What is psychology applied to dance for?

It has been a long time since the conception of psychology as a way to help patients with mental disorders was overcome; Today, psychologists work in all areas of the human experience, and many of them are outside the realm of mental health (although they are indirectly related to it).

That is why, beyond psychotherapy, psychologists offer other types of services for people who, although they do not have to going through bad times, they need support to promote their projects and achieve their most important goals personally and/or professional. An example of this is the way in which psychology applied to dance works, an interesting area of ​​intervention in which professional dancers (or people who aspire to be) are helped. Let's see how it works.

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The main benefits of psychology applied to dance

These are small samples of why learning to manage psychological skills will help these professionals to optimize their performance, satisfaction and well-being.

1. Boost self-motivation skills

Knowing how to self-motivate is key to maintaining an adequate training routine and not giving up at the first signs that progress is not as expected. This includes processes based on introspection, and others that have to do with modifying our environment to motivate ourselves through it.

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2. Improves the ability to learn from mistakes

Developing professionally in dance is impossible if you are not willing to maintain a humble attitude; you have to know how to accept that mistakes are mistakes, and learn from them. So, from psychology it helps to have a complete vision of what is done, both the good and the bad, and accept this self-criticism without being too emotionally drained.

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3. Teaches how to use activation techniques

Knowing how to modulate nerve activation is key in dance; there are moments of calm and slow movements, other moments of frenzy and apparent chaos, etc. For this reason, in psychology, people are instructed in the use of relaxation and activation techniques that have to do with breathing control, muscle exercises, etc.

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4. Strengthens the ability to manage stress

People who want to dedicate themselves professionally to dance they frequently face tests such as exams or auditions, but that does not mean that in all cases they "get used" to them and are able to cope with them well. Many times they are not aware of how to manage this challenge, of how to deal with a situation in which they put part of their future at risk.

In fact, sometimes there is a paradoxical effect: the more these people progress in their professional career, the more dizzy they feel possibility of failing an exam, as they look back and focus on everything they have had to sacrifice to get to this point there; therefore, it seems as if over time they are more vulnerable to poor stress management taking their toll.

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4. Offers a care management training program

Knowing how to pay attention to key body parts is necessary to execute the choreography well, but this can be too difficult. if a predisposition to be distracted is shown. For this reason, psychologists help manage the attentional focus.

5. Improves the identification and neutralization of maladaptive thoughts

Knowing how to identify the thoughts that lead to self-sabotage is essential in order not to get discouraged or, worse Still, attributing our successes to external factors (while poor results are attributed to one same). It is important to quickly detect these problematic ideas and beliefs so that they do not stop us or even lead us not to try to improve.

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6. Helps develop emotional expression skills

Dancers and dancers are exhibited in concerts and works where the ability to express emotions and feelings through their movements is key. And it is that what they have worked on during the rehearsals is not simply a technical matter: there is also an artistic element involved, a desire to transmit something that goes beyond the literal.

And it is for this reason that they need to be able to develop Emotional Intelligence skills related to the expression of emotions on stage; It is important to understand the nuances of each feeling, to know how to differentiate them from each other, to encourage them in oneself at the key moment but without overdoing it or losing control, etc.

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Are you looking for psychological assistance services?

If you are looking for psychotherapy or coaching services, get in touch with us.

In UPAD Psychology and Coaching We have been working for many years with professional athletes, artists, entrepreneurs and all kinds of profiles in which training, stress management and discipline are key. We offer our services in person and online by video call.