Customer Reviews (2)

AWARENESSOFJOY
"What is unique about dance/movement therapy is that it is the patients' feelings as expressed through movement, not the therapist, that provides the structure and influences the direction of therapy" (xi, 100, 106, 162, 185).So the therapist engages with and supports patients' expressions of their own inherent healing powers (3, 27-30, 34, 54, 68, 132, 163).Upon this central dynamic truth Linda Behar-Horenstein and Jane Ganet-Sigel begin *The Art and Practice of Dance/Movement Therapy*, with its rich tapestry of commentary and case studies (Needham Heights, Massachusetts:Pearson, 1999, 209 pages).In a sense, I believe, this work is a biography of Jane Ganet-Sigel's magnificent career and contributions.Linda Behar-Horenstein's research underscores this.

Jane Ganet-Sigel, A.D.T.R., C.S.W., began the Graduate Department of Dance/Movement Therapy at Columbia College Chicago in 1982.A charter member in 1966 of the American Dance Therapy Association, she pioneered the organization of dance/movement therapy in the American Midwest and has taught around the world (*Art*, 44, 49-54).

Having just cried and laughed and cheered through the movie *Billy Elliot*, and graduated a few years ago from the dance/movement therapy program under Jane Ganet-Sigel, I appreciate how she has tackled the nitty-gritty problems of clients and of teaching, sometimes absent in neat abstract presentations of processes (*Art*, 98, 110, 132.)

Many people do not like their bodies.They live much of their lifetimes with movements restricted by emotional scenes and scripts within their body parts as much as their minds.Their potential is diminished and discouraged.

Beyond only verbal interchange and proliferation of various cognitive therapies, however, persons today find atmospheres and settings, conducive to body movement, which expand the range of their self-awareness and rhythmic sense of joy (*Art*, 10, 13, 14, 17, 28).They receive and stimulate socialization.The movements are affectively improvisational and not formal steps as such.The therapist facilitates this.This multifaceted process is called dance/movement therapy.The American Dance Therapy Association and others have additional definitions (*Art*, 10, 69, 167, 169).

Though therapists will be more interested in the book's technical sections, its reader will find that the body is her/his primary means of self-expression and a major channel of emotional healing.The value of this book's concrete descriptions far exceeds its recurrent typographical slips (e.g., Chicago Reed for *Read* Hospital, 22, 24, 38, 40, 132; "cannot . . . cannot," 186; "he" for "she . . . Mahler," 143).

And most of all, readers will benefit from the how-to's of working with clients' agendas instead of imposing their own, skills that Jane Ganet-Sigel superbly conveyed to many grateful students including myself.

Review by Dr. Charles G. Yopst, D.Min., D.T.R.

Interesting and well written review of the best practices in
This is a well written review of the best practices in Movement/Dance therapy. Especially for use with special needs clients - I was most taken with the Chapter on the client who was non-verbal - we may have a candidatefor this type of therapy in my family. Great writing style! ... Read more

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California Institute of Integral Studies. Softcover version. ... Read more

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Supervision of Dance Movement Psychotherapy is the first book of its kind to explore the supervisory process in the psychotherapeutic practice of movement and dance. Helen Payne brings together international contributors to discuss how the language of the body plays an important part in the supervisory experience for psychotherapists and counsellors.

Contributors consider a variety of models and examine the role of supervision in a range of professional and cultural settings, forming a theoretical base to current practice in dance movement psychotherapy. Chapters include:

• an overview of supervision in dance movement therapy
• working psychotherapeutically with the embodied self
• transcultural issues
• the use of authentic movement in supervision
• a novice practitioner’s experiences.

Outlining key concepts from both theory and practice, this book contributes towards a deeper understanding of the mentor-trainee relationship and the curative power of movement and dance. Supervisors and supervisees in dance movement psychotherapy as well as the arts therapies, counselling, and psychotherapy will find it invaluable.

Customer Reviews (2)

Comprehensive and a bit academic
I use this more for reference. It's very comprehensive and covers many different types of creative therapies with well written articles/chapters on each. My only con about this is that it can get a bit too academic in a sense, and with creative arts being such an experiential sort of therapy, it takes much of the real world experience out of the whole concept by being so academic. Still, it's good for really trying to understand the history and thoughts and hypotheses about creative arts therapies.

Great Overview
This book has many different opinions, which, when you are looking for an overview, gives you a more rounded experience.I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an introduction into the expressive therapies, but some prior knowledge of the arts as well as psychology is helpful. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Final Word
This is the definitive word on dance therapy.It discusses practical approaches that appear both well-documented, fundamentally sound and written in way that is engaging and non-technical.Recommended for practioners or anyone who is interested in learning more about this field.

An impressive collection of papers on dance therapy research
It was my privilege to write the Foreword to this book. Robyn Cruz and Cynthia Berrol were guided by their shared vision ofa comprehensible and useful text written by authors with exemplary credentials.Their inspiring and informative work is a significant contribution to the literature.If you are interested in exploring questions aboutthe living body in dance therapy, read this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Useful how-to book for dance movement class for seniors or participants with disability
I borrowed this book from the public library and renewed it three times.So I ended up deciding to purchase it because there were so many useful tips in this book.There is a section that gives detailed movement practice for each body section from head, eyes, face, shoulders, etc.Easy to use and some illustrations/pictures included.Also some background about movement therapy.It is an older book but I am glad to have added this in my stretch class lesson plan for adults and seniors. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Dance Magazine, published by Thomson Gale on August 1, 2007. The length of the article is 1325 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Somatic practices, movement arts, and dance medicine.(DANCE FINDER)(Directory)
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication: Dance Magazine (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 1, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 81Issue: 8Page: 96(2)

Article Type: Directory

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

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The collected writings of one of the most influential luminaries of American dance. ... Read more

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The purpose of Korean Sun (Zen) Buddhism is to find one=s true self to attain enlightenment and to end the suffering of mankind. Sun Mu-Zen dance, more than just expressing aesthetic beauty, is a preparation for attaining the goal of enlightenment. As such, Zen dance has adopted the basic disciplines of Buddhism along with the basic techniques of enlightenment exists beyond words and concepts, a number of very definite and specific exercises have been developed to give people the correct mind/ body alignment to enter the enlightened state. In this book, the author discusses the philosophy and principles of Sun Mu; the basic techniques, including tanjun breathing, emotional control and improvisation, the yin-yang theory in Sun Mu; the attitude of a Sun Mu dancer; and Sun Mu dance therapy, which in addition to being beneficial to good exercise, serves as a rehabilitation practice for those with spinal problems as well. ... Read more

Product Description
A review of techniques derived from the creative arts that have proven beneficial in mental health, rehabilitation, and special education settings. It begins with a brief overview of the background and philosophy underlying therapeutic use of the arts, and a basic framework for applying the arts as therapy. The majority of the book's chapters are by experienced practitioners who provide the reader with access to "track-tested" materials requiring a minimum of training to understand and apply. Chapters present activities in folklore and ritual, movement, art, dance, music, and drama. ... Read more