Group Dynamics SPACE

1. Group DynamicsSPACE Intensive Program Zürich August 2012 Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

2. Agenda • Theory (Space - Rudolph Laban) • Practical exercises (YOU in focus) • Reflexions (ownexperiences - widerperspective) • Group work (relate to PMT in your country) This workshop will give inspiration for furtherabsorption Body – Perception - Action Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

3. Aboutgroupdynamics • exploringdynamic processes and conditionswhich is basis for the rise of social groups, theirchanges, theirdevelopement etc.(Lewin - 1930´s) • alwayschanging – many factors • Any group is like a puzzle – everyonecontribute to the group and canaffect the group • Each individuel candevelope by beeing a part of a group – finding new ressources in oneself Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

4. Whytalkingaboutgroupdynamics inPsychomotorTherapy • In PMT teachinggroups is a major factor • Everyteachinglessonincludes a network of roles, relations, hierakies and expectations • Group teachingcan start physical, psysical and social processes (Body Awareness) – importantthat the PMT is aware of this (avoidunappropiateconsequences and stimulateappropriateconsequenses) • Observations of the partipants can give insightthatusecanusedeliberate in yourdidactics – and helpdeveloping social competences in eachparticipant • Manydifferentgroups of people– differentgoals with the PMT Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

5. General observations of dynamicprocesses – PMT • Body language • How do the participants relate to eachother • How is the atmosphere – the emotionel foundation • How is the group in general • Reserved / introvert • Openminded • Angry • Superficial • Doesanyone ”speak” to anyone or is their small groups(cliques) Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

6. Whathappenshere? Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark 6

7. Rudolph Laban Man move in order to satisfy a need (Laban) • Born in Bratislava, Hungary 1879 • Understand how man expresseshimself (thoughts, feelings, needs) • Everyone has his/hers graceful naturalmovement but this is often ”destroyed” by everydaylife ( childhoodetc) • Notation system - observations of dancersmovement – finding mans potential and develope mans expression • BESS concept – a system to observe patterns/habits in mans movement Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

8. Laban and Psychomotricity Man has a choiceof movement and wecanchangeor adaptourmovementbehaviourat will (Newlove) The first step is to learnhow to becomeaware (Salter) Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

9. BESS concept - observations Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

10. SPACE - by Laban WHERE arewegoing in space (not a vacuum) HOW arewegoing WHAT kind of movementenergy Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

11. Personal space • The kinesphere • The spacewithinreachof the body • Dimensional cross • Movementcanbe done in: • Levels: low, middle, high • Plans: vertical, sagital, horisontal • Zones: closest, middle, outer Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

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13. General space • The general spacesurroundingyourpersonalspace • You bring yourpersonalspacewith you in the general space • The wayyoumove in the general space is depending on bothphysicalanspsycicalaspects – youmove to satisfy a need Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

14. ? How canweusethe theory of SPACE in PMT ? Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

15. SPACE and Body Awareness Awareness of SPACE helpsdeveloping: • Body awareness • Physical,psychical and social kompetences • Authenticity • Bodilysecurity & selfasteem • Secure relations • A suitablebehaviour in a proffessionthatincludecontact with otherpeople (fx PMT) Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

16. Observations of SPACE due to dynamic processes - PMT • How is the movement in the general space (the roomwhere the teaching is) • For the group? • For eachindividual? • How is the movement in the personalspace (levels, zones, plans,dimensions) • For the group? • For eachindividual? Be aware of interpretations/conclusions ! • What is the goal(s) of the lesson? • What to do? Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

17. Didactics Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

18. The method • Through bodyexercises in psychomotortherapyyoucanaffect mans use of space (games, freemovement, strecthing, exercises in pairs etc.) • Doingsomethingelsewillawake the participant and bring curiosity • Building a safe frame willencouragethe individual to work with challengingstuff • Alwaysrememberthat the first step is to becomeaware (throughbodilyexperiences) Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

19. Affecting the groupdynamics • Useyour observations to affect the groupdynamicsby startingexerciseswhichgoes in anotherdirection – Examples: • A splittedgroup – unifyingmovementexercises • A reservedgroup – exercisesthat open up /icebreakers • An angrygroup – exercisesthatstimulate the heart/ loyality • A Group thatis afraid of confrontations – confrontingexercises • A groupwhichmembersonlymove in theirpersonalspaces – exercisesthatfocus on the general space • A groupwhichmembers have a bad contact with themselves and focus on everyoneelse – exercisesthatfocus on the personalspace • What more ???? Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

20. Whathappenshere? Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

21. Whathappenshere? Whatcouldbe the aim, by doingthis? Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

22. The professional role • Be aware of how you as a PMT use Space whileyouareteachinggroups (clients) WHY? HOW? Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

23. References • Laban, Rudolf (1980); The Mastery of Movement (4. ed.)Ullmann Lise (Red.), Macdonald and Evans • Newlove, Jean (1993), Laban for Actors and Dancers– Putting Laban´sMovementTheoryintoPractice, Routledge • Newlove, Jean & Dalby, John (2004), Laban for all, Routledgde • Salter,Edwin Alan (2005): MovingWell: Laban movementTherapyIn Action (This articlewasoriginallypublished in Positive Health PH Online Issue 107 - January 2005: www.positivehealth.com/article/movement/moving-well-laban-movement-therapy-in-action) • Furtherquestions:mafl@viauc.dk Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

24. Whathappensifyou touch the snail? Manja Flammild, Studies of Relaxation and Psychomotor Therapy, VIA University College, Denmark

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