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

[skdmt2]

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

 

 

  _____  

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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