Final Reflection

Importance of Body Language and Nonverbal Communication

Gabriella Hospedales

This course has taught me the importance of slowing down during the last four months, not to decrease productivity but to increase awareness of my body, emotions, and general well-being. At first, I found the dance movement therapy exercises to be meaningless and frequently thought they were monotonous or ineffective. But as the training went on, I realized the deeper meaning behind each exercise and how important body language and emotional awareness are to therapy as well as my future in finance.

Throughout this course over the past four months, I have truly learned to slow down. Not meaning to become lazy or not complete my goals and priorities. But rather, slow down in the sense of becoming more attuned to my body and feelings. Similarly, I have been able to learn to analyze certain emotions I have and why I feel the way I do sometimes. I also learned that everyone is going through different things at different stages in their lives whether they express it or not. It is important to have empathy for yourself and to others.

I learned that each exercise had a reason for the method and I learned how pivotal it is to be able to understand body language of myself and others. By acknowledging the significance of emotional intelligence and self-awareness in high-pressure situations, I can apply the lessons I learned in this course to my field of study in finance. It's simple to overlook stress reactions or emotional cues in the finance industry, where quick decisions are the standard. My ability to stop, think, and comprehend the "why" behind my emotions has improved as a result of this course, and it may eventually help me make more deliberate and well-rounded professional judgments.

Furthermore, seeing that everyone is dealing with their own personal struggles, whether they express them or not, has increased my empathy for clients and coworkers. Although empathy is frequently underestimated in the banking industry, it is essential for client interactions, teamwork, and leadership. As I developed, I came to understand the importance of body language and nonverbal communication in both commercial and therapeutic contexts. Being able to interpret and project body language successfully can be very helpful when managing a team, negotiating a contract, or presenting to stakeholders.

Overall, by increasing my emotional intelligence and knowledge of non-verbal communication, this course has helped me advance both personally and professionally. These realizations will help me in my future career in finance, where success depends on having empathy and stress management skills. What started out as an apparently irrelevant experience has finally equipped me with the skills I need to become a more productive, considerate, and sympathetic professional.

Beyond General Approaches

Leah Treglia

Throughout this course, I gained a lot of understanding of the connection between movement and emotional expression. One of my key takeaways was how dance can serve as a therapeutic tool to access and process emotions that can be difficult to verbalize at times. I also learned how body awareness, mindfulness, and intentional movement can help promote psychological self-awareness. This course showed the idea that movement is not only physical but also emotional and symbolic, which challenged me at times to think beyond general approaches to therapy and healing.

During the learning process, I felt intrigued and challenged. At times, stepping into unfamiliar movement exercises pushed me out of my comfort zones, but it also encouraged me to explore parts of myself that I typically don't do in an academic setting. I loved the open environment that allowed for vulnerability, creativity, and reflection amongst myself and others. Between experimental learning, discussions, and theories, the learning process helped me feel more connected to the material and to others in my class.

As a Sports Management major and being a student athlete here, I saw great value in integrating dance movement therapy principles into my daily life skills. Learning the emphasis of body awareness, emotional regulation, and non-verbal expression aligns a lot with the mental health needs for athletes. I will keep applying these concepts by developing performance enhancing strategies that include mindfulness, stress relief, and some recovery techniques that are involved with movement. Whether this is through pre-meet routines or leadership workshops, the insights from this course can support the development for athletes both on and off the field. I learned so much that I can use with swimming on a daily basis.

Mind-Body Connection

Sophia Talamas

Throughout this course, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how movement can be a powerful tool for healing, self-expression, and emotional processing. One of my biggest takeaways is the idea that the body holds memory and emotion, and that movement can offer an alternative form of communication for individuals who may struggle to express themselves verbally. Concepts like mirroring, kinesthetic empathy, and attunement helped me see how the therapeutic relationship can be built not just through words but through presence, movement, and mutual rhythm.

During the learning process, I felt both challenged and inspired. At times, stepping out of my comfort zone to being more familiar with my body because of something quite freeing. One exercise that resonated deeply with me was the eye contact activity. It helped me understand how vital eye contact is in forming genuine, secure connections, and how this skill traces all the way back to early childhood bonding. Learning that a lack of eye contact in infancy can shape how we relate to others later in life made me reflect on my own experiences and inspired me to be more intentional about using eye contact to foster connections in my daily life. This exercise, among others, really highlighted how even the simplest forms of nonverbal communication can hold so much emotional weight.

As a biochemistry student with future plans in medicine, I see dance movement therapy as a valuable complement to traditional forms of care. Understanding the mind-body connection will be essential in treating patients holistically. I hope to apply these takeaways by remaining sensitive to nonverbal cues, incorporating somatic awareness into patient care, and advocating for integrative approaches to health that acknowledge the emotional and psychological aspects of illness and healing.

Essential Partners in Well-Being

Vittoria Papa

Throughout this course, I developed a deeper understanding of how dance and movement can be used as powerful tools for emotional expression, self-awareness, and healing. It has highlighted how closely the body and mind are intertwined, and how movement can tap into emotional layers that are often inaccessible through words alone.

Psycho-physical approaches emphasize the importance of connecting emotion with movement. This method challenged me to become more present in my body and to recognize how physical patterns can reflect internal states. This makes me think more critically about how I carry myself in everyday life—how posture, gesture, and movement are deeply symbolic and often subconscious. I started to see movement as a language—subtle, yet incredibly honest.

Rhythm creates a communal energy (like the exercise in class where we all played instruments and when we come up with our own rhythms as a class) that felt grounding and safe, showing how nonverbal synchronization can foster empathy and trust.

These sessions taught me that therapy doesn’t always need to begin with dialogue. Sometimes, the body speaks first. I learned to tune into physical cues, not only in myself but also in others. This kind of attunement—listening without words—has shifted the way I think about relationships and communication.

I believe the skills I’ve learned in this course are deeply transferable. Body awareness, emotional regulation through movement, and the ability to interpret nonverbal signals are all essential tools in building deeper, more compassionate relationships—whether in therapy, in leadership roles, or in everyday life. This class taught me that healing can begin with something as simple and human as a shared rhythm or a grounding breath.

In all, I’ve walked away with not only theoretical knowledge but a felt experience of the power that movement holds. I hope to carry that into whatever I pursue next, honoring both mind and body as essential partners in well-being.

Incorporating Breath-Work and Mindfulness

Enrique Borrego

As a business major, this class was something very different than what I am used. It gave me space to slow down and reflect, leaving me with one of the biggest takeaways of learning how important it is to check-in with myself daily. I learned how movement can express what words sometimes are not able to and how simply being present in your body can help you understand yourself and others at a deeper level. I truly valued creating connections with my classmates through shared movements and reflection. One of the exercises that I enjoyed the most was Laban's Cube and making our 8 movements within that box. I enjoyed learning how my body moves through space and then incorporating different techniques (efforts) such as slashing, floating, and more to get a better understanding of my spatial awareness.

Throughout the learning process, I felt challenged in a new way. From the first day of class, I had felt uncertain and was quickly pushed outside of my comfort zone. But those were the moments that helped me grow and I slowly became more and more comfortable in class and doing the movements. I started paying attention to my daily routine and how I moved throughout my interactions with the people around me. The combination of a supportive environment and engaging material helped deepen my understanding of myself. I really liked the concept of learning something, doing the activity, and then reflecting on it in our discussion board. This gave me a full circle experience and a better understanding of what we were learning.

