Getting jiggy with Dance Therapy NZ

Many people view dance as a powerful form of therapy for tangata whaikaha. Dance can help improve balance, strength, muscle coordination and the sense of touch. It can also increase the awareness of where the body is in space. For children with sensory disorders, dance can help them process the sensory experiences they have on a daily basis.

Since 2010, Dance Therapy NZ has been encouraging people with disabilities to move and groove. They also work with at-risk tamariki from low income backgrounds and people struggling with trauma. Their team consists of therapists trained in Dance Movement Therapy and/or Clinical Arts Therapy, professional dancers and dance education experts specialising in disability and dance.

At the Tūhono, our teams asked questions about the types of disabilities and age range DTNZ can support and their referral process. It was great to hear about alternative services that can help people relax, rehabilitate, and just have fun.

Thank you, Dance Therapy NZ, for sharing your stories about engaging disabled people through the joy of dance, and also, for getting our people to move! 

ENDS

Published 13 November 2020