WHAT IS BIODANZA
Biodanza means dance of life. It's a system that integrates music, movement and authentic interactions to provide experiences of intense perception of being alive in the here-and-now. These experiences are known as “vivencias”, coined from the Spanish root: vivir (to live).
Vivencias are doors to access primal emotions and help movement emerge that is the most natural expression of your true self. Vivencias follow the organic movements of life—its biological rhythms, the pulse of the heart, and the impulse to connect with others.
Based on anthropological studies of dance and traditional rituals of the celebration of life, Biodanza:
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stimulates community
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awakens a consciousness for universal solidarity
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helps participants to recover their joy and vitality
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celebrates the sacredness of life.
An invitation to explore life with authentic simplicity and enhance your natural potentials to further your Emotional Health.
Biodanza was developed by Rolando Toro Araneda in the 60s and has evolved over time.
The practice of Biodanza happens through two-hour weekly classes and weekend workshops. The experience is mostly non-verbal, which opens participants’ communication and connection regardless of their socio-cultural background.
Creator of the Biodanza System
Rolando Toro Araneda
Born in Conception, Chile, on the 19th of April 1924.
He studies to be an elementary teacher at the Normal School “José Abelardo Nuñez”, in Santiago in 1943. He taught in Valparaiso, Talcahuano, Pocuro and Santiago (Chile) between 1944 and 1957.
In 1964 he graduates from the Psychology School of Pedagogical Institute of the University of Chile.
He becomes the chair of Psychology of Arts and Expressions at the Aesthetics Institute of the Catholic University of Chile, works as university teacher at the Medical Anthropology Centre in the Medicine School of the University of Chile, and conducts research on the Expression of the Unconscious and on the states of expansion of consciousness,.
Between 1968 and 1973 he starts his first experience with Biodanza (at that time called psicodanza). He applies this system in the Psychiatric Hospital of Santiago and in the Aesthetics Institute of Catholic University of Chile.
He publishes many poems and psychotherapy books. He also participates in painting exhibitions in Brasil and Italy.
Later, he lives in Chile, Argentina, Brasil and Italy. He dies in Santiago de Chile on February 16th 2010, at the age of 85.