In my field of study, I now see how applicable this work is. With my profession, communication and connection are key to a successful career and this class gave me the tools in order to better understand nonverbal communication and emotional awareness. While also being a student athlete, body awareness and emotional regulation are big parts of a good performance. I am slowly learning how to incorporate breath-work and mindfulness techniques into my daily life with school and practice. I also took note that being aware of how people carry stress or emotions physically can help me be a more empathetic and effective leader.

Overall, I thought this class gave me something that most of my courses don't, it helped me connect with myself on a human level. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to learn and reflect with my classmates to deepen my understanding on how much wisdom our bodies carry.

Opportunities for Personal Growth

Alexander Kovsky

Coming into DAN291 with nothing more than a recommendation from a friend to take this class with Professor Morejon, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. As a double major in Marketing and Legal Studies in the Herbert Business School, stepping into a dance class felt like entering a completely unfamiliar territory. Despite this, I came with an open mind, curious to see what this experience could offer, and looking back at it, I’m incredibly glad I did. What unfolded over the semester was far more than I originally anticipated. This course opened my eyes not only to the field of dance movement therapy (DMT) but also to deeper aspects of my own identity, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence.

One of my most significant takeaways from DAN291 was understanding the therapeutic power of movement and shared presence. Activities like prolonged eye contact, clowning, and mirroring challenged me in ways I didn’t expect, allowing me to connect with others and myself on a more human level. I learned that vulnerability can be a strength and that movement, when done with intention, can actually unlock insights that words simply cannot. I’ll never forget the moment on the first day when I called my name “basic” and Professor Morejon quickly corrected me, saying, “Alexander is a powerful name, like Alexander the Great.” That simple comment left a mark on me. It gave me a sense of acceptance and confidence that made me feel safe and seen in a space that was entirely new to me. I’ve often felt detached from my name, as if it were just another label in a crowded world, but that single exchange allowed me to reclaim it with pride. Another key takeaway was the importance of starting and ending sessions together as a group. In a world that often feels chaotic and divided, that sense of unity truly felt grounding to me. It reminded me that we’re not navigating life’s challenges alone, although it may seem like it a majority of the time. Instead, we are all on this journey together, going through the same trails and tribulations.

Throughout the learning process, I felt Professor Morejon did a wonderful job allowing us to discover ourselves while also pushing us to embrace different parts of the curriculum. Initially, I was unsure of how I would fit into a class that was rooted so heavily in movement, expression, and embodiment, concepts that felt far removed from my usual academic work. But over time, I came to appreciate the unique structure of the course. The classroom became a safe space where I could step outside my comfort zone without fear of judgment. At times, especially during exercises like prolonged eye contact, I felt awkward and exposed. Yet, those very moments became opportunities for personal growth. I also found joy inactivities like the cube experiment and mirroring, which brought out a creative and spontaneous side of me I rarely tap into in other courses. The mix of lectures, videos, readings, and interactive exercises kept the course educational and engaging.

This class reminded me of the importance of disrupting routine. As someone deeply interested in entrepreneurship, I’ve realized that growth often happens outside of predictable structures. We tend to glorify productivity and hustle –always being “on,” always pushing further and harder than last time. But this class taught me that there’s tremendous value in listening to your body and giving yourself space not only to rest but also to recharge. One analogy that came to mind during the course was that of a light bulb. If you leave a light bulb on continuously, it burns out quickly. But if you turn it off when not in use, it’ll shine brightly when you need it. The same goes for Olympic sprinters. They don’t sprint year-round—they train, recover, and only unleash their full power when the moment demands it. That balance of energy and recovery is something I’ve come to deeply respect, and I believe it will be a key to sustaining my success in the future.

DAN291 has been more than just a class, it’s been a shift in my overall perspective on the world and theway I look at myself. It allowed me to slow down, tune into myself, and appreciate the power of movement as a means of expression and healing. It reminded me that growth often comes from stepping outside our usual frameworks and embracing unfamiliar experiences. I now leave this course not only with a deeper understanding of DMT, but with a stronger sense of self and tools I’ll carry with me into my personal and professional future. For that, I’m truly grateful.

Emotional Expression, Self-awareness, and Healing

Vittoria Papa

Discomfort is Often a First Step to Growth

Emma Carter

This course has taught me so much more than I expected. I expected to learn a lot about dancing, and throughout the semester I came to realize that dance movement therapy is so much more than just "dance." I learned about the importance of connection and attunement. Our eye-contact and mirroring activities were the most impactful for me. The value of being comfortable with this level of vulnerability and connection is a lesson I am grateful to take away with me. I also learned about the many ways that DMT interventions can be pivotal for a huge variety of disorders. DMT can help with diseases that effect you physically such as Parkinsons, or disorders with internal effects such as ADHD and different types of anxiety. This is the unique thing about DMT that really makes me love the way it works - it has so much internal benefit in terms of confidence, self-expression, and more while also being a great way to "get into your body" and introduce movement to those that struggle with it for different health reasons.

I often felt surprised during the learning process in this course. I had no idea just how many things DMT could help with. I found myself wanting to take notes and remember what we were learning since much of it was beneficial to my everyday life and well-being as well. There were many times I felt discomfort or an apprehension during activities. Whether it was moving in a certain way or connecting deeper with a classmate, sometimes I would feel a resistance within myself. I would remind myself that discomfort is often a first step to growth and leaning into the feeling always reaped benefits.

As a community and applied psychology and education student, there are a multitude of ways I can apply my takeaways from this course into my career. While I am not sure if I will choose to go the route of teaching or therapy just yet, these lessons will be useful in both areas. In the classroom with elementary students, I think some form of "check-ins" that we practiced in DMT could be a really beneficial way to start the day, connect, and ground young kids before beginning lessons. Using movement to let students express their emotions and release energy in a productive way will allow us to have a calmer and more attentive classroom. Especially for students with learning differences, social anxiety, or other barriers DMT methods are a great way to engage students who need alternative ways to connect with their peers and be present. Should I go into counseling therapy, I could see myself using DMT methods to check-in with my clients, help them ground themselves, and connect.

Overall, I am walking away from this course with tools that will help me personally in relationships with others and myself as well as in my career. I think everyone could benefit from learning about dance movement therapy methods and the concept of "being in your body." This course was something I looked forward to during the week and I will look into more DMT courses in future semesters.

A Safe and Inclusive Space

Zack Stark

As a real estate major, I enrolled in the Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) course out of curiosity and found it transformative. I also enjoyed your class from last semester and knew you would do a great job teaching a different course. This course revealed movement as a powerful tool for emotional expression and connection, offering insights I can apply personally and professionally.

A key takeaway was the circle’s role in DMT, it creates a safe and inclusive space for sharing emotions during check-ins at the beginning of class. This sense of trust connects with building client relationships in real estate. Mirroring was my favorite exercise which pushed me out of my comfort zone, teaching me a deeper meaning to empathy through shared movement and eye contact. It aligned with my love for new experiences and deepened my understanding of non-verbal communication, a skill I’ll use in negotiations.

