Open Up and Dig Deep - Practical Sessions

For this portfolio, the writer chose to research methods applied in dance movement therapy and to take inspiration from those to facilitate workshops. These workshops would be aimed at students at the undergraduate level who are undertaking a degree in Dance. The purpose for this was for the participants to view dance/movement in a different manner than they were used to. The researcher wanted the workshops to motivate the participants to open up emotionally and to gain a sense of community. In the book Expressive Arts Therapies, it states that
"the therapist may choose to work on a one to one bias is to elicit "authentic" movement or in groups to encourage socialization. She (most dance/movement therapists are women) may prefer to use music to prompt movement response and stimulate emotion (as did Marian Chace), or she may prefer silence to encourage authentic expression. "(Pg 171)
The researcher decided to work in groups as the aim was for socialization (sense of community) and to work in silence for the reason of encouraging real expression and not one dictated by music.

In dance movement therapy, one of the results is catharsis or emotional release.
Activity of the body can help an individual to "let go" of a suppressed emotion which is a goal of the workshops. Many dance movement therapists agree that physical release can lead to an individual being more open and receptive to therapy, or growth, or self awareness. (Pg 174)
In dance movement therapy sessions, communication tends to occur on the subconscious level.
Movements help showcase feelings that aren't distinguished or recognized, feelings that have yet to be communicated verbally. Expressive Arts Therapies says "the movements of the body, therefore, bring to the surface the repressed emotions, the instinctual demands and the unfinished business that we have tried to bury. The symbolic acting out inherent in improvised "authentic" body movements facilitates the emergence of hidden impulses, memories and emotions." (Pg 175)
Opportunity to communicate what one feels physiologically is important and is deemed important by most dance movement therapists.  In the workshop sessions, the researcher wants to see how the participants move and respond to the activities.

Due to the researcher not being trained in the various methods that have mentioned, the researcher's aim is to not assess the participants' mental state or capacity. 

SESSION I OUTLINE

This is the outline for session 1. These are exercises that the leader will introduce to the group.

WARM UP

I am Me

All in a circle, jump and when you land say your name. The activity builds up over time so it creates a "wall of sound".

After the circle, go throughout the room saying three words starting with I AM.

EXAMPLE

STOMP    STOMP    JUMP

    I           AM     MEAT

Follow My Dance

In a circle, one person will go to the center and do a simple movement. The rest of the group will do the movement immediately after.

BODY AWARENESS

Touch and Respond

In a circle, touch a body part on the person to your left and they should respond with that part in movement. They should use that body part to initiate movement to the next person.

GROUP AWARENESS

Reed In The Wind

One person goes in the center and the group places hands on the person. The group then moves them
like a reed in the wind.

Follow My Dance II

Same as I but when the next person steps in, they add a movement to the first one and so on.

Inward Shape

Close eyes. say your name. Make a shape that expresses how you're currently feeling.
Everyone says the person's name and does the shape/movement they just did. After everyone goes, the group facilitator will tap random individuals. The group should proceed to do the person's shape who the facilitator tapped.

ENDING

Lie on the ground in a circle and just breathe/reflect. Sit up and do a movement that expresses current state + verbalize.                                                          

SESSION I

After months of doing research on the field of dance therapy, the researcher decided to hold a workshop with two dance students. The aim of the workshop was to get the participants to enjoy themselves while digging deeper within themselves emotionally. The researcher was a bit concerned about the aim being achieved as everyone that would be taking part reside together.

To help in organizing the session, the writer had questions to help prepare themselves for it. These questions are taken from the book Using the Creative Arts in Therapy. The questions are for people who are being employed to run a creative arts therapy session. As the researcher is not being employed by anyone nor are they professionally trained, the questions have been modified and adapted to the situation.

GOALS

for the participants to see movement as a way of gaining personal insight and digging deeper within themselves in the sessions.

Who am I working with?
Two undergraduate dance students.mThe ages of the students are the same. in the 20-25 age bracket.

What are my responsibilities as leader?
I am not being employed by anyone. I see myself as a leader/facilitator, not a therapist. I need to be professionally trained to be seen as a therapist.

PRE-SESSION PLANNING

When is the session scheduled? How often do I see the group and for how long each session?
The session is scheduled for April , 2014. I see the group for two sessions and each session will be an hour long.

Do the group members know where and when we meet? Yes

What space do I need to work in? Does the space I have been allocated meet these needs?
I need a dance studio to work in and the space I have been allocated does meet this need.

Will I have any assistants? Will they be volunteers or professionals?
No, I will have no assistants

PLANNING THE SESSION

How can I best achieve my goals?
I can best achieve my goals by explaining the reasons behind the exercises, what it can do and to also encourage the participants to let go and be free.

What activities will best match my strengths with the perceived needs of the group and their abilities?
Activities that allow the group to have fun and be free. Everyone that will be participating is able to move about quite freely and they all have a solid background in dance. Most of the activities planned, they will be able to do movement wise.

