Movement as the Language of the Soul

The body is the most honest storyteller of our existence and our deepest library. Beyond words, movement has always endured as the primary connection humans establish with the world and the most fundamental form of expression. Today, the Dance and Movement Approach blends this ancient heritage with modern science, offering a professional path that honors the nervous system and deepens bodily awareness.

A Journey Beyond Time: Historical Foundations

The impact of dance on bodily and spiritual integrity is as old as human history. The power of dance to unite communities in ancient rituals took on an academic structure in the mid-20th century. In the 1940s, Marian Chace took the pioneering steps of this field by focusing on movement's capacity to make the individual’s internal world visible.

Another revolutionary figure in this field, Rudolf Laban, introduced a universal system called Laban Movement Analysis (LMA), which allows for the observation of movement’s quality, speed, and use of space. Established in 1966, the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) has become one of the most established authorities in the world, guiding the growth of these studies on an academic and professional ground.

The Mayer-Ostrow approach, one of the most deep-rooted sources nourishing Yosomind’s methodological infrastructure, stands among the cornerstones of this historical development. Handling the psychological layers of movement and the depth of bodily expression within a systematic structure, this approach examines the dynamic relationship established with the external world by initiating the individual's movement potential from an internal source. The methodology offered by Mayer-Ostrow demonstrates with academic rigor that movement is a process of mental and spiritual integration.

Movement in the Light of Science: Academic Findings

Modern research supports the effects of movement-based approaches on quality of life with strong data:

• Nervous System and Regulation: Payne (2006) emphasizes that body movements go beyond the musculoskeletal system, creating a regulatory effect on the nervous system and emotional processes.

• Quality of Life and Well-being: A comprehensive meta-analysis conducted by Koch et al. (2014) scientifically demonstrates that dance and movement-oriented studies increase bodily self-confidence and support overall well-being.

• Stress Management: Bräuninger (2012) reports that individuals participating in regular movement practices experience decreased stress levels and an expansion in the capacity of the nervous system.

A Holistic Approach: Core Principles

Dance and movement-oriented studies are a path of deepening built upon specific principles:

1. Mind-Body Unity: There is an uninterrupted and mutual interaction between emotions, thoughts, and movements. As the body moves, the mind expands; as the mind settles, movement gains fluidity.

2. Non-Verbal Communication: The language of the body begins where words find their limits. Movement is a bridge that makes internal processes visible and nourishes creativity.

3. Rhythm and Resonance: In individual or group work, rhythm is a fundamental anchor that regulates the nervous system and creates a safe sense of belonging.

4. Internal Awareness: Compassionate observation of bodily sensations helps the individual recognize their own internal compass.

Global Areas of Application

Today, alongside the work led by the ADTA in America, academic programs in Europe particularly in Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK have elevated this field to a professional level of expertise. These disciplines serve the state of being "complete and whole through movement" across a wide spectrum, from education and arts to personal development and social transformation projects.

The Yosomind Synthesis of Dance and Movement

The movement practices we offer within Yosomind are a unique synthesis shaped by the vision of our founder Elif Gökçe and the academic depth of our instructor Fatma Nur Bilgin.

Guided by the rhythm and fluidity of dance in her live classes, Elif Gökçe presents this ancient form of expression by harmonizing it with nervous system-centered approaches. Fatma Nur Bilgin, who has elevated her expertise in the Dance and Movement Approach to an academic level through her Master’s and Doctoral studies, integrates established methods like Mayer-Ostrow and scientific data into the process with methodological precision. The combined experience of both instructors builds a safe space at Yosomind where knowledge is transmitted with compassion and professionalism.

You are here to meet the rhythm of your body, compassionately expand the capacity of your nervous system, and experience the transformative power of movement. Discovering your own unique dance is the most beautiful way to realign with the flow of life.

Every journey begins with a single step.

References:

• American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA).

• Koch, S. C., Kunz, T., Lykou, S., & Cruz, R. (2014). Effects of dance movement interventions on health-related psychological outcomes: A meta-analysis. The Arts in Psychotherapy.

• Bräuninger, I. (2012). Dance movement studies: A review. The Arts in Psychotherapy.

• Payne, H. (2006). Dance Movement Therapy: Theory and Practice. Routledge.