We all might have enjoyed dancing in a baraat or at parties. Dance is an integral part of our celebrations and culture, and one of the best ways to signify happiness.

However, the significance of dance goes beyond that – dancing can help us improve our physical and mental health. Curious to know how? This article will guide you through all the benefits that dancing can offer and how it can be used as a medium to elevate mental health. 

Let’s understand what dance movement therapy is. 

What is dance movement therapy? 

Dance movement therapy (DMT) is a type of creative psychotherapy that makes use of movements to promote the physical and mental well being of a person. 

According to the Indian Association of Dance Movement Therapy (IADMT) dance movement therapy is defined as a “psychotherapeutic method that uses movement and creative expression to further socio-emotional, cognitive and somatic integration”.

DMT sessions usually involve warm up, observation and assessment of movements, interventions and much more. The therapist uses DMT as an adjunct to other psychotherapies. 

A systematic review of various studies conducted in 2019 reported that DMT can be used as an effective technique to lower the symptoms of depression in adults. 

Effectiveness of DMT

DMT has been used in various parts of the US and has gradually gained popularity in India. Studies and researches have analyzed the effectiveness of DMT for treating a variety of conditions. 

A pilot study conducted on the graduate and undergraduate students from an Urban University on the effectiveness of DMT in 1999 reported that DMT can play an important role in lowering exam anxiety. 

A separate study conducted by Wonkwang University in September 2015 showed that DMT prompted a significant decrease in the negative psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia.

Another study by Manipal Academy of Higher Education reported that DMT can be used as an effective complementary therapy for children aged between 6-12 years with ADHD. 

How does DMT work? 

DMT can be used effectively with all age groups and is known to improve an individual’s physical and mental health. Here’s a list of issues DMT can help you with: 

Mental health conditions

• Anxiety and stress 
• Depression 
• PTSD 
• Eating disorders 
• Low self esteem 

Cognitive conditions 

• Dementia 
• Autism 
• Communication issues 

Physical conditions

• Chronic pain 
• Obesity 
• Hypertension 
• Chronic heart failure 
• Arthritis
• Cancer 
• Parkinson’s disease 

DMT sessions can be directive or non-directive depending on the needs of the client. These sessions are conducted by a certified or a trained dance movement therapist. The participants are guided towards a number of techniques like inner focus work, tension and release exercises, body awareness, etc. The therapist makes use of dance and movements as the primary mode of assessment and interventions. DMT sessions work well with individuals, groups or in family settings. 

DMT is a mind-body technique. Both the mind and body are inseparable and therefore anything that influences an individual’s body will influence their mind and vice versa. Dancing to the beats of music promotes a liberated state of mind thereby simplifying thoughts and allowing clients to focus more on their body and movements. This enables them to ignore the complex stressors of life and therefore makes them feel relaxed and stress free. 

Studies estimate that dance therapy enhances the secretion of feel-good hormones like serotonin and helps lower stress thereby making individuals feel good. 

“The words and the world limit you but dance and movement liberate you. Your world gets beautiful  and so do you” says Renu Khublani, creative arts and movement therapy facilitator.

Advantages of DMT 

DMT can offer a variety of advantages to the individuals:

• Provides a safe space: DMT provides a safe space to individuals to open up and express their feelings freely through non-verbal cues without the fear of being judged. 

• Promotes self awareness: Practicing DMT allows an individual to focus more on their bodily sensations, feelings and emotions thereby promoting mindfulnesses and an enhanced awareness of their mind and body.

• Coping skills: Both our movements and emotions are closely interlinked. While we are angry or frustrated we tend to constrict our movements. DMT allows bodily movements ultimately leading to the expression of anger or other negative emotions in a healthy manner. 

• Boosts creativity: Dancing forms unique connections in one’s brain. This allows them to become more creative and look for solutions to their existing problems. 

How is DMT different from your dance class? 

Many people still carry the misconception that DMT is the same as a regular dance class where the participants are taught to dance in a particular way. The difference is that people participating in DMT are allowed to dance in the way they wish to under the supervision of a certified dance movement therapist. The therapist ensures them a safe space and confidentiality. 

Places offering DMT

DMT is practised widely in India. Here’s a list of places offering DMT: 

1. Artsphere, Pune

Artsphere was founded by Anubha Doshi and Karishma Harlalka in Pune 10 years ago. Their mission is “To support artists and therapists by providing them with a state-of-the-art physical space, along with educational and employment platforms in order to strengthen their passion for Performing and Therapeutic Arts, globally.”

They offer dance therapy services for organizations along with yoga, pilates and contemporary dance classes. They also provide a PG diploma in dance movement therapy which is a year long program for aspiring DMT professionals. 

2. Manoshala, Farrukhabad

It is a safe space which allows free expression of thoughts and feelings. They offer DMT sessions for individuals and groups for a variety of concerns. Anybody who falls in the age range of 18-38 years can attend the group sessions. They have been providing sessions in India and internationally since 2021 for schools, NGOs and corporate sectors. 

They have experts working across India and therefore can offer in person sessions on request. Interestingly they also have an option where you can gift a wellness workshop to your loved ones.

3. Kinesthetics

The center is run by Preetha Ramasubramanian, founder president of the IADMT. They believe that “every individual is unique and the approach that is used during counseling and psychotherapy does not restrict an individual to a chair rather helps them be creative”. They offer DMT for children and adults in individual or group settings. 

4. Kolkata Sanved 

Sanved primarily focuses to heal and empower the lives of individuals from numerous marginalized communities involving violence and other risks among children and youths. They believe in “empowering lives through dance”. Here’s a list of DMT programs that they offer: 

• Child care institutions 
• Leadership development 
• Creative well-being 
• Schools, colleges and corporates 

Kolkata Sanved also offers diploma and PG diploma in dance movement therapy. 

5. Flux School of Arts, Bangalore

Flux is owned by Sahiba Singh and she has been running it for the past 10 years now. They offer individual sessions and group workshops which are facilitated by the dance therapists. They conduct dance therapy programs for individuals with a variety of mental disorders along with wellness sessions. 

6. Ruchi Shah, Mumbai 

Independently run by Ruchi Shah, this place offers DMT for individuals, group and family settings. She’s a certified dance movement therapist and conducts DMT programs for all the age groups and provides workshops for 

• Mental well being 
• Children with special needs 
• Trauma

Places where therapists can get certified and support 

Are you somebody looking forward to becoming a certified dance movement therapist? Well, here’s a small list of places where you can get licensed and support in India: 

1. Creative Movement Therapy Association of India (CMTAI)

CMTAI is an organization which allows individuals to professionalize in the field of DMT. It was founded in 2014 with an aim to train the existing and potential professionals in the field. They are members of various other organizations like Conseil International de la Danse (CID, Paris) and the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA).

2. Synchrony

Synchrony provides DMT training for people from all over the globe. They have a team of dance movement therapists who guide and supervise the professionals. 

The beauty of DMT lies in how it focuses more on the bodily movements that a person makes rather than how well an individual dances. However individuals tend to believe that DMT may not serve as a successful method for them as they are not good with dance. 

DMT is still evolving and relatively new to India. The studies supporting the effectiveness of DMT are not much known. However, DMT can boost both the mental and physical health of an individual and can prove to be a great alternative if you find it difficult to convey your feelings and emotions verbally.