Dance Movement Therapy - S / Spring 2024

  I   Unit: Positive Psychology Them: Hero's Journey   Introduction   Positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life most worth living, focusing on both individual and societal well-being. It studies "positive subjective experience, positive individual traits, and positive institutions...it aims to improve quality of life.   The  Hero's Journey  is a classic story structure that's shared by stories worldwide. Coined by American   professor of literature Joseph Campbell (1904 - 1987) the Hero's Journey illustrates how life can be seen as a transformational process. For this reason, anything that happens in one's life, even if negative, can be viewed as part of learning and making sense.     II   Learning Objectives  Understand the Hero's Journey  Explain the different stages of the Hero's Journey Gain an awareness of the importance of one's own journey Experience the creation of one's own indiv...

   I   Check In   II Introduction What is Authentic Movement? Authentic Movement is a completely self-directed form in which individuals discover a movement pathway that offers a bridge between the conscious and the unconscious . Authentic Movement explores the relationship between a mover and a witness, being seen and seeing.     III Objectives  Understand the fundamental principles and nature of authentic movement Explain the need to use authentic movement as a healing practice Gain an awareness of the role of the dance movement therapist in the mover and witness relationship Experience the way authentic movement may work in a DMT session    IV Main Lesson 1 Mary Whitehouse Video                                        Question 1 After watchin...

   I Unit: Blanche Evan Theme:  Enigma Project / An Interview Introduction Blanche Evan believed in the use of dance as a creative way to transform the individual. There is so much to learn from this pioneer of Dance/Movement Therapy. In this interview she shares her methodology through important advice about how to lead a therapy session using dance. II  Learning Objective   Understand the learning history of Evan from her beginnings as a dancer to the moment she became a therapist Explain the focus of a dance/movement therapist and the use of functional technique Gain an awareness of the neurosis suffered by urban dwellers  Experience the design of a dance/movement therapy session using Evan's ideas   III  Mindfulness Research   Mindful Walking practice will be played the weeks of Feb 26 and March 25   Check file on email. Mindful Walking You will engage in a mindful walking practice. Like focused attention practices, you will...

  I  Unit: Blanche Evan Theme: Praxis Introduction Praxis is the process by which a theory, lesson, or skill is enacted, embodied, or realized. "Praxis" may also refer to the act of engaging, applying, exercising, realizing, or practicing ideas. This class is specifically about applying Evan's Physical Warm Up, Alignment, Functional Technique, Improvisation/Enactment, Projective Technique, Sensitization to and Potential Body Action, and In Depth and/or Complex Improvisation .   II Learning Objectives  Understand the meaning of the word praxis Explain concepts such as Physical Warm Up, Alignment, Functional Technique, Improvisation/Enactment, Projective Technique, Sensitization to and Potential Body Action, and In Depth and/or Complex Improvisation . Gain an awareness of Evan's multiple techniques Experience the application of Evan's techniques III Main Lesson    1   TEXTBOOK: Dance Movement Therapy: A Healing Art by Fran J. Levy     EV...

   I   Unit: Blanche Evan Theme: Functional Technique  Introduction   Functional techniques refer to a movement-education approach developed by Blanche Evan to focus on body mechanics. It includes a series of systematic exercise progressions and movement sequences to increase strength, flexibility, and resiliency.  II Learning Objectives   Understand why functional technique is functional  Explain why ethnic dance can be used with clients Gain an awareness of the meaning of insight-creative improvisation Experience body/movement, homework and mind-body centering,  III Check In Create Presentation Groups    IV Main Lesson   1 Healing Through Dance (7:50-12:52) Anne Krantz, a UCSF Clinical Psychologist and Dance Therapist    2   Functional Technique   In the Evan method, rehabilitating the body is intrinsic to the restoration of psycho-physical health. Through this work the client is helped to release...