Body Integration: Trudi Schoop / Rhythm Drumming

 

I

Research

 

-Focused attention (FA) practices will be played the weeks of Feb 19 and March 18

 10 min_FA_SR_MaleVoice

 

 

FA Instruction

You will be engaging in a focused attention practice. During this practice, you will be instructed to notice when your mind has wandered to external distractions, like a light, or to internal distractions, like your thoughts. When you notice these distractions, you will be instructed to become aware of them without judgment and to redirect your attention back to your breath. You will continue to bring your attention back to the breath, over and over again, throughout the practice. If at any time you feel uncomfortable or agitated, know that you can always choose to stop the practice

Post-practice

Now that the practice has finished, I'd like to hear from two students. Please share in 1-2 words what you observed as you engaged in the practice. When students respond, please say, “thank you for your response.” Only respond further if you feel it is necessary (e.g., a student expresses distress).

 

Use email for sound file

 

Check In

 

II 

 Unit: Body Integration

Theme: Trudi Schoop / Rhythm Drumming

 

Introduction

Rhythm can be defined as a strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound. Drumming is defined as a continuous rhythmic sound. Thus, rhythm and drumming put together could be described as a strong continuous rhythmic sound with a repeated pattern of movement or sound. Trudi Schoop idea of using rhythm and drumming with people with schizophrenia helped clients to develop a sense of body limits. As clients experience cathexis, their sense of body parts becomes satisfactory. The rhythm and the drumming help clients to be aware of their body parts.

 

III

Learning Objectives

• Understand the importance of observation when working with clients.

• Explain the use of body-ego technique in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia

• Gain an awareness of the importance of rhythm in Schoop's body-ego approach 

• Experience the hypothetical application of rhythm drumming on clients who have schizophrenia 

   

  IV
  

  Main Lesson 

   

   1

  
  

2

Body Cathexis

Cathexis: In psychoanalysis, cathexis (or emotional investment) is defined as the process of allocation of mental or emotional energy to a person, object, or idea.

Body Cathexis is defined as the degree of satisfaction or dissatisfaction one feels towards various parts and aspects of their own body. This evaluative dimension of body image is dependent on a person's investment of mental and emotional energy in body size, parts, shape, processes, and functions, and is integral to one's sense of self-concept. 

First recognized by Jourard and Secord, body cathexis is assessed by examining correlations between measures of self-concept or esteem and bodily attitudes. An individual's evaluation of their own body tends to drive various behaviors, including clothing choices and weight management, and the existence of a universal ideal for certain dimensions of body type is, in many cases, a source of anxiety and insecurity.

Question 1

 How is the body-ego technique useful in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia?

--------------------------------------------------------

 3

 

Trudi Schoop: Rhythm Drumming

 

Trudi’s use of rhythm and music was one of her most important interventions in the field. She believed that with the use of rhythm one could create a more flexible acceptance of more difficult life situations. There is rhythm in everything, and Schoop worked to emphasize that by bringing to light the rhythm in everyday activities. (Levy, 2005) 

"When the beat is firmly established, I can ask them to move their body parts to it. The fact that they are interpreting their own rhythms, not mine, makes them enjoy the performance much more" (Schoop & Mitchel, 1974, p. 199). (Levy, 2005, p. 67)

 

Question 2

 

Why was rhythm important in Schoop's therapeutic approach? 

 

 

4

 

Journal Article (Paragraph 4)

Body Image and Body Experience Disturbances in Schizophrenia: an Attempt to Introduce the Concept of Body Self as a Conceptual Framework

 

----------------- 

V 

 

 A Note to Remember

 

 The rhythm drumming exercise allows clients with schizophrenia to use different body parts and subsequently develop a better sense of body limits. Recent studies describe the client's experience as a "dysfunction of perception (e.g., sensory information processing)." For instance body size perception due to tactile stimuli when dealing with schizophrenic patients reveal that they underestimated the size of their legs (Sakson-Obada, 2016).

 

VI

Case Study

 

 

Simple Schizophrenia

Question 3

Write your main observations about the patient's behavior?

Activities

 

1

• Play random instruments until they harmonize as an ensemble and create a rhythm.
• 
  
• Gather in two groups: one plays and the other dances.
• 
  
• Write about the experience as players and dancers
• 
  
• Take turns; those who danced play and those who played danced
• 
  
• Write about the experience

Question 4

 

How would you use this activity with your clients?

------------------------------------ 

2

Imagine a scenario in which the have to apply what you have learned in class so far. Developed a therapy session for patients with an inability to sense their own personality or identity. 

 

Question 5

 

Create a scenario in which, you, as the dance/movement therapist, apply the concept of rhythm in your session. Post a brief explanation of your imagined therapy session on Discussion Board. 

 

VII

Jornaling

 

VIII

Glossary

 

IX

Sources

Collins, Rachel.  Foundations of Dance Movement Therapy

://rachaelcollins.weebly.com/uploads/1/9/5/8/19584309/rachael_collins-_foudations_of_dmt_final_paper.pdf

Sakson-Obada, O. et al (2016). Body Image and Body Experience Disturbances in Schizophrenia: an Attempt to Introduce the Concept of Body Self as a Conceptual Framework. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5845076/

 

X

Students' Work 

Camryn Mcdonald 

Mindfulness Exercise

This exercise induced peace and stability. I was able to center my thoughts while my eyes were closed. After opening my eyes I felt refreshed and reentered.

 

Case Study

In the video, the patient seemed semi cognizant of the interviewer's questions however she tended to drift her answers towards topics not being mentioned by the interviewer. She seemed very adrift and illustrated spaced behavior.

Circle Drumming

This exercise felt very unique and adventurous. Experimenting with instruments I've never encountered before made it more intriguing. The combination of sounds contributed to interactive compositions which ultimately made me super engaged and occupied. I think the initial intensities of the beats coincide with how each person felt eventually leading to symphony.