[Adta] dance/movement therapists as experts in helping others in varied ways.

[Heather Hill]

Hi Susan and All,
I think that the key knowledge we have is that we live and function through our bodies.  Seems obvious - to us! - but not to the general population.  I find myself continually surprised (but also delighted) at the amazement expressed by people when doing something body-based which is quite simple yet obviously has touched them profoundly.  Especially in our current society with all its technological gizmos and complexities, people really have to be reminded of the beauty of being simply embodied!

Regards,
Heather
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: skdmt2 
  To: 'Heather Hill' ; 'Adta listserve' 
  Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2007 9:56 AM
  Subject: RE: [Adta] dance/movement therapists as experts in helping others in varied ways.


  Thanks Heather, Lori & Donna

  You've all shared wonderful ways we can expand our practices & benefit others on larger scales.

  Your examples triggered another for me where I was working w/ a group of staff from a nearby hospital recently.  This particular hospital system provides groups for their staff on nutrition, healthy living, etc & I often do groups with them. Mainly, I teach them how to listen to their body. When I went to work with the staff of a center that works with new mothers, I worked with them on attunement so they got not only personal, but also professional skills.

  We really have a lot of skills that can be taught & we shouldn't be afraid to do it. 

   

  Susan

   

  Susan Kleiunman, MA ADTR, NCC

   

   


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  From: adta-bounces at adta.org [mailto:adta-bounces at adta.org] On Behalf Of Heather Hill
  Sent: Monday, August 27, 2007 7:45 PM
  To: Adta listserve
  Subject: [Adta] re Bringing Dance to Elders

   

  Hi Donna, Lora and Susan!

   

  Donna, I have put your flyer aside as a good example of an ad for this sort of session.  It looks inviting!

   

  I also wanted to give some of my experience.  I've done many sessions for activities people/care staff working with people with dementia.  I'm quite clear that I'm not teaching dance therapy - but I'm certainly drawing on my dance therapy skills and certainly conveying some of the important aspects of working with people which we dance therapists are so skilled in.

   

  As I would do with a client, I start with where people are at, and build on that.  And that is how I present it to them, viz - you already use some movement...or music...or props, you have this or that experience - now let's build on that.

   

  The other important input I make - which again comes from my dance therapy skills - is to raise people's awareness of the interpersonal (how you approach, sensitivity to personal space etc.) and the environment (creating a space where things can happen).  In other words, every workshop is not just about the WHAT but the HOW.  This is particularly important with people with dementia, but really with anyone.

   

  I guess that is why I think it's great for dance therapists to run these sorts of sessions, because they don't just bring ideas/activities, but can tap into the creativity/skills of the participants and can also encourage that all too important awareness that it's not what you do, but the way that you do it!

   

  I've actually just run such a workshop this weekend, and the feedback was about those very things - increased awareness about working with someone with dementia plus new ideas.  Another piece of feedback was that they felt affirmed in their work and its value.

   

  I guess what's coming clear to me as I write is that we as dance therapists can do more than teach facts (in this case specific activities), but can facilitate a process of learning which taps into the creative capacity of each participant.

   

  Regards,

  Heather
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