Dancing and mirror neurons turn on more empathy, development of self understanding and capacity to "intentionally attune" to others creating a shared "we space".

According to the book “BodyDreaming in the treatment of Developmental Trauma” by Marian Dunlea, mirror neurons are the part of the brain that gets turned on when we watch another and we feel inside our bodies a perception of what we imagine the other is feeling. Our bodies actually turn on those areas within our own body in a subtler way. This scientific evidence makes an argument that just by watching another dance, we can keep parts of our own bodies and minds alert and dynamic even if we move much less or not at all. There is a practice in Authentic Movement called “witnessing” that is similar to a meditation with the eyes open. You breathe, rest and observe another while being full present to them, and noticing whats happening in your body or experience. It’s a fabulous way to expand the dance for everyone. Witnesses ADD to many dimensions of the dance experience, particularly when it’s done with an intention of healing/or already healthfully aware of mirror neurons and the blessing in seeing another.

It’s important to note though, that the healthy use of mirror neurons in dance….like we do in an “onsite experience” or thru zoom, is only as effective as the healthy developmental stage was experienced. What I mean is that it’s during the early infant years thru watching our mothers (or caretaker) eyes that this part of the brain gets developed. It’s an important developmental stage that neuroscientists say is when the right hemisphere of the brain gets greatly developed. This right hemisphere is where we primarily are able to visualize, imagine, recognized faces but not names, feel spacial relationship, and we develop healthy attachment. This is when the baby smiles back at the mother or caretaker that is connecting thru their eyes. If a mother or care taker was depressed, angry, wasn’t connecting or was distracted, this important learning is missed. It’s during this time we develop the capacity to tolerate more emotions, experiences, and new behaviors. It’s at this stage we develop body centered capacity to “attune” with another and co-create in a “we” space. It increases the level of pleasurable endorphins and this creates a positive loop about co-creating with another.

It’s stated by Dunlea, that those who missed these experiences or who had less or worse experienced trauma on top of this…..see the world thru a lens of vigilance, danger or assault. The fear response of being seen or in seeing another and feeling threatened is turned on. The good news is our brains are always developing ( maybe not as fast as an infant, but definitely our brains have plasticity and that means they form based on what they experience).

So what can be done?? How do we change and shift into feeling safe again and loved? The first step is practicing mindful breathing. Shifting the Autonomic Nervous system from sympathetic ( fight or flight), parasympathetic ( freeze) to ventral, which is where we connect and relax. Our voice is clear, we can rest and digest with ease, we can regulate the body and social engaging happens easily.

The second practice to explore along with the above and “checking in “ with self ( on any given day we could be more or less activated and need more or less intention around breath and sensation of breath). Then perhaps turning the camera on but being a distance away from it, placing camera on a flower or piece of art, or off in the distance on the scenery, or something that expresses our feelings. Consider pausing and witnessing others as you practice deep breaths and keeping yourself a distance away so you see the whole group. You might also practice turning on your camera and witnessing another while maintaining eye contact and breathing while attuning to your ventral nervous system. If you lose calm, if you get distracted, if you forget to breathe, start over with leaving the visual connection with other and returning to your own practice and what you need.

These ways of staying connected with your body while being in the presence of another ….and then add in movement, dancing and not getting caught in the music only, or a thought, or a “shutting down” is really an art. It may take practice ….in fact IT WILL for many of us….but the gift is wonderful healing endorphins that make you feel amazing and the brain is building thru experience a new map that is healthy, safe and empowering each individual with new possibilities in the “we “ space.

Thanks Mirror Neurons!!!