How much structure do I need to provide for the group so they can actively engage in these activities?
A good amount of structure is needed as the group is used to structure when it comes to dance. The structure will aid in them actively engaging in the activities.

What equipment will I need?
I will need a camera to record the session.

SESSION

Immediately prior to the session

Is all the equipment I need here? Yes.

Are all the group members here? Yes

What is the general mood of the group? Is it in keeping with my plans for the session?
The general mood is of calm complacency. It is in keeping with my plans for the session.

RUNNING THE SESSION

Did I introduce myself? Yes

Does the group know why I am here and what we will be doing together? The group knows that is a session for the portfolio and the basis is dance movement therapy. They do not know what exactly we will be doing together until I mention it to them.

How do they react to this? They seem to be a bit taken aback but not in shock.

Do I know the individuals in this group? Yes.

Am I warming up the group for the activities to come? Yes. Two of the activities planned are apart of the warm up.

How are group members responding? Who is outgoing? Who is shy?
The group members are responding well. No one is shy as we all know each other.

Am I introducing the activities in a way that people can understand? Am I working at their pace?
Yes as I verbally explain the activity and provide an example of it. I am working at their pace.

Am I providing the right amount of structure to allow the group to be creative?
Yes I am. The activities in the session do aid in the creative process.

Am I meeting the individual needs of the group? Am I aware of changes occurring in these needs throughout the session?
At times. Sometimes I seem to fail at this as I tend to participate as well. I become aware of changes and respond accordingly.

Am I simply filling the session up with ‘busy time’?
No. I am following the outline I set out for the session.

Am I enjoying myself?
Yes! Very much so .

How can I end this session on a positive but relaxing note?
By having the participants lie on the ground with their eyes closed, tell them to breathe deeply, relax and reflect on the activities that were done.

Immediately after the session 

Does everyone know when the next session will be? Yes

Does everyone have all the possessions they arrived with? Yes

Do I have everything I came with? Yes

Have I checked all the lights are off? Is the room in reasonably the same state I found it? Yes.

Session I Footage

This is the footage of Session 1.

The exercises in the Session 1 outline are shown as well as feedback from the participants.

WARM UP

WARM UP 2



TOUCH &  RESPOND



REED IN THE WIND




INWARD SHAPE



PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK & REFLECTION

SESSION I EVALUATION

How did the group respond? To me? To my material? To other members of the group? Was this as expected?

The group responded quite well to me. This could be attributed to the fact that the participants know me. The group responded well to the material also. Well in my definition means that they actually did the material and had a reaction to it. The members initially responded well with each other but certain activities made the interaction a bit withdrawn.
The reactions of everyone getting along and being open was expected but the withdrawnness was not expected.

How did I feel about the session - good, uneasy, bad? Can I pinpoint a reason for this? The room? My presentation? My material?

I felt good about the session overall. The reason for this is I expected to not achieve my goals, for people to open and dig deep within themselves. For it not to be an eye opening experience because everyone was familiar with everyone but I was pleasanty surprised. The material really helped for everyone to think about movement in a deeper way than before and certain emotional revelations were made.

Did I meet any of my goals this session? Did I identify new goals during the session?
I did meet my goals for the session, for the participants to enjoy themselves and to dig deeper emotionally. I did identify new goals - for the members of the group to be sensitive to the movements of those around them and for myself as well.

Have I made a written note of my observations and feelings about the session yet? Yes which will be shared.

PLANNING FOR THE NEXT SESSION

Am I on the right track? Do I need to change my approach? My material? My medium?
I do feel as if I am on the right track. My approach does not seem to be hindering progress so I see no need to change it. I would like to switch up the material a bit for the next session and keep the medium of dance/movement. I may introduce another medium such as music or visual arts to make things interesting.

Who are the individuals in the group who need special attention? How can I best meet these needs without disturbing other members of the group?
I don’t think any one needs special attention.

What shall I do next time? How can I link it to what we have already done so that it builds on these experiences?
I shall introduce music into the session by having exercises that incorporate music. I can link it to activities already done in silence and see what differences occur due to the addition of music. Also adding paper + markers for the participants to draw what they feel and how they see themselves after an activity for a new of expressing themselves.

Have I scheduled time for a break in between sessions?
Yes I have. The next session will be a week away.

SESSION II OUTLINE

WARM UP

I am Me

the concept of I AM ME from the first session but each individual faces a wall and says I AM ___
at the same time. When the "Wall of sound" is built , the participants then face inward or to each other while looking at them in the eye.

-take one of the statements said from I AM ME and dance it making a pathway.
-dance it while running.
-follow someone while dancing.
-dance someone else's pathways
- draw how you feel.

BODY AWARENESS

Magic Aura

with a partner, one freezes into a shape and the other must free them by not touching them and going over them slowly with their hands. if they touch, they must begin again. switch after freeing.
make complex shapes. eyes closed after the first go.

GROUP AWARENESS

  Reed in the Wind

click here for description

Follow My Dance

One person does movement, the other that follows repeats the movement and adds another.

