Musings of a Dance/Movement Therapist

Dancer Frances Wessels ~ Another Octagenerian Role Model

This video speaks for itself.

 

It is women like this who have inspired me on my career as a dance movement therapist. Wessels:

"healthier mentally as well as physically and emotionally" because I think we need to express ourselves in some ways.. . . People who can't express themselves in any way are often stuffed up.... All life is an improvisation and to be able to express it through movement is the most natural, healthful and happiness-producing way to be."

Thanks to Jason Akira Somma for his documentary, Frances Wessels A Portrait of 89 Years. Frances Wessels danced with Hanya Holm and Martha Graham.

Dance Therapists Talk about, Think about, Dance about ....

These are some of the topics folks have been sharing about recently on the American Dance Therapy Association LinkedIn group:

 

And 2 wonderful articles by Kimerer LaMothe, To Dance Is a Radical Act and To Dance Is (More than Just) a Radical Act in Psychology Today online.

No time to write right now. Am working on a dance assignment for Module III of the Laban Certification Training program. Talk about learning through movement. I was just talking with another student about how appreciative I am of all that I am learning through play at this stage in my life.

What Children Need

Brigitta White of Whole Me Programs just sent her thoughts after reading an article to empower parents to support their child's social and emotional development. Here's a link to the full article and below are her thoughts.

Children actually love to share. When they're babies, they like to give us things, and have us give those things back. When they're a bit older, they like to take a plate of cookies and offer one to each person in the room. When older still, they love the games that include everyone in the family. And when they are relaxed and feeling secure, children even love to see someone else enjoy their favorite things.

To be able to share, a child needs to feel a strong sense of connection, he needs to feel loved and warmly accepted. When he feels close to others and emotionally safe, he's not so desperate for the blue shovel or the green balloon. He can wait for a turn. He has what he really needs; a sense of connection buoys him through little disappointments.

But in order to relax and thrive, children need a few more vital things. Blue shovels and green balloons aren't on this list. My list of what a child needs to thrive goes something like this:

The daily opportunity to connect and be relaxed with someone who cares
Emotional warmth and welcome
Respect for his intelligence
Time for play
Lots of affection
Frequent opportunities to laugh together with others
Frequent opportunity to cry, in the shelter of someone's arms, when hurt feelings arise
Information about what is happening and why
Limits—enforced without violence—that promote safety and respect

Brigitta White is a dance movement therapist who teaches childrens yoga, dance and expressive movement in Virginia.

Back Pocket Dancers ~ Book Now

 

Excited to share our promo video. We are looking forward to booking performances for spring in elder venues. If you know of anyone who would like to book us, please let me know.

Free Play is Essential for Healthy Psychological Development

Peter Gray makes a strong case for the importance of free play in helping young people "acquire the social and emotional skills necessary for healthy psychological development." In "The Decline of Play and the Rise of Psychopathology in Children and Adolescents" in the American Journal of Play, Gray argues for the importance of play.

Over the past half century, in the United States and other developed nations,
children’s free play with other children has declined sharply. Over the same period,
anxiety, depression, suicide, feelings of helplessness, and narcissism have increased
sharply in children, adolescents, and young adults. This article documents these
historical changes and contends that the decline in play has contributed to the
rise in the psychopathology of young people. Play functions as the major means
by which children (1) develop intrinsic interests and competencies; (2) learn how
to make decisions, solve problems, exert self-control, and follow rules; (3) learn
to regulate their emotions; (4) make friends and learn to get along with others as
equals; and (5) experience joy.

It certainly makes sense to me. It is clear to me that young people's lives are overly structured by parents and school alike.

Here is a photo of dance therapist Emma Barton using the Octaband with a group of high schoolers who are clearly playing joyfully.

Lest you think only children play:

 

So, here's to play for our health.

Gratitude for My Body and the Dance

As Thanksgiving approaches and I consider all the many blessings I have, I am truly grateful for my health. I cannot say, as some others do, that I still feel like I'm 21. I have aches and pains I didn't used to have, and less endurance than I used to. Of course, if I would dance and stretch more, I would probably feel considerably better. It is difficult to balance the many responsibilities and aspects of my life ~ just one of life's many challenges.