I was inspired by concepts like kinesthetic empathy and attunement, which foster emotional connections through movement. Rudolph Laban’s cube made dance accessible, encouraging creative exploration, while Ana Halprin’s community methodology showed how movement unites diverse groups, a principle I could apply to community-building in real estate. The case study on children highlighted DMT’s value in helping kids express emotions non-verbally, building resilience relevant in high-pressure fields like mine.This course challenged me to embrace vulnerability and creativity in a supportive and trustworthy environment

Personal and Social Progress

Julianna Sondon

When I began this course, I knew nothing about DMT. As it ends, I can say that I have had a truly enriching experience. Daily check-ins and goodbye rituals brought me peace before and after each class. Learning about Laban's cube, Marian Chases teachings, and the fundamentals of DMT have only reinforced what I’ve always felt inside; that dance is powerful. I have tapped into my inner most thoughts and feelings in ways I haven't in years. I will take away the power of movement to build understanding between people and inside ourselves.

During the learning process, at times, I felt awkward. Letting go and being yourself in front of strangers can be frightening. I have learned to grow past what others think in order to tap into how I really feel. Making prolonged eye contact, talking to strangers, sharing my emotions did not come easily, but I feel I have made a lot of personal and social progress.

I am a journalism student; good communication is the foundation of the entire industry. I need to be open with people. I need empathy and connection with others. I can do nothing in my job alone, I need others to help, to interview, to understand. This class has taught me about true connection with myself and others. This will be immensely helpful in my career.

Grow Out of my Comfort Zone

Jemma Burns

This class taught me a lot, and I think the main thing I took away from it was being more comfortable with my emotions and to use movements to express them and to take my mind off of them. Coming into this class, I didn't know very much about dance movement therapy or the many different aspects to it, and I feel like I learned a lot and expanded my knowledge about it throughout this course. It was very interesting to learn about the different types of therapy and how they applied to different types of people.

During the learning process of this course, I definitely faced some challenges. One activity we did in particular, the eye contact exercise, definitely pushed me outside of my comfort zone because I am not very good at holding eye contact. This definitely improved throughout the exercise and I felt a lot of personal growth at the conclusion of this activity. I also learned to be more in touch with my movements and how my body naturally moved, and this was something I was never very aware of before. I really enjoyed how close everyone in the class got with one another, and there was never a time that I felt uncomfortable in this environment. I have a tendency to become anxious when it comes to doing movement activities with new people and in large social settings, but this class helped me grow out of my comfort zone and allowed me to embrace being around new people and being able to learn from them and express our emotions together. I feel stronger and more confidence in myself

I'm studying business and want to go into a career that involves working in a team with data/analytics and problem solving. I will definitely apply the skills I learned in this class to my real world life and career activities. The social skills and skills that let me be in touch with my emotions and with how others are feeling as well, will benefit me in my later life and have broadened my own unique skill set and personality. I've also learned different ways to help be there for people who may be going through something, and how to teach people about techniques that make up dance movement therapy.

Communication and Understanding Each Other

Reese Friedman

When I decided to take this class I didn’t really know what to expect. I was able to take away a lot from this course. I now know the importance of my well being and taking care of myself.

Some of the ways that I can do this are moving my body freely, focusing on my breathing, and checking in with myself each day. I learned that movement can be a great form of expression and communication. This is not something that I was used to doing, but it can be a great way to let out your emotions. I also learned that closing my eyes and focusing on my breathing will help me relax and take me to a relaxing state. I will take away the importance of checking in with yourself and others, to get a sense of where everyone is at for the day.

Toward the beginning of this class, I felt very uncomfortable. I wasn’t used to expressing myself in front of other people and a lot of the activities felt awkward. However, as I progressed the class, I began to get more comfortable and enjoy the different activities. I remember feeling very uncomfortable early on when we had to make eye contact with people while not talking to them. I felt scared to do this at first and I didn’t think I was doing a good job. As we practiced it more, I became more comfortable and felt like the exercise helped me. I began to like these exercises, especially Laban’s cube where I could create my own movements within my own space.

I am a sports management major, and I feel like I will use things that I learned throughout this course. When communicating with athletes and coaches, communication and understanding each other is crucial. These are skills that I have worked on this semester. I can also use these skills to make myself better, by making sure that I use breathing techniques to calm myself down and make sure that I am grounded.

Overall, I enjoyed this class a lot. There aren’t many classes that I have taken during my time here where I can truly say that I have grown as a person. This class challenged me and I know that I will be able to use what I have learned to my advantage in the future.

Learning More About Others and Myself.

Haley Salta

Participating in Dance Movement Therapy was a really special experience for me. As someone studying Marketing and Psychology, and as someone who danced competitively growing up, it felt like the perfect blend of everything I care about. I’ve always seen dance as a way to express myself, especially during stressful times, but this course helped me understand how movement can actually support emotional healing. I learned that sometimes what we can’t say with words, we can say with our bodies. This concept in particular stuck with me.

At the beginning of the class, I was honestly a little shy and reserved. I tend to be that way when I’m in new spaces or around people I don’t know well. But as the weeks went on, I felt myself opening up more: both physically through movement and socially with others in the class. By the last class, I noticed I was more friendly, more comfortable, and not as worried about how I looked or if I was doing things “right.” That shift felt really empowering. I think being in a space that felt safe and nonjudgmental made all the difference. Additionally, DMT brought me back to why I loved dancing in the first place—not just for performance, but for how it made me feel. I liked that this class wasn’t about doing things perfectly, but more about being present and expressing whatever came up.

Looking ahead, I definitely see how I’ll carry what I learned into both my studies and future career. From a psychology perspective, I now have a better understanding of how the body holds emotions and how movement can be a tool for healing. From a marketing perspective (especially if I go into wellness or lifestyle work), I’ll remember how important emotional connection is for consumers making purchases or life-long investments. This class reminded me that people don’t just respond to messages, they respond to how something makes them feel. I’m really glad I took this course. It helped me reconnect with a part of myself I hadn’t tapped into in a while and gave me tools I didn’t even know I needed. More importantly, it helped me learn more about others and myself.

Push Ourselves Out of Our Comfort Zone

Brooke Bradley

Throughout Dance Movement therapy I have learned the meaning and purpose of DMT. I gained an understanding of how movement can be used as a therapeutic tool to access subconscious emotions, process trauma, and foster connection. DMT has a significant importance in society, especially in what it does for those with neurological illnesses like PTSD, anxiety, schizophrenia, depression, eating disorders, and even physical illnesses. Dance movement therapy is a method of healing the mind and body, and processing emotions.

During this learning process, I have enjoyed how this class not only teaches us what Dance Movement therapy is, but we are able to participate in the exercises where we learn about ourselves. I enjoyed activities where we had to push ourselves out of our comfort zone by presenting to the class, making uncomfortable eye contact, and trying new things that are not typical in a standard class room. This class allowed me to process stress and reflect on why I feel the emotions that I do.

As a math major, often we are taught to view things black and white. We operate in concrete formulas and right or wrong answers. This class has opened my mind to the possibility of more than one solution to a problem, to listen to my body, and to be attuned to others. I loved to learn about myself, and I will apply the techniques from DMT to my future in any career I choose to pursue. I have an understanding that how someone treats me is a reflection of how that person is feeling on the inside and that I should not take it personally, but be compassionate. Overall this course has been a unique class where I learned life skills rather than textbook skills. I encourage my friend to take this class to learn what dance movement therapy can do for them.

