Dance Therapy Master Workshop in Spain

17 Apr

May 10, 13:30-15:30. Málaga, Spain

Led by Marcia Plevin & Joan Wittig

Presented by Third Place & Inspirees Institute

Join internationally renowned dance therapists and master teachers Joan Wittig and Marcia Plevin for a unique two-hour experiential workshop in Málaga.

Both Joan and Marcia are highly respected for their contributions to dance therapy and their deep expertise in Authentic Movement, bringing decades of teaching, practice, and international experience to this special event.

This session offers a taste of dance therapy—an introduction to the expressive, creative, and healing potential of movement. Through guided exercises, music, and mindful exploration, participants will be invited to reconnect with their bodies, emotions, and inner rhythms in a supportive and inspiring environment.

Rather than a full therapeutic process or group therapy session, this workshop is designed as an accessible entry point. It provides a glimpse into how dance therapy can foster self-awareness, release tension, and support emotional well-being—without requiring prior dance experience or therapeutic background.

Basic Concept of Dance Therapy

Dance therapy (also known as Dance Movement Therapy) is based on the understanding that body and mind are deeply interconnected. Movement becomes a language through which we can explore feelings, patterns, and inner experiences that may not easily be put into words.

In this workshop, participants will be introduced to:

The relationship between movement, emotions, and awareness
How spontaneous movement can reveal inner states
The use of the body as a resource for grounding, expression, and insight
Principles inspired by Authentic Movement, including witnessing and inner listening

Improvisation is a central element—inviting each participant to explore their own authentic movement rather than following set choreography.

What to Expect

Guided improvisation exercises exploring personal and relational movement
A strong emphasis on spontaneous expression and inner listening
Simple frameworks drawn from dance therapy and Authentic Movement
Opportunities for both individual exploration and gentle group connection
A supportive, respectful space for embodied experience
A non-therapeutic setting focused on exploration rather than clinical processing

Whether you are curious about dance therapy, seeking a meaningful embodied experience, or simply looking to reconnect with yourself through movement, this workshop offers a rich and inspiring introduction. No dance experience required—just openness and curiosity.

Registration

Workshop fee: 20 euro (before April 26), 25 euro (after April 26), 30 euro (register online on May 10)

Contact: info@inspirees.com

Facilitator bio

Joan Wittig, BC-DMT

Prominent figure in the field of Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) with over 30 years of clinical and academic experience.
Key Highlights: Academic Leadership: She is the co-founder and former Chairperson of the Graduate Dance/Movement Therapy program at Pratt Institute in New York.
International Influence: Wittig is a pioneer in bringing DMT to Asia, serving as the Program Director for the first professional DMT training program in China through the Inspirees Institute.
Clinical Expertise: She spent 16 years with the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, including seven years as the Director of Creative Arts Therapy at Woodhull Medical Center.
Advocacy: She played a crucial role in the legislative process for the licensure of Creative Arts Therapists in New York State.
Recognition: She is a recipient of the Outstanding Service Award from the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York Art Therapy Association.
She currently maintains a private practice in New York City and continues to teach and supervise internationally, specializing in Authentic Movement and trauma-informed care.

Marcia Plevin, BC-DMT

American-born dance movement therapist, psychologist, and choreographer based in Rome, Italy. A pioneering figure in the international DMT community, she is the co-founder of the García-Plevin Creative Movement Method, which is now a core discipline at the National Academy of Dance in Rome.
With over 40 years of experience, Marcia is a Board-Certified Dance Movement Therapist (BC-DMT) and a senior teacher of the Discipline of Authentic Movement, having studied directly under Janet Adler. Her clinical expertise is vast, notably serving for 20 years in the pediatric oncology unit at the Vatican’s Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, and working extensively in substance abuse recovery and adult psychiatry.
A prolific educator and author, she is a senior faculty member at Art Therapy Italiana and a lead trainer for the Inspirees Institute in China. She has authored seminal texts, including Creative Movement and Dance, and her research frequently explores the intersections of somatic practice, psychology, and quantum physics.