One of my more recent blessings has been dancing with Back Pocket Dancers in Dance me a Story.

This past Monday we performed for the Somerville Council on Aging, thanks to a grant from the Somerville Arts Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Performance is new to me the past few years, and I am grateful for life lessons I learn by performing. For years I didn't perform because I thought I needed to be perfect first. Since it's getting late in my life to be a perfect dancer, I thought I'd better perform anyway if I ever wanted to.

Despite my mistakes, the 70 or 80 folks present seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. My daughter said she found the performance very entertaining. Hopefully, the folktales we danced were also inspiring.

Back Pocket Dancers is seeking bookings in schools, elder and intergenerational venues and community centers. Contact Joan Green for more information. Or contact me.

For Developmental Disabilities, Inpatient Psych, Methadone Clinic - the Octaband Inspires.

More ways to use the Octaband! I'm sure the ideas are limitless. These are just the ones people have recently shared at the ADTA conference and personally.

Dance movement therapist Emma Barton leads a group with mothers and babies in a methadone clinic. When the moms let some of the legs of the Octaband hang down, the toddlers love to run under the Octaband and through the legs. Sometimes the toddlers even braid the legs. While moms are concerned about doing things a certain way, the children are playing. Play leads to healthy development.

My friend's daughter braids the Octaband.

Monica Fischbach, dance movement therapist  in Portland, ME, uses the Octaband individually with clients with developmental delays. I was interested to find that they, too, practice braiding the strands. She finds that the curiosity factor is helpful in engaging them. "It's such a different thing, and they're like, 'What's that?' and it sparks their curisoity. We get to move around and lighten up, and move and laugh." Laughter also leads to improved health.

 

Kinesiologists Using Octaband ~ Safe, Fun and Effective

When kinesiologists at Schlegel Villages in the UK met in October, they shared the Octaband as a tool for functional abilities programming.The article by Kristian Partington, "Octaband Therapy Spreading in the Villages" with photo was posted on October 18, 2011 in Schlegel VillageS Village Voice:

Ripu Mangat is the kinesiologist at the Village of Tansley Woods and is always looking for new ways to stimulate people in her group workouts, and she was instantly intrigued by the idea of the Octaband. In September, the group at Tansley Woods began using one and Ripu hasn’t looked back.

She says the exercises they do are a safe, effective and, most importantly, fun way to gain strength as a group, and the Octaband appeals to people who have cognitive impairments the same as those who are fully cognitive.  

'It’s a lot of fun and the more fun it is, the more (residents) want to do it,' says Ripu, noting that she’s often asked if the Octaband is coming out for the group classes.

Dance as Innovative Therapy for Dementia

This was posted online about innovative treatment for dementia.

Leanne O’Neill presented a paper at the Aged and Community Services Conference in Perth. Leanne told Conference delegates about the Dance Movement Therapy program at IRT Dalmeny, which provides an innovative way to engage with people living with dementia.

“Throughout history, within every culture, dance has provided a means for self expression, movement and the celebration of tradition,” Ms O’Neill said.

“Dance Movement Therapy has its basis in the origins of dance; encompassing a holistic experience that exercises the body and invigorates the soul.”

IRT Dalmeny introduced a Dance Movement Therapy program in 2008 with resounding success.

“Our residents really enjoy participating in the program, which provides positive outcomes for people living with dementia in residential aged care,” Ms O’Neill said.

Tangible long term benefits of the program include:

• increased opportunity to exercise and self determination
• greater social interaction
• increased oxygenation and muscle tone
• improved mobility

“Analysis of the trial period also identified benefits relating to improved cognition, increased sensory awareness and sustained emotional wellbeing,” Ms O’Neill said.

“These outcomes were facilitated by the dance therapist, and were achieved through the provision of opportunities for reminiscence, touch, relaxation and intellectual engagement.

Come Boogie with the Boomers

Heidi Ehrenreich is a very fun dancer, dance teacher and clinically savvy dance movement therapist. She is offering a class this fall in Easthampton, MA. If I lived closer, I'd be there in a heartbeat. She taught a large group of dance therapists zydeco dancing at our conference in New Orleans in 2004 before we headed out for the clubs. What great fun.