Since the dawn of humanity, man has danced almost instinctively to communicate and express feelings that he could not convey with language. In addition, he was also a way of contacting the supernatural, of uniting the group and of creating an identity. Dance is not just fun, but today we know all the benefits it brings, both physical and mental, and for this reason, specialties have been developed around it, such as dance therapy: the therapeutic use of dance.
Would you like to know more about this method? Well, pay attention to this post, because we are going to explain everything you need to know about this practice so that you can start doing it and feeling its benefits today.
What is dance therapy?
Dance therapy can be defined as a therapeutic discipline that uses movement to promote the physical, emotional and mental well-being of people. Through different techniques and exercises, it seeks to establish a connection between the body and the mind, which allows individuals to explore, express and transform their emotions and experiences through movement. It is very important to feel the present and to be fully concentrated to carry out a dance therapy session, being aware at all times of the music, the space, the movements and the muscles involved.
Dance therapy can be applied to various contexts, such as: mental health, physical rehabilitation and personal development. It is based on the premise that movement and bodily expression have a profound impact on our health and our ability to heal and grow .
What are the benefits of dance therapy as a teambuilding activity?
There are many benefits of dance therapy and teambuilding, so if we put them together, they can give great results:
Strengthening teamwork: dancing in a group encourages communication, collaboration and coordination among the participants. Through shared movement, the sense of unity and the creation of closer ties between team members are promoted.
Confidence Enhancement – Dance requires trust in others and in oneself. By moving together and supporting each other, trust in the team is strengthened and an atmosphere of psychological safety is created.
Stimulation of creativity : therapy based on free movement, makes participants explore different forms of expression and release their creativity. This can help encourage innovation and the generation of fresh ideas within the team.
Stress management : dance is a way to release tension and reduce accumulated stress . Through the practice of rhythmic and fluid movements, relaxation is promoted and the emotional well-being of the participants is improved.
Promoting Group Cohesion – By doing a fun and challenging activity together, team members come together in a common goal and strengthen their sense of belonging. This can improve group cohesion and generate a more harmonious and motivating work environment.
Get to know some of the most important dance therapy techniques
Now that you know dance therapy and all the benefits it brings, both individually and in groups, we want you to know some of the techniques that you will develop in the sessions to finish encouraging you to try this new activity.
Authentic Movement – This technique focuses on the individual’s free, spontaneous movement, without restraint or judgment. Participants explore their own body expression, allowing the movements to emerge naturally from within.
Integration Dance : As its name suggests, it integrates various types of dance styles and movements to encourage the integration of physical, emotional, and mental aspects. Choreographic exercises are used that invite the participants to synchronize with each other and create a collective dance. This promotes communication, cooperation and a sense of unity within the group.
Guided Imagination : Through verbal or musical guidance, participants are induced to imagine and act out different situations or emotions through movement. Metaphors and visualizations are used to stimulate creativity and exploration of emotional states. This technique allows participants to delve into their inner world and find new forms of expression.
Ritual Dance – Ritual dance is based on symbolic movements and gestures that have meaning beyond the movement itself. Repetitive movement sequences and rituals are used to invoke specific intentions, such as celebration, gratitude, or healing. This technique can help participants connect with a sense of transcendence and spirituality through movement.
Contact dance : It is performed by physically uniting the participants with each other, through touch and body contact. Different forms of non-verbal interaction and communication are explored, fostering trust, empathy and emotional connection. This technique can promote cooperation, conflict resolution and the strengthening of interpersonal relationships within the group.
Motivating elements that serve as a stimulus in dance therapy
To get started in any discipline and progress in it, it is very important that we start from motivation and that is why, to finish this post, we are going to reveal the motivating elements that stimulate dance therapy and make it so attractive for the better at all levels:
The music , more or less intense or melodic, according to the objectives of the session.
The marked rhythm , which encourages dancing or relaxation, depending on the type of session.
Set up a pleasant, open-plan space , free of obstacles, with the ideal temperature and a suitable floor for walking barefoot.
Choose a stimulating , enveloping and pleasant smell that awakens new sensations
Establish creative movement challenges with each class so that the motivation of the participants does not decline.
Foster support and unity among participants.
And now, you are ready for your first dance therapy session! Continue reading the Educa.Pro blog to learn about all the trends and proposals that will help you improve your feeling of self-realization and well-being at work.