Ellie Karofsky
After
being a part of this class for the past semester, I have learned so many things
about the importance of dance and about myself. I have learned that moving
one’s body in many way scan lead to the release of compressed emotions, allow
one to express their deepest feelings, and can lead to happiness. From learning
about Tai Chi and its relaxing yet strengthen ways to salsa dancing as a form
of connecting with another. All the types of dances we discussed taught me about
the diverse ways one could move one's body for different needs. I learned about
myself that I am very reserved and do not express myself through dance very
often because I do not always open myself up to others, and dancing can let
others see my emotions and inner thoughts. However, I have learned the
importance of letting others in and allowing myself to express who I am.
Towards
the beginning of this class, I was not so sure of the way that I would have to express
myself In front of a class. But, as time went on, and as the class grew closer
together and we all connected with one another, I felt more comfortable dancing
with this class. It was a very different class from the ones that I have taken
as it used interactions between each other, and moving our bodies in ways that
we usually would not. However, I enjoyed this. I enjoyed watching professor
Morejon teach us to express ourselves by expressing himself to us, as teachers
do not always connect with the class in the way that he did. The classroom felt
like a safe space, and it was always a good start to my day.
Going
forward, I will take a lot of what I have learned from this class with me.
Whether it be in the middle of a study session to take a break and move my body
to relax myself, or when going out and dancing to make myself and others smile.
I will also take from this class the way that I perceive others. When meeting
new people, I can see how they move their bodies and how this might reflect who
they are or what they are feeling. Overall, I have learned so much from this
class and look forward to using what I have learned in the future.
20
Freeing my Body for Movement
Aidan Cantillo
Throughout
the course of this semester, I have found myself lost. I have been lost
mentally, in terms of motivation, and emotionally in terms of depression.
Although this semester has been particularly difficult, I’ve found an
unexpected solace in this class. I have thoroughly enjoyed coming to class
every day, and being able to reflect on where I am, what I want, and what I
have. It has been extremely helpful to help put my life into perspective,
knowing that there are millions, if not billions of people that would want to
be in the position I am in today. I feel that the biggest thing I have taken
away from this class is that ability to slow down and put my life in
perspective, as well as better understand what motivates me, and what goals I
have for myself in both the near and distant future. Especially during my down
moments this semester, coming to this class has always been a great way to
press reset for the week and really focus on what is important to me.
As
opposed to a class with a more traditional learning style, the hands on and
experiential learning style of this course has been extremely helpful to me. I
wish that other professors would try to incorporate similar teaching
philosophies. From the hands on learning, I found it much easier to understand
the concepts we were learning. When you are actually doing and experiencing the
material, I find that you remember it almost as muscle memory, as opposed to a
simple memory. I also found it easier to remember the same material in the
following weeks.
As
I talked about earlier, this class has greatly improved my ability to stop and
reflect on my current situation. I think that the biggest takeaway I will have
from this class is how freeing my body for movement can help me realize and
understand my goals, motivations, and fears. When I allow my body to be free
and move, my mind is cleared much easier. Even without movement, my ability to
reset and ground my mind has greatly improved. I know that if I ever start to
slide down into a bad place, I will have my mind to fall back on, as opposed to
my enemy.
21
Alignment Throughout the Soul
Victoria
Thomas
I appreciated that the professor acknowledged all aspects of
the student life to present a safer environment. He understood the challenges
of being a college student in unfamiliar territory and trying to find ways to
navigate. Throughout the semester we remained consistent by starting the
session and ending the session in the same manner. It emphasized the
sacredness; it was beyond just a class; it was a session. I learned so much
more about my body when I was given the time to focus and pay attention to it.
The body will tell you and give you more signs that something is not okay
compared to your brain. The brain processes large amounts of information on a
daily basis. This could be due to the fact that the brain is constantly moving
and absorbing information throughout the day, making it difficult to fully
process certain experiences that may be unlikable or traumatic. Focusing
attention on certain areas that have subconsciously been abandoned can improve
overall well-being.
