Dance

As part of a ritual or recreative activity, dance may produce an inner calmness or an altered state of consciousness. Dance therapy is said to promote emotional and physical integration and may be used in two ways: (a) It may be used to encourage discovery of form and pattern through movement. The individual is encouraged to move with the music according to his own spontaneous inspiration, thus developing self-awareness. (b) Alternatively, the therapist may require the individual to perform a series of precisely defined movements until some degree of competence is achieved to the satisfaction of both the individual and the therapist. In both cases the individual becomes more aware of the body, learns to communicate through the body and ultimately improves his or her feeling of self worth.

This therapy has also been used as a means of encouraging individuals to take a renewed interest in their surroundings when they run the risk of sinking into a state of apathy (as in psychiatric institutions, convalescent homes and old people's homes).