Circle Dance as an embodied healing experience: meaning, relation and the sustainability of life

This study examines Circle Dance as an embodied healing practice within the Chacian tradition of Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP). Using a literature-based qualitative synthesis, it analyses experiential accounts that identify circular formation and collective rhythm as core conditions and conceptualise healing as a transformation of lived experience rather than a clinical outcome. The findings show that healing emerges through bodily sensibility, co-regulation and relational attunement, reorganising meaning, relationships and shared temporality. This study contributes a conceptual framework that reframes healing as a relational and embodied process, extending DMP discourse beyond symptom-centred models.

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Publication Details

Journal
Body Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy
Published
2026-06-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/17432979.2026.2689941
Primary Topic
Diversity and Impact of Dance
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Circle Dance as an embodied healing experience: meaning, relation and the sustainability of life

Alam Han, Mi-Suk Kim, Seulki Kim, Hyesook Ha et al.
Body Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy
Diversity and Impact of Dance
article

Circle Dance as an embodied healing experience: meaning, relation and the sustainability of life

Alam Han, Mi-Suk Kim, Seulki Kim, Hyesook Ha, Hyein Kang
article en

Abstract

This study examines Circle Dance as an embodied healing practice within the Chacian tradition of Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP). Using a literature-based qualitative synthesis, it analyses experiential accounts that identify circular formation and collective rhythm as core conditions and conceptualise healing as a transformation of lived experience rather than a clinical outcome. The findings show that healing emerges through bodily sensibility, co-regulation and relational attunement, reorganising meaning, relationships and shared temporality. This study contributes a conceptual framework that reframes healing as a relational and embodied process, extending DMP discourse beyond symptom-centred models.

Body Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy
Kookmin University (KR), Sungshin Women's University (KR), Moscow State Institute of Culture (RU), Institute of Art (PL)
Openalex Percentile: Top 5%
Diversity and Impact of Dance
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