I was open to the exercises and sessions taught throughout
the semester. I liked being able to perform the exercises during the group
presentations. As someone who's grown in a generation in a specific time frame
where people judge each other merely for expressing themselves, I applaud the
teacher’s unbiased and accepting nature towards the class. It made me feel more
secure and confident to be able to express the exercises in the most authentic
way possible. I was unfamiliar with a lot of the material covered in regard to
the research and experimenters of DMT. I am open to more ways to improve my
health through DMT practices. When you give yourself that love and attention to
certain parts of the body, overall, you will feel better. Allowing attention to
be paid to my body permits alignment throughout the soul. It strives you for
success once you know that the inside is OK and authentic.
As a proud Psychology major, I’ve covered a plethora of
theories and concepts in the psychology world. In the various groups of
therapy, I learned, they never emphasize or even bring up the concept of Dance Movement
Therapy as a form of psychotherapy. During my time studying psychology, much of
the emphasis is the attention to the activities in the brain. In a sense, I
almost lost track of the somatic responses, besides non-verbal communication.
But, to recognize dance as a form of therapy speaks volumes. I’ve danced all my
life, and I always had a passion for pushing my body to do things I could never
imagine. It is a form of release, but I never understood why. It’s because
during those times at practice or even in this class, I am able to cognitively
shift my focus on the sensations of my body. What I want to focus on as I enter
the field of psychology on a professional level is getting help for people in
the black community, especially because of how badly stigmatized mental health
is in our community. Dance is a form of culture within the Caribbean community.
It has a spiritual and cultural presence. I think this therapy can be applied
in the black space because most times we, as a people, struggle to articulate
our problems, especially in a world that always tells us we are less than, we
don’t matter, and our struggles don’t matter. However, we embrace ourselves
through music and movement.
22
More Inclusive and Emotionally Resonant
Amanda Ayres
I loved learning about
different techniques used in dance movement therapy throughout this course. One
of the most impactful takeaways from this dance movement therapy class was learning
about and using the circle as a foundational element, it was profoundly
impactful. The circle, representing unity, safety, and continuity, provided a
non-hierarchical space where we could come together as one. I also enjoyed
learning about kinesthetic empathy. The exercises we practiced, such as eye
contact, joining, attunement, and mirroring, reinforced the power of movement as
a medium for empathy. These activities not only heightened our awareness of others'
emotional states but also demonstrated how deeply technology has impacted our
empathic connections, making the lessons learned here even more valuable.
The experiential nature of this
class deeply enhanced my learning experience and personal growth. Engaging
directly with the practices of DMT allowed me to harness these tools for stress
regulation and set a positive tone for my day. Each session was not just about
learning techniques; it was about embodying them and experiencing their effects
firsthand. This hands-on approach helped cement my understanding of the material
and its applications, making the learning process both enjoyable and deeply
informative. It was a privilege to partake in a learning environment that so
actively involved the body and mind in tandem. I feel like learning from doing
was very valuable.
Integrating the principles of
dance/movement therapy into my personal life, especially in my yoga practice and
mindfulness routines, has opened new avenues for both personal healing and
growth. Understanding the principles of dance movement therapy allows me to
approach yoga with a deeper sense of how movements can heal and connect us on
more than just a physical level. This knowledge enhances my ability to use yoga
as a therapeutic tool, not only for myself but in guiding others to find their
own peace and emotional balance. The concepts learned in DMT, such as creating
safe spaces and facilitating purposeful movements, now inform how I structure my
workouts, making them more inclusive and emotionally resonant. I also plan to continue
to integrate mindful movement into my daily life, and share the benefits with
others.
