When Therapy is a Dance
Each body is the bearer of many stories: the stories of our emotions, the stories of our current and past relationships, the wisdom and secrets of our ancestors, the myths of our culture.
These stories lie silent in our bones, muscle and skin, ignored or unintelligible to our minds,
yet they demand to be heard and understood.
Kokoro Danse is the stage where these stories gain a voice through dance.
The voice of the body that reveals our sufferings and fears, and brings forward our aspirations and dreams.
The voice of the movements that allow us to reconnect with others and ourselves,
bringing about new meanings to our experiences, new possible stories.
Dancing provides healing, brings balance, uplifts us and creates beauty.
No matter your dance experience, everybody is welcome!
Join Kokoro Danse workshops and classes.
Dance Movement Therapy
Dance Movement Therapy
Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) is the therapeutic use of movement and dance.
It takes inspiration from traditional societies where dance - a rhythmic relationship of sound and motion, combined with a collective expression of feelings - was an essential means in the healing practices.
It makes use of the creative process inherent to dance and movement to promote cognitive, emotional, physical and social integration of the individuals and the community.
Dance Movement Therapy has a positive impact on the quality of life, depression, anxiety, well-being, mood, affection, neurodegenerative diseases and body image.
Autogenic training is a technique to train people to access their own physical relaxation process and use it to relieve physical and emotional stress.
It encourages the natural relaxation response in the body by slowing breathing, lowering blood pressure, and, ultimately, producing a feeling of increased well-being.
The positive effects of this technique are:
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Self-induction of calm and stress relief
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Self-regulation of otherwise involuntary bodily functions (e.g. blood circulation)
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Improved performance (e.g. memory, concentration, attention)
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Decreased perception of pain
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Self-determination
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Introspection and self-control
Autogenic Training
About me
Dance Movement Therapist | Psychologist | Dancer
My name is Cristina Martines and I'm a dance movement therapist, psychologist and dancer.
For the past twenty years, through my academic studies and dance research, I deepened my understanding and experienced first-hand the therapeutic power of dance.
Since 2015, with Kokoro Danse, I decided to pursue the use of dance as an instrument to generate well-being, on a psychological, physical and social level.
Practical info
Booking is necessary. Reserve your spot at least one day before the class by sending an email to
No previous dance experience is required to attend a dance movement therapy class.
It's important to wear comfortable clothes; bared feet or socks are preferred to feel the contact to the ground.
Payment method
Payments for classes/workshops can be transferred to "Cristina Martines"
Account number - NL05 INGB 0659 6267 99 stating your name.
Contact
Cristina Martines - Psychologist, Dancer and Dance Movement Therapist
Amsterdam
