Dance And Movement Therapy
Dance and Movement Therapy
Dance and Movement Therapy is a psycho therapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive and physical integration of the individual. DMT has wide application in different areas. The basic principle of dance and movement therapy revolves around creating awareness of mind and body and connecting them together through movements.
Movements play a big role in shaping the brain and using it for a purpose. The basic principle of dance and movement therapy revolves around creating awareness of mind and body and connecting them together through movements. Music is also an integral part of this discipline and the therapeutic effect of music on human mind is not unknown. Application of dance and movement therapy on children with Autism aims at addressing the following areas:
- Developing attention span
- Awareness of self and other bodies in the environment
- Orientation and coordination with other objects and bodies in the environment
- Synchronized rhythmic movements develop higher cognitive functions of the brain
- Developing social skills
- Communication ( with an emphasis on importance of non verbal communication)
- Developing gross and fine motor skills
Dr. Aditi Bandyopadhyay
Director of SAMYA DMT program
Dr. Aditi Bandyopadhyay, is a physician of medicine by profession,a medical faculty, with her parallel interest and identity as an Indian classical Odissi dancer and as a Dance and Movement therapy practitioner. She had training in intervention and management of Autism initially at Thompson Center for Autism in Columbia, Missouri, USA and has also pursued an academic program on Public Health at the University of Missouri, USA. Since then, and even after returning to India Dr. Aditi has been actively involved as an advocate for rights of persons with Autism and other neurodevelopmental delays. Dr. Aditi is presently a clinical faculty of West Bengal University of Health Sciences and is an MD in Medical Physiology.
Dr. Aditi is the founder trustee of SAMYA Foundation for Special Needs, catering to various needs of people with multiple disabilities. SAMYA Foundation is focusing on facilitated clinical services for people with special needs. Dr. Aditi has trained herself in different methodologies of intervention in special education, and has received certification in diagnostic and interventional methods of Autism from different acclaimed and accredited programs. Since 2015, her work with children with Autism and other developmental disabilities through dance and movement therapy at SAMYA has earned her immense recognition. Presently she is working with more than 150 children through this model of Dance and Movement Therapy. She also trains parents at SAMYA as a free community service regarding various interventions and management skills about raising children with disabilities.
Dr. Aditi is a medical faculty in the collaborative DMT program of Kolkata Sanved with the Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL) at TATA Institute of Social Sciences at Mumbai. For last four years she is a resource person conducting DMT workshops for faculty and students at IIM Kozikhode, Calcutta University and recently with Jadavpur University. She also delivers lectures and workshops at different CBSE schools and organizations that cater to special needs group and focuses on inclusion. Dr. Aditi has also been interviewed at different Doordarshan programs for general awareness of people about needs of people with special needsand how to train them through ‘Prasar Bhaarti’ programs on Doordarshan, regarding management and mainstreaming of people with special needs.
Dr. Aditi, who has more than 25 years of experience in Odissi as a performer, choreographer and instructor had run her own dance institution named Nrityaneer (2000-2007) and thereafter was one of the founder members of MU Dance and Recreation Association (MUDRA) at University of Missouri (2008- 2011). A disciple of legendary Guru Padmabibhushan Kelucharan Mahapatra, she has performed in various national and international dance festivals and her productions, ‘Ananta-the Infinite’, ‘SriKrishna Prem Gatha’ and’ Teen Katha ‘ have received recognition and praise by critics. Presently the Odissi dance troupe led by Dr. Aditi focuses on integration of people with disabilities along with regular neurotypicals.
A voice from our Trainers & Volunteers
 Ananya Jana
Lawyer, Odissi Dancer
It gives me immense pleasure to share my thoughts about SAMYA Foundation. I have been associated with SAMYA since past 3 to 4 years and in the journey I have actually seen desires been converted in to reality. SAMYA believes in “Empathy, not Sympathy” and hence advocates for equal rights and opportunities for the people with special needs. In SAMYA we work as a family, a big fat family, where everyone is welcomed and encouraged. I feel absolutely privileged to be a part of the organisation and have Aditi Di as our mentor. Samya is like a second home to all of us. My heartiest good wishes to SAMYA Foundation to continue reaching out to people who need them the most. keep up the good work.
