Dance Is a Valuable Tool

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Dance is a valuable tool in social care contexts Dance is a valuable tool in social care contexts: this issue will be explored through-out this essay. Three dance theoreticians that really inspire me are Rudolf Laban, Steve Paxton and Dr. Sharon Phelan. Dance has so many positive components to offer. Dance is creative, energetic, fun and therapeutic. Dance can create a bond between the dance teacher and his/her students. Dance can give us a sense of self importance, performing in front of others. Dance gives us the opportunity to express how we feel through movement. Dance gives us the chance to say something with our body; it’s easier than verbally saying it. Dance promotes inclusion and integration in groups. Social issues can be explored by using dance “class distinction, nationalism, gender inequity and colonialism” (Phelan: 2010). In a social care setting clients are encouraged to participate in a group as a result they can work as part of a team. The main objective of dance in my view is to promote fun and togetherness. We can go at our own rhythm to music or even in silence. Dance can be very therapeutic for clients who are disadvantaged in any way. For example individuals who have sight loss, Down syndrome etc. Everyone can dance. Encouragement is extremely important. Dance can be used therapeutically when working with clients in a social care setting. Steve Paxton is an amazing advocate for individuals, who have sight loss. Paxton worked with the group Freelance Dance. Paxton is known for his early works such as “Proxy 1961, Physical Things and Satisfying Lover”. He invented Contact Improvisation in the 1980s. According to Paxton, Contact Improvisation is an activity related to familiar duet forms such as the ‘jitterbug’, encompassing the range of movement from stillness to highly athletic. Contact improvisation is a type of dance that was designed for

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