Dance/Movement Therapist Gail Ann Bradshaw Gets The Birches Moving

Our bodies are meant to move, stretch, and be expressive. Even gentle movement improves circulation, increases energy, and contributes to our overall well-being. Because of these and many other benefits, activities that encourage healthy movement are an important component of a balanced lifestyle.

Dance/Movement Therapy is based around the notion that movement is good for our physical, mental, and spiritual health. The American Dance Therapy Association describes Dance/Movement Therapy as “the psychotherapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration of the individual.” Dance/Movement Therapy sessions don’t always consist of dancing in the typical sense, but often combine a variety of therapeutic movements that promote body and breath awareness, social interaction, and enhanced self-esteem.

Gail Ann Bradshaw has brought her expertise in Dance/Movement Therapy to The Birches Assisted Living, encouraging Birches residents to move to the music, so to speak. Bradshaw, who is a Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, began volunteering at The Birches two years ago as a Catholic Communion Service facilitator. Once Bradshaw’s background in Dance/Movement Therapy came to light, she was asked to share her knowledge and talent with The Birches community.

Bradshaw often begins her sessions by asking participants to choose their preferred style of music and then proceeds into a full-body warm-up where she guides them through a body awareness exercise. “Stimulating the brain and waking up the body is an important goal,” said Bradshaw.  “Breath awareness and gentle stretches that open the body are encouraged.”

Bradshaw also strongly encourages social interaction in her Dance/Movement Therapy sessions. She does so by inviting participants to engage in eye contact with one another, reach toward one another, and move to a shared group rhythm. Once the group is warmed up, Bradshaw prefers to let the participants’ moods dictate the day’s agenda. This means that every session is a little bit different and is based around the group’s needs on that particular day.

 “Each group has a life of its own depending on what needs to be moved or expressed on a given day,” said Bradshaw. “For example, we might playfully connect with others and soothe ourselves with flowing scarves or begin to stomp with our feet and push and pull with a thick elastic band if a need to experience our personal strength or release some angry feelings becomes evident.” 

At the end of each session, Bradshaw leads the group in a cool-down exercise and then invites participants to share any feelings that arose as a result of the movement process. This practice corresponds with Bradshaw’s belief that movement opens people up not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally as well.  “I strongly believe in the wisdom of the body and the power of movement to help connect one’s mind, body and spirit,” said Bradshaw.

Bradshaw is not alone in her recognition of the benefits of Dance/Movement Therapy. Research shows that Dance/Movement Therapy can improve the physical and cognitive functioning of people with a variety of disorders, including those recovering from stroke, those with schizophrenia, and those with anxiety and depression.

Another condition that can be particularly impacted by Dance/Movement Therapy is dementia. Various studies performed over the last two decades indicate that Dance/Movement Therapy can improve mobility, circulation, confusion, memory loss, depression, and language abilities of people with dementia. In addition to these physical and cognitive benefits, Dance/Movement Therapy also has many psychosocial benefits for people with dementia—and these are the benefits that Bradshaw is most enthusiastic about.

“It is the psychosocial aspect that frequently becomes the top priority, especially when working with an illness as complicated as dementia,” said Bradshaw.  “Psychosocial support means care which enhances psychological well-being, confidence, and social functioning.  Too often we see individuals become isolated due to the effects of the dementia.”

In many ways, Dance/Movement Therapy is exactly what someone with dementia needs, says Bradshaw. Often times those with dementia are less communicative verbally, but also less self-conscious and more willing to play physically in the form of dance. And this playful interaction can have a very healing effect on them.

“If movement is offered to people with dementia with sensitivity and respect for their personal choices, the “dance of connection” that is created between group members and the Dance/Movement Therapist can be a very emotionally healing and socially interactive experience,” said Bradshaw.

Bradshaw’s unique talents have been well-received at The Birches. Her monthly visits have become a much-anticipated activity for residents who enjoy the opportunity to express themselves in new and creative ways, and she is more than happy to share the wonderful and unique benefits of Dance/Movement Therapy with each Birches resident.

“Dance/Movement Therapy has the ability to connect an individual to the world around them in ways that traditional forms of therapy cannot. Through the use of movement, music, rhythm, vocalization, props, and improvisation individuals begin to reconnect with themselves and others in ways previously unimaginable,” said Bradshaw.