Annmary Tom
Model, Digital Creator, Dancer
Often we tend to ignore a small change but a journey of thousand miles starts with a single step. One such step for me was joining SAMYA 3 years ago. I hav always loved to be around children and SAMYA has undoubtedly provided me the opportunity to be with them as a friend and sometimes as a guide. It is of immense pleasure to witness SAMYA spreading its wings under the prolific guidance of our beloved Aditi Maam. It is here that I hav learnt that with honesty and determination every goal is achievable.
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Priyanka Prasad
Diploma in DMT Trainee
Being a trainer at SAMYA for the past 4 years, working with children makes me happy and refreshes my mind and fills me with immense positive thoughts. I have realized that these children, adults and adolescence are beyond a neurotypicals intellect and hard work. At SAMYA our goal is to constantly increase their self-confidence and make them self sufficient so that they cane face any challenge that life throws at them Â
Angelus Amy Mondal
Graphic Designer, Calligraphy Artist, Odissi Dancer
Being closely involved with SAMYA, initially as a volunteer and then gradually as a trainer for the past 3 years has been such a joyful process of growth and learning. As SAMYA grew from 50 children to 150+ participants today, spread around the city it also grew as one bonded family, and to be a part of it is nothing but a constant reminder that there are joys in things big and small.
Solanki Datta Roy
Financial Advisor, Odissi Dancer
“Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn’t know you left open”
It was indeed a happiest journey for me with Samya for last 3 years.
I feel fortunate to get an opportunity working as a volunteer. Each and every day seems to be so delightedly great with all the special ones out there.
I would like to show my sincere gratitude and loads of love to everyone with whom I interacted during this short period of time.
Again I sincerely wish Team Samya and all the little ones out there to gain the strength & Courage to overcome all negativety in life & to spread happiness.
Sriyanka Mukherjee
Financial Analyst, Freelancer Anchor.
On my very first day at SAMYA I felt so warmly welcomed by everyone out there. Gradually I became a part of it and truly the environment is full of positivity and hope towards good, no matter how hard life is. We can always win a tremendously hard journey if we have the correct motivation, support and love…and that’s what I have learnt from all the children and trainers at SAMYA. Even during this hard time we all are connected with our children. It gives me immense happiness that I could be a part of their DMT journey. I am learning new things everyday from all our extremely talented kids.
Thanks to God for blessing me by giving a chance to volunteer here under the supervision of this beautiful positive soul – Aditi di.
All my love to SAMYA!
A voice from our Interns
Moupikta Mukherjee
PhD scholar
Indian School of Mines
IIT Dhanbad
Researching in the field of disability studies, I have tried to explore how art based interventions effectively helps in ensuring a holistic development for individuals with developmental and intellectual challenges. My experiences at SAMYA Trust was one of a journey where I was allowed to directly interact and participate with the members staffs and children availing the therapeutic module, an exposure rarely provided by any other organization. The hands on training I received helped me understand several aspects of Autism, which can only be learned from experiences and not from any material knowledge.
I also appreciate that SAMYA practices a goal specific approach, where the objectives and requisites are dealt with clarity and expertise.
The endeavor of SAMYA TRUST will definitely create new avenues in the healing modalities practiced in the field of disability services.
Rashmi Maruvada
Law student
Damodaram sanjeevaya national law university vishakapatnam
I am Rashmi Maruvada, a law student. I interned with SAMYA trust in the month of December 2018.
It was an amazing experience interning with this organization. I was there for a very short period but i liked it so much that i want to work again with SAMYA but this time for a longer period. Thank you SAMYA for giving me this amazing experience which was full of learning and fun.