Experiential, Fun, Freeing, Empowering, and so Much More

Ava Wehrlin

This is a course unlike any other I've taken here at UM, in a great way. I've learned many things throughout the semester, and tried to fully integrate myself in the class to really learn and understand something I had very little or even no knowledge about. Some takeaways I have from this class, are learning how to express yourself through movement, even with no words. A lot can be said with just your body, that sometimes you just can't put into words, or don't know how to. Along with that, maybe your movements could say something you don't even realize you are feeling. Also, you don't need to be a professional dancer or have rhythm, just following what Professor was guiding us to do can bring something out of you that you may not have discovered yet. It helps you connect the mind to the body, which I think is very overlooked this day in age, yet so important. I think it fed all important things, body, mind, and soul. Dance movement therapy is experiential, fun, freeing, empowering, and so much more. I think this class was such a great experience for me and I'm so happy I enrolled at the beginning of the semester.

At the beginning of the semester, the learning process was very different and a bit scary for me. I have only been in classrooms where you sit at a desk, take out your notebook, and just quickly write everything the Professor is teaching. However, in this class nothing felt rushed, it was calming, motivating and took me very much out of my comfort zone - which I loved. Some of the early exercises did bring me some anxiety or awkwardness, like making direct eye contact with people I've never spoken to, or even met yet. But, I can gladly say It was very important for me, as I probably never would've done it on my own without a little push. As the semester went on, I became a lot more comfortable not only in my own body but with my classmates as well. I also felt that same energy from everyone else in the room, which I find extremely important, as you don't find that in many classrooms at UM. Also, towards the end of the semester, I felt how everything was connecting, how important it is to take care of all that's inside of you, and how to express yourself in a way that many either don't know or may not understand. There wasn't a day I dreaded going to this class. On that note, it didn't always feel like just a class. It felt more of an experience but most importantly a therapy. I can confidently say I learned so much from a class and fell in love with a class that I didn't think I would personally like, as it's not my usual style.

My particular field of study is Marketing and Accounting, but I think dance movement therapy can be taken into any field. You are always gonna have stress, have a bad day, have a good day, be super sad, or super happy, no matter how you are feeling, dance movement therapy is there. For me in particular, in marketing it is key to know your audience and target, and even take it a step further and see their feelings or actions to accurately target them as a client. With dance movement therapy I think I could do that much easier than without it. Like the mirroring exercise for example, you are using the client/partners movements and trying to decipher how they feel, while also attuning yourself to that as well. Outside of that, just using different exercises, knowledge, and theories after or before work, to calm myself, feel out my emotions, express those emotions, and help put myself in a better place.

Stronger Relationships in School and Business

Kianna Burke

Throughout this semester, I have experienced a unique learning journey that challenged me in new ways and helped me grow. From engaging in movement-based activities to participating in honest and open class check-ins, I discovered how powerful it can be to connect with others and to learn through movement. These experiences taught me the importance of self-expression, kinesthetic empathy, and motional awareness—skills that not only impacted my time in this class but will also carry over into my studies in communications and my work as a professional.

I learned a lot throughout this semester. One takeaway I have is that as a class, and as human beings, we have a lot in common. By learning about the benefits of the circle, and starting out class with a check-in, I was able to realize a lot of my classmates had similar feelings to one another. It was comforting knowing other classmates felt stressed, tired, or sad. We could all relate to that, and know it is okay to not be feeling great all the time. The benefit of the circle is that it creates a safe and enclosed space between all of us in the room. Making eye-contact with one another enables connection, and since we are all on the same level we feel equal to one another. Another takeaway from class is that there are many ways to get to know yourself better, and know others better. Through our movement exercises, storytelling through dance, and practices exploring the space around us, I was better able to express my thoughts and feelings. This was a new way of thinking and expression, and this experience allowed me to find new techniques for stress relief, in addition to learning about the psyche and emotional well-being.

This class pushed me out of my comfort zone in a great way. I enjoyed the variety of learning formats that we had in this class. I felt that participating in exercises was beneficial and fun. At first, I felt hesitant and silly, but once I got more comfortable in the space I enjoyed the exercises very much. Working with my classmates to create dances and therapeutic movement was my favorite part. Typically, I do not like to present in front of a group, but working with others and sharing in a safe space made this enjoyable and comfortable. Watching videos and hearing readings from you during our sessions was good to get more detailed information, and also visualize examples of what we would be working on in class. I liked the cube exercise, when we all had our eyes closed and moved within the space around us. This made me have better self awareness on my confidence levels, and comfort in my own skin. I think having our eyes closed made me feel comfortable because I knew we were all participating, but everyone was focused on themselves. I also enjoyed our group work using the components of human movement (weight, speed, flow, direction). This felt creative and put meaning and intention to each movement. Choosing music to move to enhance the symbolic meaning of our expressions, and made us move more freely. Overall, I really value how this class had a different learning process to my others, and I feel that my engagement was helping me learn a lot.

I am currently finishing my junior year, and will be a senior in the fall. I am studying communications, with minors in entrepreneurship and journalism. In addition to my studies, I model professionally with agencies in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. I feel that there are lots of ways I can apply my take-aways from this class to my field of study and my career. I learned a lot about communication during this semester and improved my skills in expressing myself, and better observing and understanding others. Through our body image exercise, drawing ourselves and writing what we see, and what we want for ourselves, I had a better understanding of what I value and what I hope for in the future. I can use what I have learned about how I see myself and the characteristics I value in myself to be a better business person and student, and have an increased awareness of how I want to present myself to the world. Additionally, learning how we all have much in common is something I am able to use in my studies and career to connect with others. Checking in with those around me, being aware of emotions, and mindful movement can make me have stronger relationships in school and business. Our class using methodology based on music has made me more mindful of what I listen to, and the media I consume.

Using the message in lyrics and songs to produce our own interpretation made me aware of how much I
connect emotionally to the music I listen to every day. This course provided me with more than just academic knowledge—it gave me tools to better understand myself and those around me. I’ve learned that vulnerability, connection, and creativity are powerful forms of communication, and these lessons will stay with me as I move forward in both my education and career. By applying what I have learned here—especially the value of mindful movement—I feel better prepared to build stronger relationships and thrive in both professional and personal settings.

Just Moving Freely is Enough

Guemara Marcelin

Taking this Dance Movement Therapy class has opened my eyes to the deep connection between the mind and the body. One of my biggest take-aways is that movement can be a true form of healing, especially when words aren’t enough. I learned how important it is to listen to the body and how authentic movement can bring unconscious emotions to the surface. I also really appreciated learning about the therapeutic relationship and how much trust and intuition are involved in this work. This class reminded me that healing can look different for everyone, and sometimes, just moving freely is enough to start that process.

Throughout the course, I felt a mix of curiosity, excitement, and sometimes even vulnerability. At first, it was a little uncomfortable stepping outside of the traditional way of learning and into something that felt more personal. But over time, I started to feel more connected not only to the material but to myself. I enjoyed how the class allowed space for reflection and creativity. It made the learning experience feel more alive and meaningful, and I appreciated how supportive the environment was, both from the instructor and my classmates.

As a global health major, I see so many ways to apply what I learned in this course. Dance movement therapy could be a powerful tool for helping people heal from trauma, especially in communities where mental health conversations are still developing. I want to bring more body-based healing approaches into my work, especially within Haitian communities and other groups that may not always have access to traditional therapy. Learning how to honor movement as a language of its own has given me a new perspective on how to support people's emotional and physical well-being in a more holistic way.

