Dance Therapy and Depth Psychology: The Moving Imagination [Paperback]

Joan Chodorow (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415041139 | ISBN-13: 978-0415041133 | Publication Date: January 24, 1991 | Edition: 1

Dance/movement as active imagination was originated by Jung in 1916. Developed in the 1960s by dance therapy pioneer Mary Whitehouse, it is today both an approach to dance therapy as well as a form of active imagination in analysis. In her delightful book Joan Chodorow provides an introduction to the origins, theory and practice of dance/movement as active imagination.
Beginning with her own story the author shows how dance/ movement is of value to psychotherapy. An historical overview of Jung's basic concepts is given as well as the most recent depth psychological synthesis of affect theory based on the work of Sylvan Tomkins, Louis Stewart, and others. Finally in discussing the use of dance/movement as active imagination in practice, the movement themes that emerge and the non-verbal expressive aspects of the therapaeutic relationship are described.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Clearly written, rich with information . . . a beautiful and important work.
–Dr. Nisha Zenoff, 1991

What a marvelous adventure to read Joan Chodorow's book. I have no words to describe the love and joy that engulfed me as I read it. It is so interesting, tremendous! Joan Chodorow speaks and dances the Jungian thought; the Jungian genius becomes embodied in her work. A wonderful book.
–Trudi Schoop, 1990

Joan Chodorow has provided an excellent account of the origins and development of dance/movement as a form of active imagination. She affirms the role of the unconscious in its personal, cultural and archetypal forms. She has made a real contribution to the field, both in respect to dance therapy and to analytical psychology. The result is outstanding.
–Dr. Joseph L. Henderson, 1990

Dance Therapy and Depth Psychology is quickly becoming a major book for the arts therapies community. . . . Chodorow proves that the therapeutic relationship is the vital container for powerful experiences of emotional joy and pain encountered in therapy as self-exploration.
–Times Higher Education Supplement, March 1991

For anyone working with imagination, creative expression, dreams, sand play, dance or the body--as psychotherapist, teacher or practitioner--there is much to learn from Joan Chodorow's new book. . . . Just as the ballet has its cast of stars, Chodorow has combined the works of several outstanding theorists to create an integrated and moving masterpiece. Just as one can go to an opera, concert or ballet several times and discover something new each time, this book is worth re-reading.
–Dr. Phyllis Vosbeck

About the Author

Joan Chodorow Ph.D. is an analyst member of the C. G. Jung Institute of San Fransisco, in private practice. Her early background uncludes dance studies and performing and teaching experience. Her dance therapy training was with Trudi Schoop and Mary Whitehouse. She is a registered dance therapist and former President of the American Dance Therapy Association.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (January 24, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415041139
• ISBN-13: 978-0415041133
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,873 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction to the theory behind dance therapy, May 7, 2004

By 

P. Lozar "plozar" (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dance Therapy and Depth Psychology: The Moving Imagination (Paperback)

This book isn't an easy read: the autobiographical first section is straightforward and engaging; however, in the second section, when she outlines the theoretical background and underpinnings of her method, it becomes rather heavy going. (The book was based on her dissertation, and it shows here. At least the chapters are fairly concise, but, if you start getting bogged down in this section, skip to the last 4 chapters.) However, in the final section, everything comes together and makes sense: the discussion of the various "movement themes," what they signify, and where they originate in the mover's psyche, is clear, understandable, and applicable in practice. For the reader with an academic background in psychology, this is a good introduction to the subject of dance therapy; if you come to the book from a dance perspective, it will increase your understanding of why certain movements are powerfully evocative, and perhaps give you some insight into what your own dance style expresses.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Tough going but worth it, August 28, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Dance Therapy and Depth Psychology: The Moving Imagination (Paperback)

Ms. Chodorow does an excellent job of introducing and summarizing Carl Jung's concept of "active imagination" and its importance in becoming an "individuated" person. I'm currently bogged down in the middle of the book, though, due to the Jungian-ness of it all. (I've never found Jung's terminology to be straight forward or easily understandable...maybe it's just me.) I've jumped ahead and read other portions that seem more practical and have given me a much better idea of what the field is about. This would be a good textbook for a dance therapy program, but as a dancer, I sometimes felt it was too much up in the head (too intellectual) and not enough in the body

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the effort, August 8, 2001

By 

Marilyn Geist (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dance Therapy and Depth Psychology: The Moving Imagination (Paperback)

Joan Chodorow has done a masterful job of bringing together Jung's work on active imagination in a book that ranges from the extremely dense material typical of Jung to the very practical and "moving." I found myself dipping in and out rather than trying to absorb it straight through.