We don't all have the ability to communicate what we're feeling with words. There are many reasons why this could be the case - injury, cognitive impairments, trauma...just to name a few. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ However, even if you can't communicate with words, you can communicate with your body. It's often an automatic process - in a situation that feels unsafe, you may clench your jaw and your breathing may become shallow. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If you're feeling safe and comfortable, your shoulders may naturally settle down and away from your ears, and your facial muscles may appear relaxed. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If you are feeling self-conscious, you may hollow your torso, hanging your head forward or looking down at the ground, and you may avoid eye contact ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Our bodies often show the truth of what we're feeling, and is the home to each of our experiences before we are ever able to process them using words or the higher processing areas of our brain. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This is why dance/movement psychotherapy exists - to support self expression in its fullest form. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Even if you are able to communicate your feelings verbally, it's important to understand what's happening in your body and how what's happening relates to the words you choose to use to describe it. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ All of this to say - talk therapy isn't the only way to support your mental and emotional wellness. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ For more information on dance/movement psychotherapy, check out the @bghproject highlights. And if you have any questions about dance/movement psychotherapy, feel free to drop them in the comments and our founder @jennmsterling will answer them in an IG story later this week!
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