Helping Myself is Actually the Best Way to Help Others

Sophia Kyriazis

Over the course of this class, I have learned quite a few important lessons. I originally took this course as a cognate because my advisor said I needed it to graduate, and while I came in with somewhat high expectations, not as a dancer, but because of my background in psychology classes and working with kids with autism, I was still surprised by how much I gained. One major takeaway is that learning more about yourself is essential for growth, understanding, and development. I also realized how much we can notice about people simply by observing their movements and body language. Additionally, I learned that dance itself is not easy, and dancing in a room full of people can be even more challenging, requiring a lot of vulnerability and trust. Now that I leave the course, I realize that helping myself is actually the best way to help others.

During the learning process of this course, I often felt uncomfortable, but in a good, productive way. The discomfort pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me become more open and present in the space. I also felt relaxed and excited during our check-ins and closings, as they created a sense of connection and a safe place to reflect and share experiences with others. As a Greek-American, I also started to realize how important it was that I grew up constantly dancing at events, especially the ritual aspects like circular movement, eye contact, and being in sync with others. This course helped me see those moments from my culture in a much deeper and more meaningful way.

I plan to apply my takeaways from this course to my field of study in communication. Being able to pick up on others’ movements and body language will help me better understand how people are feeling, even when they are not expressing it verbally. This skill will allow me to communicate more empathetically, build stronger connections, and respond more thoughtfully in both professional and personal interactions. Whether working with kids, collaborating with colleagues, or simply navigating daily relationships, the awareness I built in this course will stay with me and continue to shape how I engage with the world.

I’ve always loved musicals, and a few months ago, before taking this course, I watched Wicked. When I rewatched it recently, one scene really stood out to me. There’s a turning point where Glinda (in pink) and Elphaba (green and black) begin to connect. Up until that moment, Elphaba had been ridiculed for her differences, especially her green skin. Glinda had even participated in the bullying, but in this scene, everything shifts. They begin to form a bond and eventually become best friends.

This moment reminded me of the concepts of mirroring, joining, and empathy that we’ve studied in DMT. The eye contact, the subtle mimicry of movement, and the gradual synchronization between the two characters beautifully demonstrate how movement can build empathy and connection. They begin moving together as if they are one entity, symbolizing their growing understanding of each other. And then everyone joins in and it becomes sort of a ritual moment.

Intricate Therapeutic Movement

Lily Richter

Throughout this course on Dance Movement Therapy (DMT), I have gained a profound understanding of how movement can serve as a form of psychotherapy. I learned that DMT integrates the mind, body, and psyche. Some major takeaways for me included the importance of the initial conversation between therapist and client, used to assess their readiness and level of need. I also learned about the significance of the circle in therapy, providing equality by everyone being able to make eye contact. I now recognize how trauma can be processed not only verbally but physically, and how myths and rituals in movement offer an empowering way to work through deep emotional pain. Concepts like kinesthetic empathy, the use of breathing to calm the nervous system, and the various movement techniques like joining, mirroring, and attunement all opened my eyes to how intricate therapeutic movement can be.

During the learning process, I often felt both challenged and inspired. Experiencing exercises like mirroring allowed me to not only express my own emotions but also connect to the emotions of my peers. This highlighted the power of non-verbal communication. Some activities pushed me out of my comfort zone, but they ultimately made me feel more grounded and connected to others. Watching "The Power of Movement" reinforced the importance of purposeful movement in articulating emotions and creating shared experiences.

Looking ahead, I see countless ways to apply these takeaways to my field of study. As someone focused on finance and economics, I recognize that while the industries are often seen as rigid, the principles of emotional awareness and empathy are crucial for building client trust and fostering team collaboration. Learning about resilience versus toxic resilience reminds me that genuine processing is vital even in high-pressure environments. Tools like deep breathing, recognizing body language through kinesthetic empathy, and understanding the emotional weight behind human behavior will enhance my interpersonal skills and leadership potential.

In conclusion, this course has not only expanded my knowledge of Dance Movement Therapy but has also given me lasting insights into human connection and healing. It reminded me that movement, breath, and empathy are powerful tools not only in therapy but in life. By integrating these concepts into my academic and future professional path, I feel better equipped to connect authentically with others and to maintain my own well-being in any field I choose to pursue.

Shaking Off the Stress

Miguel Rodriguez

This course was nothing like any other course I have taken at the University of Miami. I came in with the expectation that I would just be taking an easy class where I didn't have to pay attention whatsoever. However, I slowly began to grow an interest in some of the topics in the course and even decided to apply some to my personal life. A few things I took away from this course were that DMT allows for people to express their traumas through movement because they might not be able to verbally. I also learned how essential eye contact is in order to establish attunement or a connection with someone else. The circle was also an important part of the class because it symbolizes equality, unity, security, and vulnerability. Another takeaway was that the therapist must always start a session by checking in with his/her patient and at times join them in their fantasy. Lastly, I learned that when practicing mindfulness, you must accept incoming thoughts and feelings (negative or positive) but do not react to them.

During the learning process, I will admit that the class activities felt awkward, especially the one where we had to stare at the person in front of us without saying a word. However, as the classes progressed, I began to grow more comfortable with my classmates, and the group activities felt fun instead of awkward. The activities forced me to get out of my comfort zone, especially first thing in the morning, and it helped me out a lot. I really enjoyed the fact that the class was not based around just your traditional lecture. I feel like that is what kept me engaged and inspired me to pay attention.

Moving forward, I will be going into international sales for my professional career, and I see myself applying some of the takeaways I got from this course. In my career I will have to deal with people not only through the phone but also in person. DMT focuses on nonverbal communication and awareness of body language, which could help me tune into clients’ unspoken signals and project more authentic, confident vibes. Thanks to DMT, I can now identify, more efficiently, when someone is projecting their insecurities or is just flat out lying. Also, sales can be stressful, and I feel like I can apply techniques that I learned in this course to shake off the stress.

Overall, I am very grateful for taking this course because not only did I learn about a new subject, I learned more about myself.

Skills that Go Beyond Academics

Carolina Parr

One of my biggest takeaways from this course was learning more about myself through self-reflection exercises. These activities pushed me to examine how I carry myself, how I communicate, and how others may perceive me based on my body language and tone. I realized that the way I present myself gives others insight into what I am feeling internally, even when I may not say anything out loud.

At the beginning of the course, I felt uncomfortable. Many of the exercises forced me out of my comfort zone and were challenging for me to complete. However, over time, I noticed that the activities became easier. I grew more comfortable with the process, and I was able to approach the work with more openness and less fear.

These takeaways are especially important for my future career. I am studying to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), a high-stress, high-risk profession where confidence and composure are crucial. I will be working with many patients who are sick, scared, and going through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Having these exercises and the self-awareness I developed through this course will not only help me stay grounded under pressure but will also allow me to better support and comfort the patients I work with. Some of the techniques I learned, such as releasing tension and maintaining self-confidence, will be essential in creating a calm and trusting environment for the people I care for.

Overall, this course taught me skills that go beyond academics. It gave me a better understanding of myself and showed me the importance of self-awareness and confidence in both personal and professional settings. I am grateful for the experience and excited to continue applying what I learned as I move forward in my studies and future career.

The Benefits of Dancing Each Week

James Imhof

I would consider this course to be one of the more unique classes I have taken in college. In the business school, we are required to take many business core classes so it can be hard to branch out and take other classes in different schools at UM. One of my biggest takeaways from the class was how DMT can be used to express one’s stress/trauma. Another takeaway I had was the importance of dancing. I have started to try and dance more as I used to not really consider myself a dancer, and this course really opened my eyes to the benefits of dancing each week. Another takeaway from this class was the importance of how we move our body and how it can affect how people perceive us. Body language can tell alot about a person and I found this to be very interesting and applicable to the real world.

