Recently I was asked why I chose to study Dance/Movement Therapy. My answer was that it has proved to serve me in my experiences and I desire to bring Dance/Movement Therapy to the world and that I aspire to be more qualified in the realm of Expressive Arts Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. After some reflection of my answer I realized that the essence of my statement is a desire for connection and movement. I love to move. I have experienced the transformative power of movement in my life. My desire to be more qualified is really an effort or desire to connect with others on a deeper level and to better understand where someone is in that moment. It was this question that led me to look at the way in which I relate to others and how I can make these connections on a body level. How does the way I move effect or relate to the connections I make, particularly in my three internship areas?

Each week at common art, the other two interns and I rotate between working in the kitchen, out “on the floor” in the art space, or outside curating for the art sale. Last Wednesday while on the floor I began to work on a small piece of jewelry.  I observed that my art making was cutting me off from interacting with participants. When I’m working on a project I am focused and attentive to my own space, I’m in shape flow, which is a term for a mode of shaping the body that is “all about me” a sort of undulating meditative state. When I am sitting and observing I noticed that conversations begin to flourish and the participants interact with me more, showing me their art, asking my opinion and so forth. The general space is large and everyone is investing their time in different ways so I am aware that as many different things are happening all over the room by opening my body, positioning myself towards the group, having my head up and looking out and around the open area I am better able to connect with the participants.

I believe it was Rudolph Laban who said something to the tune of we move in order to fulfill a need. In this group my “need” is to form relationship and interact with the community therefore I choose to shape, carve or position myself as a means of relating. I am interested in how this looks for you. How does the way in which we shape or carve our bodies change or effect the way any of us relates to others?

Peace and well wishes, Jessi, Oct. 26, 2014