DANCE THERAPY
The Fourth visit of the ERASMUS+ project “Special education students overcome obstacles with art therapy” took place in Italy in the town of Fraskati, a town of unbelievable beauty and rich history. The meeting between the Project partners was organized and hosted by the Maffeo Pantaleoni institute; the institute is responsible for turning pupils in to specialists of various fields: chefs, waiters, hotel staff, social workers, graphic designers, advertising agents, etc. There are over 700 pupils studying at the institute, 120 of which have special needs. Italy does not have separate schools for pupils with special needs; therefore, we were able to experience the inclusive education, therapeutic and other education methods, as well as the harmony of the old and contemporary school functions. The educational facility does not limit their selves solely to dance therapy. We were left fascinated by the work of the propagators of the photography therapy, the equipment in use, works created by the pupils that adorn the walls of the educational facility and personal photo albums.
Dance therapy used within the institute that was formerly a church is the perfect tool to use the acoustic characteristics of the building that strengthens the feel of the music vibrations for pupils with various developmental disorders – especially for the ones with hearing impairment. Dancing helps you to relax and tune in to your creative side. The specialists working at the institute demonstrated and allowed us to experience the methodology used by the dance choreographer and dance therapy teacher Marija Fux from Argentina to express ourselves and at the same time to comprehend and learn to use words.
The participants of the visit were introduced to 3 different dances: Picika, Tamuriata and Tarantella. Why did the educators at the institute chose these three dances you may ask? Firstly, due to their easy to learn dance steps, continuous rhythm and expressive music that allow others to express their selves within the world of dance. Picika is a dance originating from the Apulia region. The dance is performed either solo or with a partner. The dancers employ scarves within their dance imitating the motions to shew off spiders. Tamuriata is performed alongside accompanying sounds of the tambourine helping you to feel the rhythm better. The therapy was concluded with the widely regarded Tarantella alongside accompanying sounds of castanets, guitar and tambourine.
Following the conclusion of the exercise of the psychologist of the Maffeo Pantaleoni institute where both children with special needs and their contemporaries took part, there were left no doubt that easy to perform rhythmic dances strengthen and better the emotional and psychological state of the children with special needs, broaden their ability to communicate with their contemporaries, increase their self-esteem, gives confidence in themselves and those around them, as well as brings joy. Having witnessed the interpretation of the methodology “Country of Feelings” in Lithuania, a conclusion has been drawn up that the results of the Project vastly exceeded their expectations. The ability to interpret the methods of classic therapy by having regards to the individual needs and hobbies of the pupils clearly show the growth in competencies of the Project participants.
The visit ended with another marvellous Argentinian show: Murga street dance. This dance – brought to Europe by immigrants – is considered to be a part of social art as the dance was a movement for freedom. The fight had a positive impact; therefore, the Murga movement was named a Dance revolution. At the Maffeo Pantaleoni institute, Murga allows everyone to be part of the dance: both for pupils with physical disabilities and mental disorders, as well as pupils with none. Murga – as explained by the educators – is an especially useful tool for pupils with hearing impairments and pupils suffering from Asperger’s syndrome, as the dance involves continuous and repeated dance movements and drum rhythms, as well as the ability to become part of the crowd or even hide under a mask.
Following the end of the movement therapy, the Project participants were rewarded with the visit to the following historical sites: The town of Fraskati. A town famous for their renaissance and baroque villas, fountain, St. Peter cathedral, ruins of city walls and a panoramic view of Rome from a top of the mountain. The town of Grottaferrata and their Italian Basilian monastery, the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo and the volcanic Lake Albano in the Albano hills of Lazio. And not to forget, the architectural and historical masterpieces of the eternal city of Rome.
TURKEY
Dance therapy, also known as dance/movement therapy or DMT, is a therapy that uses, well, dance. Besides getting people off their feet and helping people be more physical, which can help mental health problems, dance therapy is used for mental health problems. The goal is to help reduce stress, improve cognition, and make yourself physically more active.
Dance therapy is popular because it can help treat quite a few problems. The belief is that dance therapy can help treat your emotion with motion. Dance is said to help you with social, physical, cognitive, and any other problems you have in your life. Let's look at a few of them.
- Dance therapy is said to help people with autism.
- Exercise can help with your anxiety and depression. Besides the feel-good chemicals released in your brain, it provides a good distraction.
- Self-esteem issues. Those who have problems with their confidence may be able to benefit from dancing.
- Being able to get into a hobby can help people cope with their trauma.
- İletişim problemleri. İster garip olun, ister meşru bir konuşma probleminiz olsun,
- Communication problems. Whether you're awkward or have a legitimate speaking problem, dance therapy can help.
- If one has anger issues, dance therapy can help them get their energy out.
- Dance therapy is good to build up one's social circle as well. You can dance with other like-minded people.
