Movement therapy, also known as dance therapy, is a unique therapeutic approach that uses movement, art, music and drama instead of traditional talk therapy. It can help address a variety of mental and physical issues for both individuals and groups. The therapist works with clients to help them express themselves through experimental movement. Over time, clients can gain self-awareness and learn to change behaviors by modifying their movements. Original Movement Therapy was developed by Devika Sekhar based on her training in dance movement psychotherapy in London. She has used it successfully to help people dealing with issues like learning disabilities, addictions, anger and more.

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Movement therapy
Step
by StepMovement therapist and founder of
Original Movement Therapy Devika
Sekar explains the intricacies of the
unique therapy that addresses a variety
of mental and physical problems music,
drama and movement
Devika Sekhar
footlooseMovement therapist and founder of Original Movement Therapy
Devika Sekhar explains the intricacies of the unique therapy that
addresses a variety of mental and physical problems through
music, drama and movement
D
ance therapy, otherwise known
as movement therapy, is a unique
approach to therapy, which, unlike
‘talking therapies’, is worked
through movement, art and sound.
It is not a dance class, and no prior knowledge of
dance is necessary. The therapist will be working
alongside you to help you to be able to express
yourself. Together you will be looking, taking
chances and experimenting together.
There is something for everyone in movement
therapy. It is suitable for both adults and children,
both individually and in groups. Some issues that
can be worked on through movement therapy
include behavioural issues; anti-social behaviour
in children and adults; autism; emotional issues;
relationship problems; anger; and life crisis
management, among others. Every individual’s
objective for choosing this therapy may differ.
Some might use it for self-exploration, while
others might feel it could help them communicate
better with others, be it even their children. It is
especially beneficial for families that have children
with special needs or those going through some
form of emotional ordeal. For the child who could
be at the risk of being labelled a ‘problem child’ at
school, this therapeutic help is a chance to break
that cycle of negative behaviour and replace it with
more positive alternatives.
The way we walk, sit and move our hands
and arms, and our gestures become a habit and
we give out messages that may contradict what we
communicate verbally. For instance, a man may
walk with slouched shoulders, his tummy out and
chin stuck out and lowered, in a manner that may
indicate ‘depression’ or ‘no self-esteem’. And he
may not even know he’s giving out that signal.
Once he’s made aware of this through movement,
he and the therapist can work towards getting to the
root cause of the problem to bring about a change.
Over time, the changes become internalised and
the person undergoes a transformation. By slight
modifications in movement, one can actually learn
to change certain behavioural patterns.
Movement is truly a part of our everyday lives
and is present in everything we do and say. It
might be in the flailing gestures with our hands or
the shaking of our legs or even the batting of an
eyelid; every movement brings with it a story of its
own. Original Movement Therapy (OMT) comes
from the thought that all true movement comes
from within. The movement sessions are not
about the ‘formal’ meaning of dance at all. They
are, in fact, inclusive of all elements of sound, art,
music, drama and movement.
The mind and body are interconnected, and
what reflects in our bodies is sometimes deep
rooted in the subconscious. That’s one of the
reasons why this work fascinated me and brought
me to do what I do – study and understand
movement. Movement therapy over time, if done
as part of a routine, allows you to discover yourself,
it allows you to slowly unwrap those layers to
recognise why it is that we do what we do when
we do it. This newfound sense of awareness can
help us in situations and spaces in our lives and
give us the capacity to deal, work through and, in
time, understand.
Original Movement Therapy was born out
of Devika’s training in movement therapy in
London. With a background in psychology and
her training in dance movement psychotherapy,
she has used movement therapy to help people
deal with problems as diverse as learning
disabilities or addictions. She was part of the
halfway house rehabilitation programme within
a forensics unit in London, where she held
weekly sessions in movement therapy to target
and work on issues relating to anger, violence
and frustration for the group. She also worked
with adults and children who had severe
learning difficulties, emotional behavioural
difficulties, special needs and mental health
disorders including autism and schizophrenia.
On coming back to India, she has conducted
workshops in Bengaluru, Pune, Rajasthan and
Delhi, among other destinations. See more about
her work on www.originalmovementtherapy.com
and her Facebook page.