Rachael Singer

As a kid who felt out there just trying to fit in, Rachael Singer realized at a very young age that it was through movement she was able to express herself. Knowing this, she danced her way into the communities that supported her and helped her — quite literally – move through trauma.

We caught up with Rachael to learn more about her path to healing through dance therapy and how she now supports children, parents and healers in connecting to their own truths, movement and embodiment.

Healer Name ( = street you grew up on + birthstone): 

Amherst Emerald

Specialty:

Dance Movement

What is dance movement therapy and the benefits?

The American Dance Movement Therapy Association defines it as: the psychotherapeutic use of movement to further one’s individual emotional, social, physical and mental integration of one’s self. In other words, it’s using movement to express yourself, often guided by a dance movement therapist. Dance movement therapy is considered a holistic way of looking at our mind-body connection and how our bodies hold our stress and trauma. Sometimes we can’t get to the root cause through words, we have to go through the body through movement. Dance therapists meet the person or the group where they’re at. It’s not about teaching or following a curriculum. We help people feel seen, heard and accepted exactly as they are. There are a million benefits, including stress reduction, emotional regulation through your nervous system, helping you feel safe and calm in your body, and your way of being in the world.

Tell us about your path to healing through movement? 

As a kid I was always the child wearing a tutu and leggings and making up my own choreography. I went to dance classes from a young age, like jazz and hip-hop, and that was my community. There were so many traumatic moments in my life where dance was my safety community and my connection to something bigger than myself. Movement helps me remember I need to be in my body and connect to others who dance. In college, I got into yoga and dance, then found out about creative movement. I’ve never been the best verbal communicator, but movement is my way to fully express. By connecting to my body, I’ve been able to better communicate verbally.

How has your life been impacted by creative arts?

What would life be without it? To me, it’s my escape that’s helped me cope through difficult times in my life by expressing myself and finding and creating community.

What led you to start working with children (with and without neuro-differences)?

I was always drawn to children. As a kid, I didn’t fit in all the time. I was a little out there and was drawn to kids who might look a little different. When I was in college, I worked at a preschool and switched my major from theatre to child development. When I started working as a teacher’s assistant, the kids that had big tantrums or outbursts were also the kids I felt connected to — they were really intellectual and creative. If someone has a special need or disability, there’s something they have that we don’t and I’m always curious to know what that is.

Through your movement work, you help healers express their truth. What does it look like to express your truth?

It looks different for everybody. It’s getting to that core place in yourself where you’re able to see the critical parts of yourself, like judgment or doubt, and move them aside — not worrying about what other people think or you think. It’s about expressing what you truly feel in that moment.

What’s the best movement practice for a healer that wants to express themselves more?

Put on your favorite song that you just love and move your body in however way feels good for you. If you don’t know where to start, begin with what you do know, which might be listening to the song as you walk and moving your body in a different way, like skipping or swinging side to side. Music, as we know, is very powerful and music paired with movement produces all those feel-good endorphins.

What’s one truth you’d like to say out loud to the collective?

I came to this world to empower myself, and other sensitives, to bring your light and passions out for the benefit of all beings.

 Connect with Rachael @rachaelsmovinghearts