Dance therapy or Dance Movement Therapy is the psychotherapeutic process of using dance and movement to explore images, memories, and the personal meaning of life's incidents through symbolic physical action, all of this improve the mental and physical well being of a person. It founded on the relation between the mind and body, that the state of the body may involve mental and emotional wellbeing in diverse ways. In contrast to artistic dance, which is generally involved with the aesthetic form of movement, dance therapy investigates the nature of all movement to promote health and healing.

In the 1940s, the dance as therapy came into existence, especially through the pioneering labors of Marian Chace. In 1966, the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) was created to establish and preserve high standards in the field of dance therapy, by 73 charter members in 15 states. Currently, the Association has grown to nearly 1200 members in 46 states and 20 foreign countries. ADTA conserves a registry of dance/movement therapists who gather specific educational and clinical apply standards.

Founded on the supposition that body and mind are interconnected, dance/movement therapy is defined by the American Dance Therapy Association as "the psychotherapeutic use of movement as a process which furthers the emotional, cognitive and physical integration of the individual." Dance/movement therapy results changes in feelings, cognition, physical functioning, and conduct.

There have been few scientific investigations conducted to evaluate the effects of dance therapy on health, prevention, and recuperation from illness. Dance therapy helps in improving body image; enhancing self-concept and self-esteem; reducing stress, anxiety, and depression; diminishing isolation, chronic pain, and body tension; and growing communication abilities and feelings of well being.Physical activity is known to augment special neurotransmitter substances in the brain (endorphins) which generate a state of well being. And total body movement improves the functions of other body systems, such as circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, and muscular systems.

Dance therapists can help people develop a nonverbal communication that provides information about what is happening in their bodies. The therapist examines a person's movements to make an evaluation and then designs a program to help the exact condition. The frequency and level of complexity of the therapy is generally personalized to meet the requirements of the participants. Dance therapy is used in a diversity of settings with people who have social, emotional, cognitive, or physical concerns. It is regularly used as a part of the recuperation process for people with chronic illness. Some examples are individuals with eating disorders, adult survivors of violence, sexually and physically mistreated children, dysfunctional families, the homeless, autistic children, the fragile elderly, and substance abusers. Dance therapists work with both individuals and groups, including whole families.

Now, dance/ movement therapy is using in illness prevention, health promotion programs and with those who have chronic medical states. Many pioneering programs offer dance/movement therapy for people with cardiovascular illness, chronic pain, hypertension, or breast cancer.

BENEFITS OF DANCE:

A step in time can heal pains. Here are benefits of dance therapy. (TOI article)

For years and across cultures, dance has been a medium to convey stories and a kaleidoscope of emotions. Today, these gracious movements are also being employed to heal because of their therapeutic effects. Called as Dance Movement Therapy, various dance forms are being employed to heal anxiety, and even joint pain and disorders like dyslexia. Dance is great to enhance and increase concentration levels and what more, is even helping people fight Parkinson's disease.

Dance movement therapy involves group sessions, and all kinds of dance forms - Indian classical, modern and contemporary - are helping people from all age groups for various things. Hear Mitali Mohan, who recently met with an accident. As part of her physiotherapy, she was advised to join a contemporary dance therapy session. "Dancing makes you forget your worries for that little while. As the performance needs the application of both your mind and body, you go into a state of trance."

Agrees Vijayshree Chaudhary, a Kathak teacher. "Dance helps achieve the highest level in meditation while it may seem like play." What more, she says it's a great way to work out too.

Any kind of a dance one is comfortable with can be used for dance therapy. Hrishikesh Pawar, a contemporary dance instructor, says, "There are certain patterns in contemporary dance which helps increase concentration and can help hyperactive and dyslexic children as well."

Ronda Chako, who's been detected with Parkinson's, is happy with the results of dance therapy, "In Parkinson's you lose your confidence as it impairs even your simplest functioning. With dance therapy, many like me can at least carry on with our daily chores," she says. Ronda's movements may still be slow, yet very sure.

"The Indian classical dance forms are also known to help attain balance and right posture. It's a good way of therapy. We do recommend it to our patients, if we think it's what they need," says Dr Satyasheel Naik, a well known orthopedic. Agrees Dr Sunil Kore, an orthopedic too, "Any kind of continuous movement is good for the body. Usually patients have it all in their head about being ill. Dance therapy helps boost their spirit as well."

"The way one taps their feet, is also a kind of acupressure therapy," informs Chaudhary, and adds, "It gives one great stamina. If you've noticed, dancers always look younger than their age." So, come and dance for a reason.

Dance will you provide great benefits, such as:

Physical and mental benefits

Dancing can really help to enhance your posture, balance and concentration; which can prevent falls.

Dancing helps the body’s circulatory system as it makes your heart pump blood faster and flow to the brain which encourages direct focus and concentration; improving cardiovascular health.

Dancing fortify your lungs, because you accomplish a cardiovascular activity and it will increase your lungs workload, increasing their capacity.

Strengthen your bones density. Dancing helps to strong the skeleton and reduces the risk of Osteoporosis. This will improve your mobility.

Regular dancing will improve and build muscle tone throughout the body, especially in the legs and buttocks.

Dancing will softly lengthen and fortify your muscles to improve flexibility and increase strength and stamina.

Your grace and agility will improve if your posture, mobility and flexibility improve. Dancing aid in weight loss and it is a great way for people of all ages to get and stay in

shape. Dancing encourages weight control and overall fitness through calorie burn off. Dancing helps you to relax, reducing stress and tension. Dancing improve your brain activity.

Personal and social benefits

Dancing is a good way you meet with other people, make new friends and improve your social life.

Dancing improve confidence and liberates endorphins and encourage feelings of well-being.

Educational benefits

Dance can play a role in altering attitudes to a range of health related subjects including teenage preg

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