Dance is movement, but movement is not necessarily dance.
Only when there is a conscious choice to shape the body
through creative movement we can speak of ‘dance’.
Corrie Hartong (1906 – 1991) was a famous Dutch dancer,
dance teacher and choreographer who started her modern dance
career with Mary Wigman in Dresden. She defined dance as:
‘rhythmical shaped movement of the body through space. It originates
from the urge or the desire to express one’s inner feelings
through physical movement.’
In modern society, dance is mostly known as a form of theatre and art.
People often think that dance is only predestined for dance lovers or
talented dancers. As such, dance is shaped in ‘a choreography’
through which the choreographer (or dancer) makes conscious use of
improvisation, exploration, dance style and composition. However,
dance is the most primary and oldest form of expression and it
distinguishes itself from other forms of expression, since everybody
has the instrument to dance, namely the body; dance is accessible for everyone.
‘Dance is the only art of which we ourselves are the stuff of which it is made.’ (Ted Shawn, 1955)
Dance lesson or dance therapy
Where there is only a dance style (or form), it would not be possible
to give expression to the inner motivations of the dancer/client/choreographer.
It would be form without a meaning. If there would be only meaning without
form, the meaning wouldn’t be seen, heard or felt for one’s surroundings.
In other words; if we wouldn’t give expression to our inner motivations,
through our body and actions then communication would not be possible.
In that sense, meaning and form are intertwined.
During a dance class, there is integration between body and mind.
The dance teacher / choreographer / dance student translates and
consciously shapes one’s inner motivations, through space into (often)
a dance style. The context within which the process of expression
occurs is then determined.
During dance therapy, one learns to authentically and in an own unique way,
shape inner motivations, which stem from a certain need. During this process,
body and mind integrate. The dance therapist helps the individual to become
aware of his/her inner motivations and impulses and to shape these in a
personal authentic expressive manner.
Dance therapeutic coaching for dancers
If you’re a dance student, professional dancer or an other kind of
performing artist and you wish to focus on aspects other than only your
technical training such as; blockages, injuries, energy, balance, focus,
body, breathing, use of space, teamwork, etc., then dance therapeutic
coaching might be suited for you. With the help of dance therapeutic methods
and specialized individual coaching, you’ll (re) discover your balance
between form and meaning, between technique and expression, between body and mind.