Over the last few years dance movement therapy has gained increased
recognition among the health professions as an effective medium for
improving mental health. The inclusion of the expressive body in
treatment for mental health has been supported by research and practice
in both psychotherapy and affective neuroscience. However, the inclusion
of the expressive body in the mental health of dancers has received
little attention up to now. More usually in dance, the body is viewed as
a tool for the expression of the dance of another, manipulated and
controlled for external scrutiny. This book argues that it is important
to make space for the dancer's body as container and expresser of
personal emotion not only for the dancer's mental health, but also for
the development of performance presence and creativity. It will
therefore be particularly useful for dance educators and students,
choreographers and dancers as well as for health professionals concerned
with the mental wellbeing of dancers.