 10 hours of the basics of creative dance and 50 - group TDT "Basic life themes". After completing the course, the person is interviewed and accepted for training.

By the way, today there is also a regional training program, which can be completed at the center of healing art and creativity in Ufa, which cooperates with the previously mentioned university (IPPiP).

Practice Exercises for Dance Therapy Groups

Display

Purpose: The exercise encourages body awareness, creative movement, and interpersonal empathy. It gives experience and guidance and following someone.

Required time: 15 minutes.

Materials: No.

Procedure: All group members are divided into pairs. In each pair, one participant becomes the leader, and the other - the slave.

Stand face to face and look into each other's eyes. If you are the leader, start doing some slow, graceful movements with your arms, legs, head, and torso. As you move, be aware of your body and senses. Throughout the exercise, look your partner in the eyes and try to be aware of him.

As a follower, mirror your partner's movements - as if you were his mirror image. For example, if a partner draws right hand, pull out the left. Let your partner guide where and how you move. Try not to think about anything. Let your body "lead" you. After about five minutes, switch roles. At the end of the task, share your feelings with your partner.

Animals

Purpose: The exercise provides a symbolic role play and creative interaction with other group members.

Required time: 30 minutes.

Materials: No.

Preparation: No special preparation is required.

Procedure: Choose any mammal, reptile or bird. Within 20 minutes you must be this animal, "adopting" its form, movements and sounds. Most likely, more than one participant will choose the same animal. Don't announce your choice. Crawl, jump, jump and "fly" as this animal. Interact spontaneously with others. Approach the task creatively and try to express aspects of your personality that may not be easy to express in your ordinary life. Make noise, be aware of the feelings that arise in you, whether it be fear, anger or love. Finally, share your impressions of the experience with the rest of the group.
Following the leader

Purpose: This exercise provides an opportunity to be both a leader and a follower in a small group.

Required time: 30 minutes.

Materials: No.

Preparation: No special preparation is required.

Procedure: Divide the large group into smaller groups of four or five. Each group lines up. The participant in front is the leader.

As a facilitator, move spontaneously and creatively around the room. Experiment with various impromptu body movements. The rest of the group should follow you, keeping the line. After a few minutes, move to the back of your small group so that the person behind you in the row becomes the leader. Do the exercise until each participant has the opportunity to lead the group at least once, bringing their own special style, their own movements into it.

free dance

Purpose: The exercise gives each participant the opportunity to experiment with dance moves in front of others. This exercise is good to end classes in dance therapy groups.

Required time: 30 minutes.

Materials: This exercise is best done with musical accompaniment.

Preparation: No one should be forced to participate.

Procedure: The group sits in a circle. One participant goes to the center of the circle and dances. Don't worry about being a "good" dancer. Don't compete with others. Move freely and spontaneously, following your body. After a few minutes, finish the exercise, sit down and invite someone to replace you. Continue like this until everyone who wants to use the opportunity to perform their free dance. The exercise can be completed by the participation of the whole group in a free dance.

based on the book by K.E. Rudestam "Group Psychotherapy"

Christina Starova
Training in dance therapy "Dance with a shadow" for children of senior preschool age

1.1.1. The number of participants in the training is 7-10 people.

1.2. Object: preschoolers 6-7 years old

1.3. For the lesson you need: a laptop, speakers, a spacious audience, interactive board, chairs, table.

2. Keywords: dance, therapy, movement, body, self-disclosure, expression of feelings, interaction, relaxation.

3. Form of work: group

4. Acquaintance with group members and establishing trusting relationships.

Exercise "Say your name"

5. Working principles:

1. Don't be afraid to speak your mind.

2. Be active.

3. The principle of "here and now."

4. The principle of valuelessness.

6. Respectful attitude to group members.

Purpose of the lesson: self-improvement with the help of given or arbitrary dance movements, accompanied by musical accompaniment, as well as the expression and processing of emotions through spontaneous body movements that contribute to the formation of a strategy for achieving success, good relations to each other; development of attention, memory, cognitive interest, thinking, logic.

Lesson objectives:

To help the group member become aware of his own body and the possibilities of its use;

Enhance the feeling dignity and self-esteem;

To promote the development of social skills through the acquisition of new communication experience in conditions of creative interaction, which will overcome verbal barriers;

Create conditions for living catharsis, that is, living feelings, suppressed by conflict, experiences, through expressiveness;

Relieve physical stress with the help of special exercises and movements;

Take off mental stress, anxiety and stress;

Acquire new forms of communication based on joint group work;

Reinforcing positive ways arbitrary regulation behavior;

Education of attentiveness, observation;

Development of memory (visual and auditory).

