Dance As Therapy: Natalia Duong at TEDxStanford

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Using Dance and Kinesthetic Empathy for Healing and Connection

Introduction:

1. Watch the TEDx talk titled "Dance As Therapy" by Natalia Duong on the TEDxStanford channel for a deeper understanding of the context and inspiration behind this tutorial.

Understanding the Issue:

2. Learn about the history and impact of Agent Orange, an herbicide sprayed during the Vietnam War, causing long-term health effects on millions of people in Vietnam and the US.

Discovering Kinesthetic Empathy:

3. Understand the concept of kinesthetic empathy - shared movement fostering empathy and compassion between individuals, as explained by neuroscientist Vs Ramachandran in the TED talk.

Applying Kinesthetic Empathy:

4. Practice mirroring movements with a partner to experience the connection and empathy that shared movement can create.

Choreographing Life Maps:

5. Explore the idea of choreographing life maps by spatially mapping out significant life events in a 5-minute activity from birth to death.

Building Empathy through Movement:

6. Engage in a physical activity where one person leads and the other follows, emphasizing shared responsibility and leadership in actions.

Encouraging Empathy and Action:

7. Understand the transition from sympathy to empathy through physical enactment, moving beyond cognitive mapping to embodying change.

Empowering Individuals:

8. Witness the transformative power of movement as individuals, including those with disabilities, express their life journeys through physical movements and storytelling.

Overcoming Challenges:

9. Recognize the obstacles faced by individuals with disabilities in Vietnam due to stigma and lack of accessibility, and the importance of bridging the gap through shared experiences.

Creating Connections:

10. Experience the impact of shared movement and empathy in connecting with others, breaking down barriers, and fostering understanding and support within communities.

Extending Empathy Beyond:

11. Reflect on how shared movement and kinesthetic empathy can be utilized to better understand and support individuals in our communities, especially those facing challenges or differences.

Inspiring Change:

12. Consider how movement, empathy, and connection can lead to positive transformations and solutions, both personally and within communities, by actively listening, attuning, and supporting each other.

Conclusion:

13. Embrace the power of movement, empathy, and shared experiences to create common ground, resonate with others, and inspire positive change that ripples out to affect those around us.

Additional Resources:

• Explore further resources on kinesthetic empathy, dance therapy, and community engagement to deepen your understanding and practice of using movement for healing and connection.