In my practice, I often suggest that clients take up dancing. In addition to just being fun, dances such as tango or salsa can help you heal and grow. And, if you are in psychotherapy, dancing can amplify the benefits of therapy. When combined with psychological counseling, tango and other forms of dancing and exercise can help you recover and stay healthy.
All forms of dancing can enhance your intellectual, emotional, and motor functions. While dancing, and after dancing, you just feel good. Dancing can transport you to a different place while providing you with feelings of competence, balance, and fitness. The music and the art of dancing enhance your overall sense of well-being.
How tango and other types of dancing can provide therapeutic benefit
The physical fitness side of all dancing styles is beneficial. Dancing enhances your self-awareness as it can provide relief for a range of emotional and physical challenges. Dancing tango and salsa can have especially powerful therapeutic properties, helping heal emotional issues simmering below the conscious layer. In tango and salsa, addressing the physical layers can help heal the mind and emotions. Tango dancing can provide a path to intimacy, social connections, and much more.
Tango is all about touch. The tango embrace itself can be therapeutic. In tango, we touch and are touched. Touch can release chemicals that profoundly change us. Helen Fisher, the prominent biological anthropologist, has demonstrated that caressing and holding hands increases levels of oxytocin and described how proximity increases serotonin as well.
Dance/movement therapy (DMT) is a recognized form of psychotherapy that uses movement and dance for psychotherapeutic benefits. You don’t have to go to a dance therapist, though, to start getting benefits. Start dancing the tango! (Read more about how one psychologist embraced tango for herself.)
Start dancing and exercising and reach out for help
Dr. Franco will work help you develop practical skills and techniques to help you make meaningful changes in your life. Dancing tango, salsa, exercise, and other types of dancing can be part of the solution. You can bring a new richness to your life. To make an appointment, call now, or just fill out the form and click Send.