23
Incorporating DMT components
Sydney Hausman
This class has taught me very
useful tools not just about dance movement therapy but also about myself. A
variety of lessons can be learned from dance movement therapy (DMT), which makes
it a special and successful type of therapeutic intervention. Fundamentally,
DMT makes use of the body's inherent mobility to promote social, emotional,
cognitive, and physical integration. This therapy method promotes holistic
healing and growth because it is based on the experimentally supported theory
that the mind and body are fundamentally connected. Patients may benefit from
increased emotional resilience, alleviation of psychological discomfort,
and increased self-awareness and self-esteem. DMT helps many people articulate
ideas and emotions that they might find hard to put into words, which enhances
their ability to communicate and control their emotions.
Since dance movement therapy is
an experiential learning environment, taking this class was quite enlightening.
With the help of this learning approach, I was able to interact with the content
on a deeper level on a physical, mental, and intellectual level. Personal
experience with the motions gave theoretical ideas life, resulting in a
memorable and influential learning environment. With more empathy and
understanding among classmates as a result of shared experiences, this practical
approach contributed to the development of a positive and encouraging community
environment. The chance to consider my own and other people's movements helped
me become more self-aware and appreciative of the rich stories and complicated
emotions that can be told through movement.
I can use the ideas and methods
I've acquired in dance movement therapy in a variety of meaningful ways because
I'm a teacher. DMT can be used in the classroom to help pupils gain social and
emotional skills. For example, incorporating movement-based exercises at
the beginning or end of classes may help students better prepare for learning,
reduce stress, and become more engaged. Incorporating DMT components, such as
nonverbal communication and body language as a means of expressing emotion, also
helps me better understand and address the needs and moods of my kids. This
method not only helps to create a more responsive and empathic learning
environment, but it also gives students the tools they need to communicate their
emotions and regulate their behavior, two important life skills.
24
Into
the Shoes of an Actual DMT Session
Nicholas Gioino
I really enjoyed this class,
especially the way professor Morejon taught. The class was extremely engaging, I
knew that I would put the techniques into practice each class. The way the class
began with the check in was extremely thoughtful as we were able to gauge how
everyone was feeling as we got into class. The second takeaway I got was the
closing out of each class. It was a great way to decompress and connect as a class
before we got the remainder of our day started.
The experiential nature of this
class was a unique experience I have never experienced before in a class at
UMIAMI. The class allowed us to put everything we watched in the video or
discussed on the discussion board into practice. Performing the exercises
allowed us to feel the effectiveness of the movement and somewhat put us into
the shoes of an actual DMT session. Aside from performing the exercises , I thought
commenting on the process of it in the discussion board was extremely helpful.
Describing the experience and
putting it into words allows us to summarize the exercise in a way a person not
experiencing the exercise can feel a similar way, as well as help us better
understand the effectiveness of the exercise. I already apply all of the things
I learned in this class into my daily life. As soon as we started the semester I
found all of the exercises extremely beneficial. The deep breathing after every
session is something I incorporate into my daily life. During a stressful
situation I make sure I take deep breaths in order to relax and de-elevate stress.
Another aspect of the class that I particularly enjoyed and tried to incorporate into
my life was walking meditation. The walking meditation showed me different methods
of mental and bodily relaxation.
25
DMT in My Life Going Forward
Bennett
Resnick
Coming from the
field of architecture, I initially thought that dance movement therapy was in no
way, shape, or form related to my course of studies. Instead, I first saw this
class as an outlet or a way to add some relaxation to my week. While that is
still an important aspect of the class, it has come to have an entirely more
significant meaning in my life over these past few months. My other passion is
psychology, and it is a field that I was lucky enough to achieve a minor in. In an
attempt to marry the two fields most near and dear to my heart—architecture
and psychology—I am in the long process of writing a book called “A Subconscious
Architecture,”which I plan to work on throughout my entire career. It explores
the ways in which we are subconsciously forming opinions and being emotionally
affected by spaces each day of our lives.