Follow My Dance II

The group is split into threes. they must make a short phrase from the movements from the previous exercise. They then show it to the group. The group will then say what images, thoughts, feelings it brought about. The next group can take feelings displayed/movements and incorporate into theirs.

Develop the phrase by
-merging with another group
-draw the dance on paper. dance the drawing
-discover an emotional quality or expressiveness to the dance, dance its opposite.
-give the dance a voice. it has an identity

ENDING

Lie on the floor and center one's self by breathing deeply and reflecting on the session.
After 2 minutes, everyone sits up and does a shape that reflects how they feel and a word that conveys their feeling. People can choose to draw how they feel as well.

SESSION II

For this session, another participant was added. I chose to do this to see if the participants from session 1 would engage differently due to a new person being in the space.

GOALS

for the participants to see movement as a way of gaining personal insight and digging deeper within themselves in the sessions. 

the participants in session 1 to open up more in this session.

Who am I working with?
Three undergraduate dance students.The ages of the students are the same. in the 20-25 age bracket. Two of the students are from the previous session.

What are my responsibilities as leader?
I am not being employed by anyone. I see myself as a leader/facilitator, not a therapist. I need to be professionally trained to be seen as a therapist.

PRE-SESSION PLANNING

When is the session scheduled? How often do I see the group and for how long each session?
The session is scheduled for May 2014. I see the group for two sessions and each session will be an hour long.

Do the group members know where and when we meet? Yes

What space do I need to work in? Does the space I have been allocated meet these needs?
I need a dance studio to work in and the space I have been allocated does meet this need.

Will I have any assistants? Will they be volunteers or professionals?
No, I will have no assistants

PLANNING THE SESSION

How can I best achieve my goals?
I can best achieve my goals by explaining the reasons behind the exercises, what it can do and to also encourage the participants to let go and be free.

What activities will best match my strengths with the perceived needs of the group and their abilities?
Activities that allow the group to have fun and be free. Everyone that will be participating is able to move about quite freely and they all have a solid background in dance. Most of the activities planned, they will be able to do movement wise.

How much structure do I need to provide for the group so they can actively engage in these activities?
A good amount of structure is needed as the group is used to structure when it comes to dance. The structure will aid in them actively engaging in the activities.

What equipment will I need?
I will need a camera to record the session.

SESSION

Immediately prior to the session

Is all the equipment I need here? Yes.

Are all the group members here? Yes

What is the general mood of the group? Is it in keeping with my plans for the session?
The general mood seems to be a mixture of indifference and fatigue. It is not in keeping with plans for the session.

RUNNING THE SESSION

Did I introduce myself? Yes

Does the group know why I am here and what we will be doing together?
The group knows that is a session for the portfolio and the basis is dance movement therapy. 2/3 of the group have been in a session before.

How do they react to this? They seem to be ok.

Do I know the individuals in this group? Yes.

Am I warming up the group for the activities to come? Yes. Two of the activities planned are apart of the warm up.

How are group members responding? Who is outgoing? Who is shy?
The group members are responding well. No one is shy as we all know each other.

Am I introducing the activities in a way that people can understand? Am I working at their pace?
Yes as I verbally explain the activity and provide an example of it. I am working at their pace.

Am I providing the right amount of structure to allow the group to be creative?
Yes I am. The activities in the session do aid in the creative process.

Am I meeting the individual needs of the group? Am I aware of changes occurring in these needs throughout the session?
At times. Sometimes I seem to fail at this as I tend to participate as well. I become aware of changes and respond accordingly.

Am I simply filling the session up with ‘busy time’?
No. I am following the outline I set out for the session.

Am I enjoying myself?
A bit.

How can I end this session on a positive but relaxing note?
By having the participants lie on the ground with their eyes closed, tell them to breathe deeply, relax and reflect on the activities that were done and then draw how they feel.

Immediately after the session 

Does everyone have all the possessions they arrived with? Yes

Do I have everything I came with? Yes

Have I checked all the lights are off? Is the room in reasonably the same state I found it? Yes.

Session II Footage

This is footage from the second session.
The camera died so unfortunately the whole session did not get captured.
So instead, there are highlights of the exercises done.

There is also feedback from the participants.

HIGHLIGHTS

THOUGHTS & REFLECTION

SESSION II EVALUATION

How did the group respond? To me? To my material? To other members of the group? Was this as expected?

The group responded indifferently. This was not expected. They did not respond well to some of the material but they did interact well with other members of the group.

How did I feel about the session - good, uneasy, bad? Can I pinpoint a reason for this? The room? My presentation? My material?

I felt bad to be honest. I realized as the session was occurring that the participants weren't really engaged. The way the material was presented contributed to this. Most of the things I had planned did not happen due to time limits. An hour was not enough. Activities that were suppose to happen at the beginning of the session did not and that greatly affected the course.

Did I meet any of my goals this session? Did I identify new goals during the session?

I don't feel as if I did. The session felt more of tasks being done versus the participants actually digging deep. I did not identify new goals for this session.