Dance therapy is a versatile form of therapy founded on the idea that motion and emotion are connected, this type of therapy is beneficial for both physical and mental health using movement to help individuals achieve emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration Dance therapy is a type of therapy that uses movement to further the social, cognitive, emotional, and physical development of an individual. Dance therapists work with people from all ages that may suffer from any type of emotional problems, intellectual deficiencies, or even life-threatening illnesses. Movement in a dance therapy setting is more than just exercise, the flow of the movements are interpreted more like a language to further the progress of the patient. When …show more content…
Extensive research has shown that using dance movements in a therapy setting can activate several brain functions at once such as a more rational thinking, the ability to recall more information and also to be more physically active. When in a dance therapy session, most instructors will start by playing music of several different genres in order to evoke expressionism in each individual by allowing them to feel the music within their movements. Sometimes one song can make one person feel happy, another sad, and another energized. By observing the different emotions that the music and the movements have such an impact on the patient, and how it may effect a person differently allows them to express their individuality. Dance can open up a creative outlook within the mind of an individual by allowing them to embody their emotions within the movements and convey how the music makes them feel inside. Dance is also a tool for stress release, dance therapy is a great stress reliever, not only because it is great physical excessive for the body but it is also emotionally therapeutic. Dancing can bring changes to emotions and attitudes almost instantly. Dance therapy can also help develop higher functions motor skills by incorporating stretching and deep breathing exercises to strengthen muscles and increase flexibility. This can benefit the patient’s motor skills by focusing on strength, coordination and balance. Not only does dance improve motor skills, it can also increase confidence and self esteem by creating a common ground between the therapist and the patient through movement. This allows for a positive and safe learning environment and lets the participant know they are welcome and that this will be a pleasant and fun experience. These
The dance cannot exist with music alone; the choreography helps complete the dance. Choreography often involves learning dance from other dancers, or learning a new type of dance to make the existing one more exciting. Going beyond the normal boundary increases the chance that the dance will effectively intertwine the music and choreography, so the dance will go beyond the original idea. Shadowing neurosurgeon Dr. Norgran in high school and pulmonologist Dr. Yaeger in college, has given me a new perspective on going into a career in medicine. These people helped me to see that I would have to be willing to alter the music of my life in order to finish the dance of a medical career.
According to an article by Marjie Gilliam, titled “The many Health Benefits of Dancing,” dance offers a total body workout, using all of the major muscle groups and providing heart-healthy benefits. And that “the benefits can extend beyond fitness.” His study shows that, a recent study in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine found that teaching the cha-cha to a small group of older adults twice a week for six months was enough to improve their memory and cognitive function on a number of tests. Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that ballroom dancing at least twice a week made people less likely to develop dementia (Marjie Gilliam). In my personal experience, dance helped improve my health because it is a form of physical activity. For example, in high school, I was in a dance club and we had to dance to hip hop. It required a lot of body movements and a lot of energy. I remember sweating a lot after an intense hip hop dance session. Moreover, through this dance club I lost weight and got more fit. Thus, dancing definitely benefits our health and keeps our body in shape. In kinesiology where health factors are also present, it is important to reflect that dance has shown many groups of people, past or present, the significance amount of movements it offers as well as health benefits ever since back in the
B., Gfeller, K. E., & Thaut, M. H. (2008). An Introduction to Music Therapy: Theory and
My nephew Jaden Hopkins drove my inspiration for this particular case. Jaden was diagnosed with lead poisoning, which led to many of his psychological, developmental and physical disabilities. Jaden lives his life in the shadows. His lack of communication has made it extremely difficult to understand what is going on, how he is feeling, or the treatment he receives from others. It wasn’t until I noticed his reaction to music that I have begun to better understand him. As he jumped up and down off beat to the music I have begun to notice how happy and free he became, it was almost as if I was looking at a completely different person. Watching Jaden evolve helped me to recognize the healing aspects of movement from a different perspective. I was fortunate to be able to share this intent with my advisor Holly Boda- Sutton. She immediately took me under her wing as she advised and prepared for a career in Dance Movement
The advancement of the nursing field depends on the continuation of research and the development of a theoretical knowledge base. Middle-range theories help improve nursing research and nursing practice by providing a testable hypothesis as a model for directing further research. “The Theory of Music, Mood and Movement (MMM) to Improve Health Outcomes” discusses the use of music as a method to increase activity levels, improve mood and enhance the overall health of the body. Studies using the MMM theory have been conducted to determine improvements in cardiovascular health, reducing depression, interventions in pain management, treatment of stroke victims and improving the overall care of cancer patients and older adults. The theory is a useful tool to further investigate potential benefits of music and health outcomes across all scopes of nursing practice.
