Dancing Our Wounds Away: The Therapy of Rhythm

Before we dive in, hit play on your favorite song and let your body groove along with my words.

Marrakech – They say dancing is like dreaming with your feet.

But what if it’s also therapy for your soul?

Yes, dance therapy — or, as the pros call it, dance/movement therapy (DMT) — isn’t just about grooving to the beat; it’s about letting movement say what words sometimes can’t.

Let’s imagine a room full of strangers, music in the air, and someone asking you to “move like a leaf in the wind.” Awkward? Maybe. Healing? Absolutely.

Dance therapy uses the language of the body to help you unpack emotions, release tension, and connect with yourself on a deeper level.

Hollywood knows what’s up

If you think dance therapy sounds a bit niche, let me direct your attention to the silver screen.

Remember Silver Linings Playbook? Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence’s chaotic, heartfelt dance routine wasn’t just about winning a competition — it was a physical way of processing grief, mental illness, and messy lives.

Or what about Footloose? Kevin Bacon didn’t just rebel against the anti-dance laws of a small town; his epic warehouse solo was a cathartic release of every ounce of teenage frustration and angst.

(You know you’ve tried to replicate that scene alone in your living room — I know I did!)

And then there’s Billy Elliot, where young Billy’s pirouettes weren’t just about ballet — they were a form of rebellion, self-expression, and healing in a life that didn’t make room for vulnerability.

Your body knows before your brain

Dance therapy works because our bodies often hold onto emotions long after our brains have tried to brush them aside.

Ever felt tension in your shoulders after a stressful week or a knot in your stomach during an argument?

Dance therapy invites you to feel those feelings — fully — and then let them go through movement.

And it’s not just about the deep, emotional stuff.

Sometimes, dancing is simply about joy. The sheer act of moving to Beyonce in your kitchen or pulling out your best disco moves at a wedding can shift your entire mood.

It’s science: movement releases endorphins, and suddenly the day doesn’t feel quite so heavy.

Rules… I mean RHYTHM!

The beauty of dance therapy is that you don’t need to know a single step.

No pirouettes, no salsa spins, no TikTok-worthy routines.

You just move. It could be swaying side to side, stomping like you’re in a rage, or doing that awkward shimmy that feels like a private joke with yourself.

In Eat Pray Love, Julia Roberts finds herself in an ashram in India, dancing alone to Indian chants.

She’s not trying to impress anyone — she’s just being.

That’s the essence of dance therapy: moving for you, not for the audience.

Let me guide you (or your body)

You don’t need a certified therapist or a studio to reap the benefits of dance therapy.

Here’s how you can start right now:

Create a “feel good” playlist: Think songs that make you want to dance like no one’s watching (Dancing Queen, anyone?).

Move how you feel: Angry? Try stomping. Sad? Let your body droop and sway. Play around and see what feels right.

Find a class: If you’re into the idea of a group experience, look up local dance therapy sessions or even ecstatic dance events.

Revisit the movies (my favorite part): Sometimes, watching others dance their hearts out (Black Swan, anyone?) can be the nudge you need.

Final thought — or should I say ARE YOU READY?

In life, we often say, “I’ll dance when I’m happy.”