What is Movement Therapy?
Movement is fundamental to human life. In fact movement is life.
What are the origins of Movement Therapy?
Western movement therapies generally developed out of the realm of dance. Many of these approaches were created by former dancers or choreographers who were searching for a way to prevent injury, attempting to recover from an injury or who were curious about the effects of new ways of moving. Some movement therapies arose out of the fields of physical therapy, psychology and bodywork.
What are the benefits of Movement Therapy?
The physical benefits of movement therapy include greater ease and range of movement, increased balance, strength and flexibility, muscle tone and coordination, joint resiliency, cardiovascular conditioning, enhanced athletic performance, stimulation or circulation, prevention of injury, pain relief and relief from rheumatic, neurological, spine, stress and respiratory disorders.
Movement therapy can also be used as a meditation practice to quiet the mind and increase self awareness, alleviating emotional distress expressed through the body. These conditions include; eating disorders and anxiety attacks. Since movements are related to thoughts and feelings, movement therapy can also bring about changes in attitude and emotions. People report an increase in self-esteem and self-image.