'Dance as a Mirror—Movement, Mental Health, and Self-Care'
In this vulnerable episode, Gui and I, joined by the radiant Paloma Alves, explore the unexpected ways dance acts as a mirror to our emotional and mental health. We discuss how movement is a profound tool for personal growth and self-care.
Dance Reveals Your Inner Life
The core revelation is that who you are as a person cannot be separated from the dancer you are. Personal issues—like perfectionism or social anxiety—are precisely the challenges that surface on the dance floor.
Paloma's Journey: Paloma shares how dance exposed her social anxiety and the habit of coping by drinking to feel available. She learned to choose self-care (rest, breathing) over forcing high energy, recognizing the demand on her nervous system.
The Power of Vulnerability: Being vulnerable in class (e.g., admitting you're nervous) is a tool for connection. We discuss how accepting the way your brain works—a lesson Alisson learned through dance—is crucial to growth.
The Hidden Mess: We share an anecdote about a friend whose rough dance style was a literal reflection of a messy, overwhelming personal life, emphasizing how connected our inner and outer lives are.
Self-Care and Boundaries
We delve into the immense pressures of the dance environment:
The "Go-Go" Trap: The constant pressure of events can lead to dissociation and burnout.
The Antidote to Anxiety: We emphasize that you have a responsibility to take care of your needs first before giving to the community. The strength to take a pause—even when expected to dance—is vital.
Highly Therapeutical: While dance is not therapy, it is highly therapeutical because it combines movement and physical connection, two core human needs.
The growth for a teacher and a dancer is recognizing that the challenge is not fixing the move, but working on the whole person.
________
Has dance revealed a hidden struggle or growth area in your personal life?
What is one self-care boundary you need to set for yourself in the dance environment?
Share your thoughts and join the conversation!