During the learning process I will admit that it was a bit awkward at first. I felt a bit uncomfortable in some of the early exercises where we had to make eye contact and do some dance routines in front of everyone. As the semester progressed I felt a lot more comfortable with the exercises and felt a bit more relaxed and not as worried about what people will think of my dance exercises/movements. I felt more and more engaged throughout the semester, and I noticed my attitude and perception of dance movement therapy to become more positive.

After college, I am entering a career in finance and will work in corporate banking (lending) as an analyst at one of the big banks. Finance is generally perceived as a very fast paced and stressful job. So, I will use the breathing exercises and other stress-relief exercises to help me deal with the job when times get stressful. I will indeed make more of an effort to dance on the weekends. Exercises like the mirroring one better helped me understand how I present myself to others. Impressions last, and I will take what I learned about body language and apply it to when I meet more people in the journey we call life. Overall, I am really glad that my friend recommended that I take this course as it helped me understand things I did not really understand about myself, and I feel like a better person as a result.

Building my Toolbox

Avery Rymes

This class has helped me in more ways than I even know. I am so glad I took it and will recommend it to anyone! A lot of the techniques and ideas behind what we learn in class are applicable to every day life. I have been trying to use what we have learned in class to better myself and help those around me. This includes eye contact work, body language and also processing emotional things. I had never heard of dance/movement as a form of therapy before. It is good to know how beneficial dance is for everyone (including myself) and also how we can use it in certain ways to provide aid for specific groups.

At the beginning of this class I was very uncomfortable with many of the activities. I do not "live in my body" very much, so I felt not at ease. I genuinely believe the combination of this class, my age/maturity, and the personal things I have been going through have built and cemented parts of my child self to adult self over the last few months. My uncomfortability with the class quickly turned into excitement to push myself further and grow closer to the people around me. I loved having so much interaction with my peers during a college class! This is not something that commonly happens during classes towards my major for example and this is the only cognate I have taken and will take at UMIAMI.

My take-aways from this class can be used every where and every day. This includes during my future work endeavors. I can particularly use reading people body language. This will be applicable when reading clients as well as when forming relationships with coworkers. One of my biggest flaws is failing to emotionally connect with others and to share my own emotions. While I am still learning to better these parts of myself, this class has helped build my toolbox. Even between lessons or classes you have taught me so much about how to support those around you and I am thankful.

Subconscious Thoughts and Feelings

Connor Dunham

Throughout this Dance Movement Therapy course, I discovered powerful lessons about the deep connection between the body, mind, and emotions. One of my biggest takeaways was realizing how people’s movements often reveal subconscious thoughts and feelings about themselves, even more than words sometimes can. I also learned how important eye contact is for building kinesthetic empathy, helping us connect not just in therapy, but in everyday life starting from a young age. Another insight that stood out to me was understanding that the things people say about others often reflect how they feel about themselves internally. Dance Movement Therapy also gave me a new way to study myself, through direct embodied experiences rather than just intellectual analysis. I now recognize how the overwhelming exposure to trauma images on social media contributes to collective PTSD, and how creating myths or symbolic stories can be a healthy way for individuals to process difficult emotions without having to relive them directly.

As the course went on, I felt myself gradually becoming more connected with the group and increasingly attuned to my own body. The circle formation we often used in class helped foster a stronger sense of unity and safety, and with time, I became much more comfortable expressing myself through movement. Outside of class, I noticed these ideas showing up too—when going out dancing, I realized how true it is that many people who are disconnected from their bodies also struggle with expressing themselves freely. Your approach as a professor made this course truly unique. I felt consistently supported to explore, reflect, and grow, and I am genuinely grateful for all the knowledge, wisdom, and space you offered us to study ourselves with curiosity rather than judgment.

Moving forward, I plan to apply many of these lessons both professionally and personally. I feel more confident and grounded in my own body, which will help me in high-pressure situations like job interviews and future employment opportunities. I am also more mindful of limiting how much trauma-based content I consume online, protecting my mental health and emotional well-being. As someone pursuing work in marketing, communications, and user experience design, the concepts from this class remind me of how essential authentic human connection is, whether that’s understanding the nonverbal cues of an audience, designing experiences that tap into kinesthetic empathy, or creating campaigns that promote healing rather than harm. Dance Movement Therapy has taught me that the body carries wisdom that words sometimes cannot reach—and that understanding can shape more conscious, compassionate work in any field.

Thank you for everything!

The Importance of Connection

Arantza Suarez

This Dance Movement Therapy course has really taught me the importance of connection - both with oneself, through aligning the body, mind, and spirit to surface our true selves, emotions, and experiences, and also connection with others through showing empathy and having shared experiences. I’ve come to appreciate the shape of a circle in a non geometric sense, as its purpose is essential in creating a safe, supportive atmosphere. The therapeutic circle forces us to engage in eye contact, the key to unlocking those feelings of empathy, and allows the group to connect with each other, and block out distractions or negative energies outside of the circle. I also realized how influential dancing can be. In an immediate and short term results sense, dancing helps in uplifting the spirit and mood, and bringing the mind and body into the present moment. In a long term result sense, dance movement therapy can be a highly valuable, non invasive therapeutic approach for managing and treating a range of mental health conditions such as post traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety, and even shizophrenia. It also allows people to explore their body boundaries and surface negative (or positive) subconscious emotions, feelings, or experiences, through movement.

During the learning process in this course, I often felt vulnerable -especially in the beginning few classes- and at times a little uncomfortable. I was not only not used to dancing in front of peers, but I was not used to so openly and honestly expressing myself to others. As the course progressed, I quickly felt more at ease with exploring my self and let go of self-consciousness that I was experiencing to embrace the playful aspects of dance movement therapy. I really felt as though if I did not commit myself to embrace the challenges of digging deeper into my mind and how I felt or thought, I was not going to gain nearly as much value or insight from the work. One of the most memorable and enjoyable experiences I had was during our clowning class. I appreciated how during the clowning exercise, creating and embodying our own clown personas allowed for an exaggerated self-expression while still offering a sense of safety and cover as the “clown”. Another especially memorable experience was drawing our self portraits. This exercise made me feel especially vulnerable, however, at that point in the course I was feeling more comfortable with genuine emotional exploration, and although I found it challenging, I was able to accept this difficulty I was having because I felt slightly uncomfortable and overcome it to embrace the challenge and learn more about myself. Throughout the whole course, I felt as though everything we were learning and practicing carried a deep meaning and had a lasting impact. Weather that was on the way I perceived myself or the world, or even just brightening up my day, I always appreciated what we were discussing and looked forward coming to class.

I would apply my takeaways from this course to my field of studies, which is real estate and legal studies, by emphasizing the importance of human connection and emotional awareness even in professional environments. For instance, I’ve learned how meaningful and impactful it is to maintain eye contact in relationships (one on one or in group settings), because it fosters trust and openness, and is the building blocks to experiencing and showing empathy to others. Empathy is important because it allows us to understand and share the feelings of others to improve connection and understanding. In a professional setting, this is valuable in improving teamwork, fosters connection and a sense of belonging to the group, and even encourages personal growth by promoting self-awareness. Tying in with eye contact and empathy, I would also integrate our classes daily check-ins with colleagues to assess how they are feeling each morning. This would not only maintain positive relationships and open lines of communication, but also reaffirms lines of support within the team. If any team member is having a particularly rough day, the check-in could inform the rest of the team on how best to communicate and collaborate with that person on that day. Creating this kind of mindful, supportive, and empathetic work atmosphere would improve interpersonal dynamics and could lead to more effective teamwork and relationships. Finally, I also apply my takeaway of the vitalness dancing is to happiness and longevity into my everyday life by dancing at every opportunity I have. From brushing my teeth, dancing in the shower, and grooving in the car on my commute to school, dancing immediately puts a smile on my face, brings me energy, and uplifts my mood.