This article highlights the physiological improvements in patients by improving respiration, lowering blood pressure, improving cardiac output, reduce heart rates, and lastly, relaxes muscle tension. Music provides musical stimulus and rhythmic structure to assist in the process. Peterson Family Foundation (2016) states that Music therapy, in addition, has many mental benefits by relieving some common effects of stress like: headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, sleep problems, etc. Which in turn cause a decrease in anxiety, sadness, depression, anger, social withdrawal, and so on. The positive changes music can bring about in an individual’s daily life is
... middle of paper ... ... Dance has always served as a form of great exercise that allows people to express themselves through movement, and will continue to do so into the future. Dance education at the elementary level is a place that may need some help with child development, and the way to solve this problem is by getting classroom teachers who are skilled in dance and creative movement instruction.
Murrock, C. J., & Higgins, P.A. (2009). The theory of music, mood and movement to improve health outcomes. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 65(10), 2249-2257.
The movement they engage in allow for certain emotional responses to occur which provides the space for the client to identify their emotion and process their feelings. Dance/movement therapists can also encourage and support their client to try different movement patterns to help challenge them, which in return may help them access new feelings. Motor mirroring is a technique often used in dance/movement therapy sessions to help the client feel validated and accepted for where they are. It also allows the therapist to build empathy and begin to understand the client. Motor observation also is used as part of the therapy process, which is due to the mirror neurons.
Although dance is an art form that as a viewer or audience member is viewed as graceful and flawless, there are many risk that are involved with being a dancer. When people imagine a dance performance, they envision a stage with bright lights, loud music, and colorful costumes. What they do not think about is the joy or thrill that the dancer gets along with preforming in front of a large audience. The idea of having to sit out on that adrenaline rush because of a broken foot or a twisted ankle is every dancers’ nightmare. Dance is a sport or activity in which the body of a performer is constantly put into various motion.
Whether a person is happy or sad they move in a way which they portray their emotions. Many dancers and performers start with dancing to the way they are feeling and begin to put a meaning behind it like telling a story. A performer adds meaning to why they do a certain dance move at a certain time, may it be for a dramatic
More psychological symptoms are experienced such as self-doubt and worry, rather than physiological symptoms thus effecting cognitive outcomes more. In dance, anxiety can affect what we do, how we feel and how we think, which creates problems such as poor co-ordination, impact on motivation and negative emotions. The dancer’s anxiety affects their behavioural, cognitive and affective responses to performing in
... emotionally or physically. Dance is a great way to express yourself when you are happy sad, excited, gloomy, or just to make yourself better. Dance did not start very clean or good, it had a mix of everything and it always will. So people who perform it make the best out of it and it becomes their passion. Always makes the best out of worst by dancing yourself in and out of it.
So how does dance benefit me? Dance benefits me in many ways. Physically, mentally and socially. Physically dance benefits me by giving me an exercise, improving my health, and creating superfluidity in the brain. Mentally dance creates a creative outlet and it can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Socially dance benefits me by making a place where people can meet and create new friendships.
There are many benefits to any and all types of dance mentioned above. One major benefit that is commonly known is that it is a source of physical exercise. However, dance can also make you smarter, reduce stress, increase serotonin levels and can give one a sense of well-being. Dancing can also improve your posture and your weight and lower your risk for heart and blood vessel