MOVE ~ FEEL ~HEAL
Dance Movement Therapy Group for English speakers
Facilitator: Eftychia Nikolopoulou, Dance Movement Psychotherapist MA & Licensed Psychologist
Free trial: Tuesday 24/09
Duration of the group: 24 September 2024 - 24 June 2025
Days & Times: Every Tuesday at 20:15-21:45
PURPOSE OF THE GROUP
The group aims to provide the framework for the somatic exploration and expansion of the personal movement vocabulary as well as the self-expression and creativity enhancement using verbal and non-verbal means such as movement, play and artmaking.
Additional objectives of the group are the increase of somatic awareness as well as the training of participants in body-oriented methods of relaxation, grounding and nervous system discharge.
Participants will be encouraged to focus on physical sensations, allowing the movement to be initiated mainly from their body cues rather than from the mind. This way, we will be reinforcing the sense of embodiment and comfort/pleasure seeking movement.
Additionally, through the group experience we will explore and enhance our connection and way of relating to others. In particular, the use of non-verbal means will act as useful self-awareness tool regarding our personal needs, desires, and strengths as well as our difficulties and vulnerable parts.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Breathing exercises
Grounding techniques
Structured movement exercises to explore different movement qualities
Free improvised movement
Movement work in pairs as well as group movement
Use of creative materials i.e. scarfs, balls, art materials
Verbal check in & check out circles to make meaning of the creative movement process
BENEFITS OF GROUP PARTICIPATION
-Increasing body awareness
-Restoring our vitality
-Strengthening the mind-body connection
-Improving the relationship to our body
-Boosting our self confidence
-Enhancing our creativity, self-expression, playfulness
- Nervous system discharge
-Enhancing the feeling of relaxation
-Improving our connection to others
-Enhancing our well-being and emotional resilience
GOOD TO KNOW
-The facilitator’s main concern is to provide a safe, non-judgmental, and inclusive space where participants can freely engage in their creative movement process.
-All bodies and all levels of movement are welcome. For this reason, no prior experience in movement, dance or any other therapeutic experience is required. However, the participation in the group requires curiosity and wish for personal exploration and growth.
-The group will remain open to new participants until January. It is suggested that participants commit to regular attendance as this would be beneficial for their therapeutic experience and for the overall group cohesion.
WHAT IS DANCE MOVEMENT THERAPY
Dance movement therapy is a form of psychotherapy that belongs to the arts therapies. It is a relational process which integrates the use of body movement, dance as well as verbal interaction to facilitate the emotional, cognitive, social growth of the individual.
Sessions can be short or long-term and can take place in person or online. Sessions can be done individually or in a group context. There is no need for prior dance experience to engage in dance movement therapy.
BASIC PRINCIPLES:
The body and the way we relate to it through its movement is inextricably linked to our thoughts/beliefs and emotions. The way we feel and think about ourselves is reflected on our body and on the way we manifest ourselves through its movement. Therefore, any change in the body/movement level will impact respectively the emotional and cognitive aspects of ourselves.
Movement allows us access to the unconscious parts of ourselves. As this is our first language before we even acquire speech as children. That is why, it can offer us precious information about early experiences that we lived in the first years of our life shaping who we are today. The way we connect with the significant Others in our life, what we expect from our relationships, how much we can be in touch with our authentic selves when we relate to others, are all directly linked to life experiences in our childhood.
The movement beyond functional and communicative has also a symbolic aspect. Through movement and creativity, the individual identifies, acknowledges, and expresses aspects of themselves that are difficult to be put into words otherwise.
BIO
EFTYCHIA NIKOLOPOULOU
Dance Movement Psychotherapist, Psychologist
Eftychia is a licenced psychologist and dance movement psychotherapist coming from Greece. She has over a decade of experience facilitating therapeutic groups and individual psychotherapy sessions for both adults and children in various community and psychiatric settings of the UK and Greece.
She is currently based in Athens working psychotherapeutically with people of all ages and walks of life as well as with a diverse range of emotional and mental needs.
In her work, she encourages playfulness and creative exploration inviting this way the authentic parts of the self to become alive, to be seen and heard while respecting the natural pace of the therapeutic process. She is a strong believer that working with the body and movement, we can gain access to deeper parts of ourselves that might be otherwise difficult to reach verbally. Thus, the body acts as a powerful tool of self-awareness and personal growth.
INFO:
Location: Inner Hive Yoga & Holistic Open Studios, Ymittοu 119, Pagrati, Athens 116 33 (15’ walk from Evangelismos Metro Station)
https://www.innerhive.gr/
Fees: 80 euros/month – paid beginning of each month. Trial session costs 20 euros.
Refund: There is no refund in case of missed sessions from the part of the participant. If the facilitator needs to cancel a session, there will be a replacement of the session on a different day.
Registrations:
Participants need to fill out a registration form before joining the group.
Via mail:
ZWZ0ICEgbmlrb2xvcG91bG91IHwgZ21haWwgISBjb20=
Or via Tel. +306947553308
The group will be held in English.
Also check out other Workshops in Athens, Health & Wellness events in Athens, Arts events in Athens.