My Very Own Dance Movement Therapy Session

Mia Scheidter

This was the most influential class I have taken over the course of my three years here. Not only have I learned so much about dance as a therapy, but I’ve learned so much about life as well. I have learned more from this course and Professor Morejon than I have in any other class, and I know I will use the knowledge and insight I’ve gained throughout my entire life. Professor Morejon is an inspiration and it is difficult to put into words how much his teaching has helped me. He has given me a new perspective on other people’s responses, how to respond to certain situations, and most importantly has helped me develop a new mindset to conquer anything I am faced with in the future. I love starting my day with this class because I feel happier, more awake, motivated and ready for what my day has to offer. There is a significant difference in my mood and productivity when I start my day with Dance Movement Therapy vs when I do not, and I wish I could continue this class even after college. Nevertheless, I plan to incorporate the exercises we did in class into my morning routine and continue to explore and strengthen my mind-body connection on my own account. My desire and ability to complete this is only possible because of Professor Morejon’s amazing teaching style and dedication to his students’ success.

There are so many aspects of this course that I want to take with me, as the content is very relevant to me as a person and my field of study. The main takeaway I want to focus on is that this course was an opportunity for me to learn about myself, to see myself as a topic of interest. I have always been school-oriented and oftentimes would put assignments and studying over my own basic needs. I never believed that mindset could lead to such hardships, but after a while of never giving to myself, I started to lose my dedication and motivation to other things because I wasn’t happy. This course has made me realize that I need to give to myself before, and more than I give to exterior aspects of my life, which has increased my mood and given me a way more positive outlook on life. I specifically remember Patricia Capello’s method of using songs with lyrics and in her session using “Halo,” she encourages everyone to give themselves a halo first, and then to everyone else. This really stuck with me because I realized I have to give love, appreciation and effort to myself before I can give that to anyone else. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

Another big takeaway I have is that I can answer a lot of questions about myself, not by thinking, but by feeling and moving. I live most of my life in my head and it can feel overwhelming and overfilling. This class gave me the opportunity to move freely and just let my body express itself, which is something I never really allow myself to do. Instead of taking study breaks where I think, I play music and dance, and my mind is so much clearer than it was before. This tactic has made my life more enjoyable and less stressful, and I will be continuing this throughout my life.

Using Laban’s cube to explore how our body moves in space was something that really helped me get out of my head and actually live in my body. Professor Morejon said in class one day that he heard someone say “It doesn’t seem like they live in their own body,” and that this really stuck with him. Well, this really stuck with me too because I realized that I don’t live in my own body. I’ve started to use the concept of Laban’s cube when exploring my space now and it has really helped me become in tune with my body and I feel the most aligned I ever have. The last takeaway from this course is not based on the curriculum, but more of a life lesson from Professor Morejon. I’ve learned that if I am stable and set in myself, it becomes very hard to have issues with other people because you realize that the problem is more within them than it has to do with you. Moving forward, I am going to focus on aligning myself with things I resonate with, feel right to me, and that better me as a person.

During the learning process, I felt excited, intrigued, inspired and most of all supported. I had an amazing class that put their all into every exercise and enhanced the entire experience for me. There was no judgement, and everyone approached each concept with an open mind, which encouraged me to immerse myself entirely in the experience. The learning atmosphere itself was incredibly welcoming and nurturing, and I always looked forward to going, but mainly because of Professor Morejon’s passion for this field. He has such a drive to help his students succeed and it is such a motivator to have someone in your corner. He instills a sense of “you can do this,” in his students, which is much needed and appreciated with all the struggles college students face. Because of this, I was interested in learning from him and I wanted to learn everything I could about Dance Movement Therapy. His passion for the topic has in turn promoted so much interest in DMT for me, which is a field I had never studied before.

I believe that DMT is incredibly beneficial to many types of people and I am so grateful for this opportunity to learn about it from someone so passionate, because I now share that same passion. The “learning process” never really felt like studying because I was genuinely interested in what we were discussing, which also made the process way more exciting and intrinsically motivating. I even stepped out of my comfort zone and asked my group if I could lead the therapy session because it is something I am very interested in and I wanted to see if I was capable of it. I usually would never put myself in the center of attention of a group, but I felt comfortable and supported enough to do so, and got to lead my very own Dance Movement Therapy session.

The many takeaways I’ve gained for myself would certainly apply to my field of study, as I am a psychology major. My goal is to go into Clinical Psychology and possibly work with children with disabilities, or focus on burnout in highschool and college students. In working with students, I would promote self-care and the importance of taking care of yourself when dealing with all of the demands of school and newly blossoming social lives. I believe that if someone told me earlier to take time for myself, I would not have felt as stressed or overworked as I used to feel. I would also suggest some of the exercises we did in class, such as drawing a portrait and then acting out the corresponding movements. This was a really influential activity for me and it gave me a lot of insight into how I saw myself, which helped me figure out what steps to take to support myself. If I worked with children with disabilities, I would definitely utilize the mind-body integration techniques that we learned to help them feel more in control of and connected to their own bodies. Another career track I am interested in is being a psychologist who specializes in celebrities, as this particular group of people have a different social experience than most of us have. I think dance movement therapy would be particularly successful with this group because a lot of what they do in their lives is for other people to see, and they don’t have many opportunities to really get to know themselves and what might be going on with them.

Overall, I have gotten more out of this class than I have any other class and I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn about myself. Every professor wants their students to take something from their class, and I have absorbed any and every piece of knowledge Professor Morejon has taught me, which speaks to the strength of both the professor and the course itself. All of my family and friends have heard about this class, as I continuously share what I have learned with them and I encourage them to try some of the exercises we did. I have never had a class where I wanted to practice the concepts after the class was over and that is why I believe this was such an influential course. Dance Movement Therapy and Professor Morejon gave me the opportunity and support needed to learn about myself, tactics to use in my future profession, and a new outlook on life in general.

Part of a Larger, Unfolding Journey.

Rachel Tomasetti

This course has been unlike any other I’ve taken at the University of Miami. It has not only expanded my understanding of movement, but it has also deepened my relationship with myself. This class became a mirror — one that reflected not only the body in motion, but the internal world shaping that motion.

My biggest takeaway from this course is the understanding that movement is a profound language of the Self. This class was, in many ways, a crash course in personal discovery. I learned that what happens in the mind is reflected in the body — and vice versa. I’ve come to understand the importance of kinesthetic empathy, how movement can create connection, healing, and deeper understanding between people. I’ve learned to listen to my body more closely, trust my intuition, and recognize that I have agency over my mind, body, and path forward. Above all, I now see that every part of us — every experience — is part of a larger, unfolding journey. And when we live and move with awareness, we move closer to who we really are.