Lesson effects:

Great confidence in your body, great emancipation, flexibility, etc. without effort and with pleasure;

Pleasure and development of physical and creative activity;

Extension vocabulary children;

Increasing the level of attention;

Improving the emotional state and mood of children;

Development musical ear, rhythm and musical memory;

Formation of verbal and non-verbal communication skills;

Teaches the child to make decisions, achieve mutual understanding, compromise, teaches the ability to act in a team;

Development of fine and gross motor skills, as well as auditory, visual, tactile perception abilities.

Practical part of the lesson:

1. Warm up

Time: 5 min.

Procedure: Participants stand in a circle. Music sounds. The host calls in turn the parts of the body that will be kneaded:

hand dance

hand dance

head dance

shoulder dance

belly dance

foot dance

2. Exercise "Display".

Purpose: The exercise encourages body awareness, creative movement, and interpersonal empathy. It gives the experience and guidance of following someone.

Time: 7 -10 min.

Procedure: All group members are divided into pairs. In each pair, one participant becomes the leader, and the other - the slave. Stand face to face and look into each other's eyes. If you are the leader, start doing some slow, graceful movements with your arms, legs, head, and torso. As you move, be aware of your body and senses. Throughout the exercise, look your partner in the eyes and try to be aware of him.

As a follower, mirror your partner's movements - as if you were his mirror image. For example, if your partner extends his right hand, extend his left. Let your partner guide where and how you move. Try not to think about anything. Let your body "lead" you. After about five minutes, switch roles. At the end of the task, share your feelings with your partner.

3. Exercise "Animals".

Purpose: The exercise involves symbolic role play and creative interaction with other group members.

Time: 5min.

Procedure: Choose any mammal, reptile or bird. Within 5 minutes you must be this animal, "adopting" its form, movements and sounds. Most likely, more than one participant will choose the same animal. Don't announce your choice. Crawl, jump, jump and "fly" as this animal. Interact spontaneously with others.

Approach the task creatively and try to express aspects of your personality that may not be easy to express in your ordinary life. Make noise, be aware of the feelings that arise in you, whether it be fear, anger or love. Finally, share your impressions of the experience with the rest of the group.

4. Exercise "Theatricalization of movements."

Time: 5-7min.

Objective: To learn how to express emotional condition, feelings, disclosure of internal resources.

Procedure: Participants are given cards on which feelings, emotions are written. Each of the participants shows, without words, what is written on the card. The rest of the participants must guess what kind of feeling or emotion it is, and so on in a circle. Everyone participates.

5. Exercise "Everything with everyone."

Goals: Empathic acceptance of partners; mutual knowledge; development of dance-expressive repertoire of participants.

Time: 5 min.

Procedure: Participants become in two circles - external and internal. One of the partners begins to move spontaneously, expressing himself creatively, following his feelings at the moment. The other one mirrors his movements, trying to "feel into" the partner through his plasticity, the manner of movements. After 30 seconds, the participants change roles (or clap). Moving relative to each other, all participants must interact with all members of the group.

6. Free dance.

Purpose: The exercise gives each participant the opportunity to experiment with dance moves in front of others. This exercise is good to end classes in dance therapy groups.

Time: 10-15 min.

Procedure: The group sits or stands in a circle. One participant goes to the center of the circle and dances. Don't worry about being a "good" dancer. Don't compete with others. Move freely and spontaneously, following your body. After a few minutes, finish the exercise, sit down and invite someone to replace you. Continue like this until everyone who wants to use the opportunity to perform their free dance. The exercise can be completed by the participation of the whole group in a free dance.

Completion. Summing up, reflection.

Goals: Restoration of breathing; stress relief and emotional arousal; consolidation of the results obtained during the training.

Exercise "Sunrise"

Goals: Relieve tension and emotional arousal; setting for positive thinking.

Materials: slow, calm music, video recording with sunrise.

Time: 3 min.

