Biodanza in the Promotion of Mental Health:

A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Biodanza is a therapeutic approach created by the Chilean Rolando Toro, recognized worldwide for contributing to highlighting the healthy aspects of individuals through integrative group experiences, using specific dances and music. Since 2017, this approach has been part of the catalog of Integrative and Complementary Practices (PICS) of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). In Brazil, there are currently 23 Schools for the Training of Biodanza Facilitators. The present study aims to understand and analyze, from a phenomenological point of view, how Biodanza contributes to the improvement of the mental health of students completing this training course. To this end, a qualitative phenomenological study was conducted, involving six participants from a Biodanza School in the state of Ceará, selected through the snowball sampling technique to provide insights regarding the meanings they derived from their experience with Biodanza. Through the analysis, significant learnings and transformations were identified, which were organized into two main Sense Categories: 1) Self-knowledge/Self-awareness and 2) Mental Health. Category 1 presented the following Meaning Units: Presence; Body awareness and self-perception; Perception and openness to others; Greater connection with nature; Connection with ancestry; and Proximity to spirituality. Category 2 highlighted the following Meaning Units: Autonomy and empowerment; Self-care; Self-acceptance; and Openness to experience and psychological flexibility. Based on these results, it was concluded that being in training and participating in Biodanza groups promoted internal transformations towards self-knowledge and the promotion of participants' mental health.