Throughout the learning process, I felt inspired, grounded, and completely alive. Every class offered something unexpected, and yet, every time I left feeling more present and whole. The check-in and closing circle rituals were grounding practices that I plan to carry into my daily life. This class regularly pushed me beyond my comfort zone — whether it was eye-contact exercises, performing the clowning skit, or leading a DMT session. Assignments like the Self-Portrait and Innermost Fantasy invited me into corners of myself I hadn’t yet explored — and their impacts continue to resonate. What made the learning experience so meaningful was the synchronicity I experienced — the lessons often aligned with things I was already contemplating or discovering in my personal life. It reaffirmed that I’m on the right path, and that embracing discomfort, vulnerability, and even failure is part of the learning and becoming process.

I study Innovation, Technology, and Design, with a minor in Computer Science. My vision is to build beautiful, human-centered technology that helps others reconnect with themselves. This course has added deeply to my internal toolkit — with practices, philosophies, and frameworks that will help me navigate both my personal growth and creative path. The insights from this class directly inform the kind of technology I want to build — tools that help people listen to their bodies, regulate their emotions, and cultivate self-awareness. I see this field not as separate from tech, but as a vital layer of it. The future of technology must honor the human spirit — or ki, understood as the vital life force that connects mind, body, and spirit to the world around us — and this course has helped me integrate that into everything I build.

This class reminded me that movement is not just something we do — it’s who we are. The wisdom of the body is always present, always accessible, if we take the time to listen. As I move forward into the next chapter of my journey, I carry with me not just new knowledge, but a deeper connection to my Self — and a renewed sense of purpose to build tools that help others do the same.

Trust and Connection through Movement Alone

Katie Jarvis

Coming into this DAN291 class, I didn’t really know what to expect. I figured we’d move around and learn some things about dance, but I didn’t realize how deep it would go and how much healing it would promote in me. Dance Movement Therapy turned out to be way more meaningful than I imagined as it really opened my eyes to how movement can be a form of healing, connection, and communication.

One of my biggest takeaways from this course was learning how powerful movement and dancing can be. Concepts that we learnt this semester like mirroring and attunement helped me understand how people can build trust and connection through movement alone. I also really liked learning about Marian Chase and Trudi Schoop and how they used dance to help people work through trauma or mental health challenges. All these activities that we did in class like the movement rituals and self-portrait assignment helped me to slow down and really check in with myself which is something that I don’t always do but will try to do more often now.

At first, the learning process felt a bit awkward, and it took me out of my comfort zone especially when we had to move in front of other people and make direct eye contact with each other. But, once I got more comfortable as the semester progressed, I started to enjoy it. It was nice to have a class that wasn’t just about sitting and taking notes for once. After a few classes, I felt more connected to myself and to the other people in the room which rarely happens in other classes.

This course made me think differently about how people interact with space and how movement can really reflect what someone is feeling. Next year I am going into interior design, and I really want to work on creating spaces that feel comforting and have a calming aspect to them. I want to create spaces that feel good to move through and not just pretty to look at.

Overall, this class was so much fun. I didn’t expect to feel so impacted by dancing and movement, but it changed how much I think about communication, connection and potentially interior design in the future. In the end, I’m grateful for the experience of this class and everything I’ve learned from it.

Open, Vulnerable, and Connected

Angela Cifone

Throughout this course, I’ve learned the importance of truly understanding and connecting with others on an emotional level. Taking the time to engage as a group and empathize with those around me has been a powerful experience. Dance has always been a part of my life, but this course helped me realize how deeply it can affect others in unique and meaningful ways. I’ve come to appreciate how essential it is to understand the mind, spirit, trauma, and emotions as apart of healing. This class has shown me that movement can be a tool for connection, expression, and growth—not just personally, but collectively.

During this course, I experienced a wide range of emotions. I began to understand how much we reveal about ourselves through the way we walk, speak, and move. It often felt like therapy—an opportunity to dive deeper into who I am and how I show up in the world. I learned the value of being present, of accepting where I am emotionally and mentally each day. Each class felt like a safe space, and it was incredible to witness how we all transformed—from being quiet and guarded at the beginning to open, vulnerable, and connected by the end. That growth created areal sense of ease and belonging for me.

There are so many takeaways from this course that I can apply to my future career in broadcast journalism. Most importantly, I’ve learned the importance of checking in with myself daily—being aware of my mental and emotional state so I can communicate more authentically and effectively. This self-awareness also helps me better understand and relate to the audience I serve. As a journalist, it's essential to be mindful of the emotions, struggles, and stories of the community I’m reporting on. The techniques and insights I’ve gained from this course will help me connect with viewers on a deeper level, making my storytelling more compassionate, informed, and impactful.

Jake Kulikowski

Over the course of the semester, I learned a lot of valuable lessons throughout our Dance Movement Therapy class. These lessons were not just something applicable to a class or in school, but also beneficial for life in general. A lot of these lessons are very helpful for maximizing the life that we live, making sure we are in a great spot mentally, learn to connect with others, and learn to help others. We were made aware of different strategies to combat different struggles that come about in life, as well as many of the root causes for lots of problems and symptoms that people experience in today's day and age. We learned that a lot of these problems stem from our cell phone and technology use as it disconnects us from the people right in front of and around us in everyday life. Without this engagement, we are left unfulfilled and empty, and lack the ability to connect and resonate with others as well. Also, some of these problems start as young as with newborns, as we learned that a lack of nurturing of newborns causes many problems down the road.

During the learning process of this course, I felt like I was really able to grasp the concepts being taught to us because of the style of teaching them. Rather than being lectured and having to take notes like many classes do, we interacted with and experienced the concepts first-hand, which really allowed for better comprehension and ability to apply this information. By participating in the activities , we were able to understand and actually feel the impacts that some of these methods of therapy had on us and would have on clients, and by acting it out it resonated much better. I felt like I have a much better understanding of myself and those around me, and will able to better take care of myself.

I will apply these takeaways to my particular field of studies, and life in general, in many ways. I am majoring in sport administration and minoring in entrepreneurship, and also play baseball, so much of my life and studies revolves around interaction with people. Therefore, it is important for me to know how to communicate effectively, help others, bring the best out of them, and more. Additionally, it is i portant for me to know how to be in the best me ntal state possible to perform at my best and live to the fullest. Finally, I plan on having kids and raising a family, so knowing the importance of this nurturing and interaction at a young age is very useful. Overall, I really enjoyed coming to class everyday and learned a lot not just applicable to this class but to all aspects of my life.

Using Dance to Form a Connection

Jules Davis

This course furthered my education on the therapeutic benefits of movement and has helped me understand how dance can be used for emotional expression, healing, and connection. Right from the start we explored how to use dance to form a connection using the Chacian Cirlce. Being able to connect with my peers this way changed how I viewed group movement and how emotions can be shared non-verbally.

I especially enjoyed the parts of the class when we were able to lead our own activities. Leading a group activity gave me a better understanding of how to apply dance therapy techniques in real time and how I might be able to use this as I continue to learn about psychology. I also liked learning about how improvisation can help people reconnect with their bodies.

Overall, this course helped me feel more connected to myself and others. It made me realize how meaningful it can be to create and communicate through movement, especially in therapeutic settings. DMT has been so interesting to learn about and contributed the passion I have for dance and psychology.

Sources

Lubner, Keith (n.d.). Six Ways to Evaluate Nonverbal Communication. https://salesgravy.com/six-ways-to-evaluate-non-verbal-communication/

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Dance Movement Therapy / Spring 2025

Final Reflection

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