Procedure: The group sits in a circle in their places. Relaxing music sounds. The leader speaks slowly and clearly next text: “Our training is coming to an end, but as philosophers say, every end is the beginning of something new. In our case, it will be awareness of oneself, one's capabilities, unity with the common Universe and its power, integration of soul and body. Sit comfortably. Relax. You can close your eyes or you can leave them open. Try your inner vision to be transported to the pre-dawn seconds when the sky becomes lighter and the sun is about to rise. Watch around. Nature, as if frozen in anticipation of the sun. Trees, animals, insects - all are filled with extraordinary silence, as if they were transported, in their expectation, into magical land, between dream and reality, between night and day, darkness and light. A country that is not on any of the maps of the world. A country where everything is possible. Wait for you too. Wait for the sunrise like first love, with the same deep expectation, with such hope and uplift. Silently. Now, let the sun rise! Let its rays warm you with their warmth and light. Take a deep breath. As you breathe in, imagine golden light entering through your head and into your body, as if the sun had risen very close to your head. You are just empty, and the golden light fills your head and goes down, down to your toes. As you breathe in, visualize it. This golden light will help, it will cleanse your entire body and fill it with creativity. Feel how magical solar warmth spreads over your body, over every cell of it. Save these feelings. Make another one deep breath. Now you can open the eyes of those who had them closed, take your usual position. From now on, if at any time in your life you feel anxiety, fear, sadness, tension, let your inner sun come up." After the words of the presenter, a record with the sunrise appears on the video player screen.

The facilitator thanks the guys for their attention and participation in the training!

The term "dance therapy" has only recently begun to gain popularity. wide popularity, but many people who want to improve their mental condition already familiar with this technique.

AT major cities There are centers in Russia that popularize dance therapy and professionally help adult patients and children.

Dance therapy is a type of psychotherapy in which, during the process of movement (dance), the integration of social, cognitive, emotional and physical aspects human life.

This method of treatment is suitable for healthy people and those who are faced with emotional disorders, psychosomatic illnesses, communication disorders and other problems.

Dance as a form of communication has its roots in deep antiquity; at that time, the movement of the body to a certain rhythm was a ritual action that could haunt different goals: starting from social-communal and ending with healing practices.

Already at that time, the dance accumulated in itself the functions that reflect the social and psychological life person and society. What was the dance for?

1. ritual communication. Dance was a form of transmission of sacred knowledge and communication with the divine.
2. A communicative function, when with the help of dance a person is able to establish contact with a representative of his species (among historians there is a theory that before the advent of language, communication between people took place through dance).
3. Identification function, when with the help of dance an individual shows his belonging to a particular community.
4. expressive function. Dance acts as a way of expressing feelings and relieving tension.
5. A cathartic function, when through dance a person gets the opportunity to immerse himself in intense negative experiences and thereby get rid of their toxic influence, get spiritual cleansing. (Catharsis is the intense experience of liberation and rebirth as a result of intense shock or suffering.)

Movements to music have coped with these tasks throughout the history of human existence. Medicinal properties dances were famous among the Indian tribes.

In China, a number of specific dance-gymnastic exercises such as Tai Chi Chuan were a popular practice during treatment.

shaolin monk

In England in the 19th century, there was a theory among doctors about the beneficial effects of dance on the treatment of diseases associated with physiological and psychological state patient, and thanks to the work of choreographers Martha Graham and Doris Humphrey, the first theories of dance-movement psychotherapy were developed in the UK.

Martha Graham

Prerequisites for the development of dance therapy as successful method treatments were formed long time, but in the twentieth century, 2 events happened that had big influence to establish a direction. What led to the birth of dance therapy:

1. The emergence and rapid popularization of psychoanalysis in Europe and America, thanks to which they began to study unconscious mental processes.
2. The emergence of a new type of modern dance, whose prominent representatives are Isadora Duncan, Rudolf Laban and Mary Wigman. Through the rejection of the canonical forms of dance, turning to new plots and using unusual dance and plastic means, representatives of this direction sought to convey personal, unconscious experience and individual self-expression.

The founder of dance therapy as a method of treatment is Marion Chase, who was a dancer and teacher.

While teaching dance with students, Marion drew attention to the division between students: if some focused attention directly on the dance technique, then others were occupied with the sensual component and self-expression.

By changing her teaching methods, she allowed her students to convey more emotions through freedom of movement, which made it possible to come to an understanding of the psychological benefits inherent in dance as a form of perception of the world and emotional interaction with it.

Working with children and adolescents in different educational institutions, she managed to make a proper impression on psychologists so that her method of treatment began to be taken seriously.

After that, she did dance movement therapy with people who experienced both psychological and movement problems, and in 1946 Marion was invited as an active dance therapist at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, where, thanks to her work, efforts and knowledge, patients, up to As a result, those who were considered hopeless were able to learn how to interact in a group and express emotions, after which their treatment proceeded in classical form but with great success.