In a very
relevant way, dance movement therapy has many parallels to these set of
ideas.My main takeaway from dance movement therapy is that moving your body,
whether guided or free form, helps one understand and express their emotions,
even if they are not aware of the way in which they are feeling. It ties into
the presentation my group did on skin picking disorder (SPD)—patients with SPD
are able to use dance as a way to uncover why they are picking at their skin and
redirect that compulsion into a healthier habit. The subconscious is away to
bridge the gap between the fields of dance and architecture. Both are art
forms, but beyond that, they affect the human mind in ways not always seen
physically. It is key for the individual to stop and breathe, taking a moment to
unpack the way they are feeling. Why does being in a classroom without windows
make me feel anxious? Why does dancing contemporary make me feel relaxed? These
are all questions we can ask ourselves to take a step back and appreciate the
ordinary.
An aspect that
I truly enjoyed about this class is its experiential nature. It was not
merely about learning; it was about applying. It helped me concretely understand
the ideals we were being taught through a full-body experience. Like architecture,
dance is a hands-on area of study.It is not enough to just talk about its
concepts, yet to fully appreciate them, we must move. Through movement, we can
uncover things we would not realize if we had just stayed still.Visiting a
building helps you understand things about it that you would not get from a
book, such as its size, lighting, acoustics. Similarly, doing a dance movement
therapy session helps you understand things you wouldn’t get from just reading a
PowerPoint, such as how something feels or how it makes you feel.
Overall, dance
movement therapy has helped me to not just appreciate the tie
between architecture and psychology, but it has helped me to understand the
interconnectedness of various artistic fields. It is what makes those who study
the arts vastly different than our colleagues in STEM. We are able to better
understand the abstract and tune in to our innermost feelings. We are able to
explore how to express ourselves and attempt to break away from the neuroticism
of our daily lives. Dance movement therapy will continue to be a way in which
I view the subconscious, and it will certainly be an asset in writing my book.
26
Weaving Together
my Diverse Interests
Arantza Miro Quesada Grados
This
class provided me with a more comprehensive understanding of the
relationship between therapy, expression, dance, and healing. I
discovered the profound insights that can be gleaned about a person's
inner world from even the subtlest movements of their body. One story
that particularly resonated with me was when you shared how one of your
students stared at the window, contemplating “life outside the classroom.” This
anecdote, coupled with your discussion on how we are the architects of
our own lives, prompted deep reflection. I believe it's crucial to find
environments where one can continuously cultivate new experiences,
whether in relationships, personal growth, academic pursuits, or in
creating a sense of home. Our surroundings profoundly influence our
body, mind, and soul.
I
had the opportunity to truly immerse myself in the experience of
letting my body play and letting go. Prior to this, in dance classes, I
often hesitated to allow my body to move freely, feeling apprehensive
about unleashing its true potential. This hesitation led me to believe
that I lacked the ability to express myself through movement. Throughout
my life, I've faced judgment and ridicule, making it challenging to
express myself without experiencing feelings of shame or guilt. However,
the atmosphere in this class was different. Everyone demonstrated
respect and attentiveness, following instructions such as closing their
eyes when prompted. This created a sense of safety and trust within the
environment. There was no ridicule or mockery; instead, there was
genuine support for each student's contributions and movements. This
supportive environment provided me with the encouragement I needed to
quiet my inner doubts and embrace freedom and creativity in my
movements. As a result, I felt at ease and truly happy for having taken
the leap to fully express myself.
As
a psychology major with a strong passion for the arts and literature, I
find myself drawn to the realm of Expressive Arts Therapy. I’ve been
reading the book "Tending the Fire," which describes the concept of
creativity as an inner flame, a source of vitality within oneself. The
book emphasizes the significance of creating a conducive space to make
use of both internal and external resources to kindle this flame,
thereby eliciting emotions that can be channeled into meaningful
artistic expressions. My affinity for dance aligns closely with this
perspective. The insights gained from this class incited me to delve
deeper into the realm of dance therapy. By integrating my personal
experiences in dance therapy with the theoretical frameworks of
expressive arts therapy and psychoanalysis, I aim to enrich my
understanding and practice in this field. Furthermore, my passion for
writing fuels my excitement to explore various subjects and weave them
together in my writing, including my own experiences, perspectives, case
studies, and theoretical insights. I look forward to weaving together
my diverse interests and areas of expertise to contribute meaningfully
to the interdisciplinary discourse.
