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Pan American experiences
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A voguing silhouette, defying ancestral shadows with liberating grace. Foto: Image generated with ChatGPT/AI.
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Body in MotionQueer Dance and Voguing as Pathways to Mental HealingBy Jazmin Agudelo for Ruta Pantera on 1/30/2026 1:20:55 PM |
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| In a world where stress and inherited emotional burdens weigh heavily on many people—especially within marginalized communities—the body emerges as an unexpected ally in the search for mental balance. Queer dance and voguing, practices born from cultural resistance, have evolved into therapeutic tools that allow individuals to reconnect with themselves. This is not merely about coordinated steps or intense rhythms, but about a deep process that releases accumulated tension, breaking cycles of silence and shame passed down from generation to generation. Supported by studies in body-centered psychotherapy, these approaches invite participants to express the ineffable through movement, fostering a form of healing that integrates mind and body.
Imagine someone who has grown up under the weight of rigid social expectations, where the expression of identity is suppressed by cultural norms. For many queer people, this is not a hypothetical scenario but a daily reality that generates invisible trauma. Queer dance, which challenges traditional gender roles, offers a safe space to explore these layers. By moving the body intentionally, neural mechanisms are activated that help process repressed emotions, similar to how mindful meditation alleviates anxiety. Research in movement therapy highlights how these practices improve self-esteem and reduce symptoms of depression, allowing individuals to reclaim their personal narratives. In this way, dance is not mere entertainment, but an act of liberation that transforms pain into empowerment. Queer Dance Queer dance emerges from historical contexts of exclusion, such as LGBTQ+ communities in the 1970s and 1980s, where dancing became a refuge from discrimination. Today, it has evolved into therapeutic forms that address specific traumas, such as the internalized shame associated with non-normative identities. In guided sessions, participants learn to move their bodies without judgment, incorporating elements of improvisation that foster authenticity. This conscious movement, inspired by practices like ecstatic dance, facilitates the release of endorphins and reduces levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with chronic stress. Mental health experts observe that by synchronizing breath and gesture, a state of flow is created that dissolves emotional barriers, allowing silenced memories to surface without the burden of verbal language. |
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A key aspect is how queer dance addresses “inherited silences”—patterns of repression transmitted through family or culture. For example, in cultures where sexual diversity is hidden, dance becomes a way to break with those legacies. Participants report a stronger connection to their bodies, counteracting the dissociation common in trauma. Unlike traditional talk-based therapies, here the body speaks first: a hip turn can symbolize the rejection of shame, while a group embrace within a choreography reinforces a sense of community. This holistic integration not only alleviates immediate symptoms such as anxiety, but also builds long-term resilience, helping to prevent relapses into emotional distress.
Moreover, performance elevates queer dance to a therapeutic-artistic level. Performing in front of others practices controlled vulnerability, gradually eroding accumulated shame. Studies in somatic psychology indicate that these creative expressions activate brain areas related to empathy and self-acceptance, similar to the effects of art therapy. In group settings, such as community workshops, a non-verbal dialogue emerges that connects shared experiences, transforming isolation into solidarity. In this way, dance not only heals the individual, but also strengthens social bonds, offering a model of collective well-being in times of polarization. Therapeutic Voguing Voguing, which originated in New York’s ballroom scene during the 1980s, is a dance style that imitates fashion poses and celebrity imagery, infused with a strong undercurrent of queer empowerment. In its therapeutic version, voguing is adapted to address trauma, incorporating elements of conscious movement that help release physical and emotional tension. By “voguing,” participants channel energy through categories such as runway or dip—movements that symbolize confidence and defiance. This practice is particularly effective in dissolving inherited shame related to gender identity or sexual orientation, allowing for a bodily rewriting of oppressive narratives. In therapeutic voguing sessions, somatic awareness is emphasized: paying close attention to how the body responds to rhythm helps identify and release emotional blockages. Trained therapists guide the process, integrating breathing techniques to anchor participants in the present and prevent traumatic flashbacks. Research in dance/movement therapy (DMT) shows that these approaches improve emotional regulation, especially among survivors of violence or discrimination. Voguing not only strengthens the body—enhancing coordination and flexibility—but also reconstructs self-image, transforming vulnerability into strength. For many, it becomes an antidote to the silence imposed by heteronormative societies, turning dance into a silent yet powerful cry of affirmation. The combination of performance and conscious movement amplifies voguing’s impact. By participating in simulated therapeutic “balls,” individuals practice resilience in the face of judgment, gradually eroding internalized shame. This method is inclusive, adaptable to different ages and abilities, and has expanded into community programs that address intergenerational trauma, such as that inherited from forced migrations or family rejection. At the end of a session, participants often describe a sense of lightness, as if invisible weights had been released. This transformation is not magical, but scientific: repetitive movement rewires neural patterns, fostering a more adaptable and serene mind. Queer dance, therapeutic voguing, performance, and conscious movement represent a paradigm shift in mental well-being. By prioritizing the body as a vehicle for healing, these practices offer accessible tools to release trauma, shame, and inherited silence. They require no sophisticated equipment—only a willingness to move. In an era where mental health is a global priority, integrating these approaches could democratize therapy, making liberation as natural as a dance step. For those who experience them, the result is clear: a more integrated self, free from the chains of the past. |
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References: American Dance Therapy Association. (2016). Danza/Movimiento Terapia: Una modalidad curativa para mujeres que han sido sujeto de violencia. https://www.adta.org/assets/docs/DMT-A-Healing-Modality-for-Women-Who-Have-Been-Subjected-to-Violence-Spanish.pdf Gray, A. E. (2020). Danza/Terapia de Movimiento y Sobrevivientes de la Tortura. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uviQ596ygBI van der Kolk, B. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking. Rhodes, A. M., Spinazzola, J., & van der Kolk, B. (2016). Yoga for adult women with chronic PTSD: A long-term follow-up study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 22(3), 189-196. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2014.0407 Emerson, D., & Hopper, E. (2011). Overcoming trauma through yoga: Reclaiming your body. North Atlantic Books. Levine, P. A. (2010). In an unspoken voice: How the body releases trauma and restores goodness. North Atlantic Books. |
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