【INNER】Shape

This week's dance and movement in counselling activity has left a deep impact on me, as I engaged in activities such as mirroring my partner or envisioning myself as a bird or growing seed, all connected to nature. These experiences were therapeutic for me, leading me to a deeper immersion. The incorporation of fitting music and scripts during the activities served as a powerful guide, preventing me from being influenced by negative emotions and directing my movements within the imaginary space. Immersed in the roles of my fantasies, the swinging and stretching of my limbs intensified my connection to being a "mirror," a "little bird," and a "seed turning into a tree." I distinctly recall an emotional moment when imagining myself as a bird or a tree; when the script described the bird soaring to the highest point, my silhouette (bird) was against a very round and large sunset, and I saw nothing but freedom in me. Additionally, the script addressing my growth from a seed into a strong tree evoked feelings of timidity and unworthiness, prompting me to seek support from a wall to reinforce the symbolism of my T-shaped posture as a strong tree.

I find using "dance and movement" as a manner of expression in creative counselling to be a creative approach, especially for children or people who are dancers or dance enthusiasts. This method allows them to quickly access their inner states and may even help them discover blind spots within themselves. At the moment, I may not be able to see the healing effects of "dance and movement," but it is a creative channel for people to "self-release" and "self-expression." Besides imagining oneself as a metaphorical or symbolic entity, other physical movements like making sounds through patting own body (knees, arms, tummy, thighs, etc.), combined with music and imagination, can be another way of expressing oneself.