Health · Mental Health · 2 days ago
Dance therapy workshops offer a way to support mental well-being
An association in Paris runs dance-therapy workshops that use movement and group activities to support well-being.
In one session, six people aged 19 to 69 took part in guided relaxation and danced freely to music.
The therapist, Lison le Magueresse, says the sessions are not about dance skill or performance.
She says movement can help people feel better physically and mentally, while the group can reduce isolation.
One participant, Sacha, said the workshop helped her build confidence and offered a way to express things that can be hard to put into words.
Another participant, Aurélie, said she came to take a break from everyday and work stress, although she does not consider herself ill.
The two-hour session cost 15 euros, and the association’s workshops are fully booked through the end of the year.
A franceinfo report on World Mental Health Day described a growing interest in art therapy, including workshops in painting, theatre and dance.
The report visited a dance-therapy workshop run by the association o2dansethérapie in Paris in early October.
The session had six participants aged 19 to 69 and used relaxation and free movement rather than dance technique or performance.
Therapist Lison le Magueresse said the workshops aim to support physical and psychological well-being and help participants build social connections.
Participant Sacha, 24, said the group setting felt welcoming and helped her express things that can be difficult to put into words.
A two-hour session cost Aurélie 15 euros, and the association's workshops were fully booked through the end of the year.
- Who
- The o2dansethérapie association, dance therapist Lison le Magueresse and workshop participants
- What
- A dance-therapy workshop focused on relaxation, movement and social connection
- When
- Early October 2026
- Where
- Paris, France
- Why
- To support well-being, ease daily stress, encourage self-expression and help people feel less isolated
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- Association
- o2dansethérapie
- Location
- Paris
- Participants
- Six people, aged 19 to 69
- Session cost and length
- 15 euros for two hours
- Workshop availability
- Fully booked through the end of 2026
What people are saying
On n'est pas dans de la performance, on est vraiment dans du mouvement.
Je trouve ça vraiment trop chouette de pouvoir être ensemble dans un cadre hyperbienveillant.
Ce n'est pas toujours évident, confie la jeune femme. J'ai un suivi avec un psychologue, plutôt verbal, mais parfois il y a des choses qui ne trouvent pas de mots.
Je n'ai pas de troubles et je ne suis pas malade particulièrement. Mais le stress de la vie quotidienne, le stress du travail, le stress des enfants... Juste se recentrer sur soi et penser à soi.
Sources
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