HYDERABAD: Under a cloud-laden sky on the terrace of a highrise in Jubilee Hills, a few men and women move, apparently without any pattern, to music sans any words. Using their hands and hips, they let down their guards, and with nervous giggles, become children again.
The movement releases the tension in their muscles, the wind in their hair makes them feel reckless. No, this was not some pagan ritual, but a dance therapy session held by Dutch choreographer Ireen Krekelberg. The event, organised by Tangy Sessions, saw people let their hair down, trust each other and speak about their ideas.
Lithe and nimble, Ireen guides the group, teasing each one to join her in her dance. Though every member moves in her/his own way, the group resembles a pattern, as they follow Ireen in sending personal messages to the universe.“They do not have to copy my moves. It’s not about looking nice. It’s about working together and expressing through our bodies. It helps people work on their self-esteem and make them more confident. I prefer to play instrumental music so that the lyrics do not influence the dancer,” says Ireen.
What is dance therapy?
According to the website psychologytoday.com, dance/movement therapy (DMT) is the psychotherapeutic use of movement and dance to support intellectual, emotional, and motor functions of the body. As a form of expressive therapy, DMT looks at the correlation between movement and emotion. Endomorphins released during movement help a person to feel more energised and sleep better. As Ireen sums it up: “When you cannot say it through words, you say it through dance.”
Early days and working with Alzheimer’s patients
“I am Dutch, but have lived in France for 30 years where I stay now with my husband and three children. I started dancing at the age of four years and became a professional choreographer. I then completed a course in dance therapy so that I could use my skills to help people. I have worked with People with Disabilities and those who have Alzheimer’s disease. I have also worked in palliative care,” shares Ireen.
Describing the way she tries to build a rapport with Alzheimer’s patients, she says: “I try to find some good memories. I sing with them. I have to be patient and persuasive. Since their short-term memory is gone, I try to talk to them about things and help them remember. I build eye contact and ease them out. After weeks of persuasion, they do finally let go of their guards and join me to move.”
Recalling her work with children, Ireen, who is trained in modern and jazz dance, says: “One of my most difficult and rewarding experiences was with a nine-year-old autistic boy. It was not easy to approach him and it took the longest time. I could touch him only indirectly using paper. But one day, we ended up dancing together.”
Stating that there is not much awareness about dance therapy in India, the therapist says: “The scene in India now is similar to what it was like in France 10 years ago. I have held just one workshop in India, but people are slowly realising its benefits.”
The session
It began with the participants sitting in a circle and then Ireen approaching them. To the beats of some exotic tunes, she greeted each participant with movement and invited her/him to join her.
There were no binding rules, however. A few followed Irene, a few preferred to watch, but at the end, everyone was moving. Ireen used props like colourful dupattas and created a fascinating spectacle with swaying bodies and fluttering scarves. The participants moved as if they were in a trance.
As one of them put it succinctly, “Dance class is more routine. Here the music connects, and the body speaks.”In another round, each participant had to create her/his own move and everyone had to follow. In the end, they were required to do all the movements at once. This not also helped to increase concentration power, but also helped the participants let loose their creative side. “We copy in the beginning, but then find our own movements,” said Ireen.
The next round saw them working in groups and choreographing their own pieces, and in another one, they had to find ways to move other than walking. This gave rise to hilarious scenes in which the participants hopped, skipped and ran. Ireen also made them be mirror images of each other and follow their movements.
“This exercise is good for workplaces as it makes people know each other better,” she said. While signing off leaving behind an exhilarated group of participants, Ireen said: “Dance therapy makes you strong and confident. You can come for dance therapy even if you are not suffering from any disorder or illness. When words fail to say what you want, you can show it through dance.”