As an independent discipline, dance therapy began to develop after 1966, when the American Association for Dance Psychotherapy was formed.

Advantages and features of the method

Mostly people who learn about dance therapy turn to dance therapy. the world and defining their place in it through movement, through their body.

Movement in their case is seen as a way to express and understand themselves, because at some stage they lost touch with themselves, harmony and a sense of integrity.

Without feeling contact with their body, people lose contact with their deep, lively and creative beginning, connection with their own nature. The principles and goals of dance movement therapy, on the basis of which the treatment methodology is based, are as follows:

1. There is an integration of the body and mental experience. There is an integrity of mental, behavioral processes and emotional involvement of the individual. Changes in one aspect entail changes in others.
2. With the help of dance, you can communicate on three levels: with the world as such, with other members of the group, with yourself. This creates a unified and own system of communication.
3. Movement reveals creative potential, which is the essence and root cause of human energy.

It is important to remember that dance therapy is primarily a direction of psychology, not art. The beauty of dance gestures and movements, plasticity, performance technique and dance direction are not key aspects of therapy.

Through involvement in creative process, capable of opening the way for a person to study and realize himself, his capabilities and limits, the patient gets the opportunity to work out other tasks. What dance gives:

1. Improves physical and emotional state.
2. Self-esteem and self-esteem increase, a person learns to trust himself in a new way and builds his own favorable image.
3. The experience of integrating feelings, thinking and movement becomes important for relationships with oneself and with others.

In addition, in cases of group therapy in patients with psychological problems, the process of interaction with people is being established, new communication skills are being taught.

Classification options for dance movement therapy

Considering dance therapy from different points of view, at least two classifications can be distinguished, reflecting the approach to the treatment methodology and the requirements for the education of a dance therapist, to the complexity and uniqueness of the complex of measures to help patients.

The first classification is based on the number of participants. Allocate the following types dance therapy:

• individual;
• steam room;
• group.

The most popular and well-developed today is the latter, since it allows you to effectively and efficiently treat many people at once. Usually all participants are involved in the process at once, but different formats are also possible (for example, when someone moves and someone watches).

Accordingly, the second classification is based on the requirements for the specific education, experience and skills of the dance therapist who conducts the treatment.

Here are the types of dance therapy according to this classification:

1. Clinical dance therapy for patients with mental disorders applied as additional method treatment on a par with medication. Considered the most complex view dance therapy. It is widely used in cases where patients have a speech disorder and have difficulty communicating with other people. For the appearance and consolidation of improvements, a long-term therapeutic effect is required.
2. Dance psychotherapy for mentally and physically healthy people with specific requests. Or for somatic patients who have difficulty in physiological level and consider dance therapy, first of all, as additional way treatment of disorders associated with movement and coordination.
3. Dance art therapy for people who do not suffer mental illness, but those who have the desire to develop their skills and take a fresh look at the world. AT this case therapy serves as a way of self-expression, expansion of ideas about yourself, your body.

Both group work and individual sessions can be really useful and bring a new, inspiring experience.

TDT techniques and their characteristics

In dance movement therapy, there are several possible types dance, which are applied depending on the safety of physical capabilities.

1. An unstructured dance consisting of spontaneous and varied movements. This option is often chosen for the treatment of neuroses. Spontaneous movements are perceived as an element of the game, with the help of which emotions and sensations can be expressed.
2. A structured dance, to which, for example, a round dance can be attributed. The circle dance has special therapeutic properties, gives a sense of belonging, community and closeness.

In addition to the circle dance, exercises that are characterized by a clear and competent structure include techniques aimed at relaxation and concentration or movement in the environment.

For patients with psychotic disorders, mirror responses can be perceived as aggression, which adversely affects the effectiveness of therapy. For group members to feel comfortable and safe, the therapist must be empathic and sufficiently qualified.

Dance Therapy for Children

Today, dance therapy for children is one of the most popular ways to treat young patients with communication disorders. Teaching children to dance in general education, developmental and leisure centers takes place in rhythm classes with professional teacher. C rhythm has a positive effect on the development of plasticity and grace in a child. He learns to hear the rhythm and understand the music, to coordinate what he hears with the movements of the body.

First, the teacher teaches children the elements of dance, helps to form and develop new motor skills, but imitation itself is only half the work. Working with children for development creativity there are elements of performances and games, when children can use fictitious images, turn on fantasy, appeal to their own emotional experiences and reveal emotions.

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