27
The Roles of the Therapist and the Client
Chisom Alumba
Before taking this class, I did not know what dance movement
therapy was. I thought it was a form of healing through body movements,
but dance movement therapy encompasses more than that. It is a form of
psychotherapy that deals with body movements to understand a client's
psyche. This class helped me to understand that there are different
forms of therapy apart from cognitive behavioral therapy and I learnt
the various techniques of DMT that can be used and how important the
interpretations of the techniques are. By taking this class, I learnt
the roles of the therapist and the client and how therapist-client
relationships are formed and strengthened. I also learnt that being a
DMT therapist is not for everyone. One has to be dedicated to the work
and they should also be a dancer to fully understand their role as a
therapist.
While taking this class and exploring the various techniques
used in DMT, I got to see a glimpse of how DMT is carried out. By
performing the movements and by observing how Professor Jorge asked
questions based on our movements and how he made inductions based on our
answers. It opened my mind to the DMT world, and it made me realize
that everyone has a different reason for doing a particular movement,
even if two people are doing the same movement. It felt amazing taking
what I had learned from my psychology classes and merging it with what I
was learning in the DMT class. It was also interesting seeing how the
phrase ‘the body does not lie’ came to play multiple times.
As someone who is interested in healthcare and who aspires to
go to medical school and become a physician, I have come to the
understanding that CBT is not for everyone. There are other forms of
therapy that people can benefit from more and when I have the chance to
share that information with my patients, I would like to. I have also
learnt that by carrying out DMT, one can be more in tune with one's body
and that can help with healing in ways that talking or medication
cannot. With this information that I have learnt, I will be sure to
implement it into my practice when diagnosing my patients. Instead of
going straight ahead with medication, especially with children or young
adults, I will suggest DMT first and see how my patients feel about that
process. I will also include DMT in patients that need medication
because a combination of both can be more beneficial than the
medications alone.
28
The Importance of Being Present
Dance movement therapy has been a transformative experience for me,
enriching my life in ways I never imagined. Through this practice, I've
discovered a profound connection between my body and mind, learning to
express emotions and thoughts through movement. This form of therapy has
taught me to be more aware of my body's signals and to listen to its
needs, fostering a deeper sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance.
It has been an outlet that I have used to really set my day right and
get my body moving in the right direction. It was a place where I felt accepted, appreciated, and loved by my peers. I believe that I really
loved it because I got to have a real connection with all of the members
in the room and get to just be myself.
Dance movement therapy class has provided me with a safe space for
exploration and expression. It has allowed me to release built-up
emotions, reduce stress, and improve my overall well-being. I've learned
that movement can be a powerful tool for healing, helping me to
navigate challenges and gain a clearer perspective is some parts of my
life. This class has not only enhanced my physical health but also my
mental and emotional resilience and has provided me with valuable coping
mechanisms that I can apply in various aspects of my life. I am happy
to say that I am coming out of the class with so many activities and exercises that I can incorporate into my daily life, one especially
being breathing exercises.
As I move forward, I will carry with me the lessons and insights
gained from dance movement therapy. I have learned the importance of
being present in the moment and embracing the full range of emotions
that come with it. I will continue to use movement as a means of
self-expression and self-care, recognizing its ability to promote
healing and growth. This class has been a journey of self-discovery, and
I am grateful for the profound impact it has had on my life.
29
Energy and Comfortability Exchange
Molly
Brady
Originally
when enrolling in Dance Movement Therapy, I did not have a clear vision of what
I was expecting from the course. As the semester comes to a close, I am very
grateful to have participated and had the opportunity to learn so much about
various forms of therapy and about myself. I appreciate the emphasis on how
beneficial basic movement of your body is for your health. It reminded me of
how sensational, energizing and important exercise, in any form, is. I feel as
though I value my ability to move and athletic interests more because of this
course.
