The theoretical part of my master’s thesis deals with four important areas: stress, body, activity and dance movement therapy. Precisely these are considered to be big individual areas that have many things in common. Physical movement of our body constantly evokes feelings that an individual is not always aware of. We encounter stress on a daily basis and consequently use different strategies to fight against its effects. Furthermore, at the same time, it is not possible to completely ignore the messages our bodies send due to the overwhelming stress. It is necessary to be aware of our feelings and needs in order to effectively manage stress. One of the less known, yet highly efficient strategies that deal with both body and movement, is the so called dance movement therapy.
In the empirical part of the thesis, the preparation and performance of 12 body movement therapies are described. A group of participants, consisting of six primary school teachers, took part in this project. The effects of body movement workshops were examined with an initial and final questionnaire, regular short evaluations of the meetings and with a group evaluation in the last meeting. The aims of the research part were as followed: to research whether adults use an activity as one of the methods to reduce stress, to prepare and perform preventive body movement method for an adult population, and to check the effects of the performed body movement method of work with the adults.
Based on the obtained and analysed data, we came to some conclusions. The participants of body movement workshops mostly use physical activities to reduce stress. They use other types of relaxation less frequently. The participants considered the meetings useful. The performed body movement activities helped them to overcome stress and they also found the activities useful not only for their profession but also for everyday life. The thesis raises the awareness and improves the perception of body stress identification. It represents some of the most known strategies for successfully tackling stress, and simultaneously offers a new body movement work method.
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