One
particular exercise that will stick with me and taught me more about myself was
the eye contact exercise we completed earlier in the semester. Throughout
college I have noticed a correlation between my confidence and ability to hold
eye contact, publicly speak, express opinions, and mood rebounding. I knew the
eye contact activity was going to be a challenge for me but I was up for it. I
am fascinated with the difference in energy and comfortability exchanged when
doing the exercise with women versus men. I don’t foresee another circumstance
where I am forced to stare into someone else's eyes and I am honestly grateful
to have gone through this process.
The
days I enjoyed the most in class were when we were up and actually performing some
sort of movement or collaborative activity. Every time I felt more relaxed, in
a better mood, and overall happier to have time away from a screen.
Additionally, I was once a dancer and have a passion for health and exercise,
so stretching and moving in a therapeutic way was very satisfying for me. I
found the content and history of Dance Movement Therapy very interesting as
well. I’m happy that a more homeopathic treatment is being explored with
several different mental and physical disorders and diseases. I’m curious to
learn more as more experimentation is conducted.
In
regard to the application of DMT, I believe that it can be applied in nearly
every aspect of life. Eye contact, body language, posture and improvisation are
all actions and concepts implemented in daily life. I have increasingly begun
to observe others’ bodies when they speak or move to help me further read their
feelings and fully analyze situations. It is already becoming easier for me to understand
how people act, feel and who they are from this practice. It is important to
slow down and take time to care and consider the things that seem so minor to everyday
life. I am truly thankful to have focused my energy on this topic of health in
my last year of school.
30
Interesting and Inspiring
While
I did not know what to expect upon enrolling in DAN 291, Dance Movement
Therapy, I can now say, as the semester draws to a close, that I am so
happy I chose to take this course for an elective. I thoroughly enjoyed
the flexible, creative nature of this course, as opposed to the
rigorous, exam-heavy structure that I am used to in most university
classes. I felt more mentally replenished in this class than drained,
which I am not used to. By participating in daily check-ins and closing
circle exercises, I believe it created a great energy in the classroom
that made it feel both safe and inclusive for all of my classmates and
I. Also, I found that I paid attention to the content more since I
wasn’t stressed about completing accompanying homework assignments or
studying for exams to follow. Many of our discussions piqued my interest
and I really liked watching the videos and reading the texts that went
with them.
As
I started to say before, the learning style of this class was by far
the best experience I’ve had at UM. The way content was presented to us
eliminated all stress and made me more attentive. I knew that what we
were learning was actually meaningful and could make a difference not
just in my grades but in my life outside of school. The videos were
informative and Jorge always shared very meaningful stories and life
lessons that truly resonated with me. I never tell my roommates and
friends about what I learned in my other science classes, but there were
many times this semester that I noticed I was telling my friends about
what I learned in dance movement therapy because it was truly so
interesting and inspiring. Overall, I loved the experiential nature and I
wish more classes harbored such a strong application to our real lives.
Not to mention, I loved when we incorporated movement work, dance
moves, and stretches into class time! It was very relaxing.
Lastly,
there are so many aspects of my life that I can apply what I have
learned in DAN 291 to. For instance, I realized how much our posture and
presentation says about who we are as people. Jorge once said you can
learn so much about someone’s confidence just by seeing how they walk.
Now, I constantly notice people who walk upright and confidently, as
opposed to those slouching and having their head buried in their phone
or looking off into the distance. I’ve come to learn that avoidant or
insecure people often don’t notice that they carry themselves with such
poor posture, and this tends to shape their relationships with others
and how people may perceive them. Therefore, one of my biggest takeaways
from this class was that your ability to be present and make the most
of every second of your life and every person-to-person interaction can have a
much more profound impact on your life than you may think. You get into
this life what you put out. Carrying yourself in a confident, collected
manner and being present allows you to take advantage of every
opportunity before you.
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