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	Subject :Tango Therapy.. 2010-03-30 12:34:01
	gabilu Joined: 2010-03-29 18:06:40 Posts: 12 Location:  14  This article appeared at the Clarin News paper in Buenos Aires October 3 2009. El Tango para tratar la Esquizofrenia (Clarin - Arg) Tango to Cure Psychosis Those who suffer from schizophrenia can dance tango to heal themselves at Buenos Aires Borda Hospital.   Tango, inscribed in the Immaterial World Patrimony of UNESCO on Wednesday October 2009, makes Argentinean schizophrenic patients dance to the rhythm of bandoneon, in an original therapy launched at the biggest Psychiatric Hospital in Buenos Aires, the Borda.   "People decide themselves whether to participate in the workshop or not. They are not forced to do it ", explained Dr Guillermo Hönig, psychiatrist service chief at the Borda.    The great day is every two weeks. Psychologists go around the  Hospital corridors inviting the patients  Most of them are men who suffer from schizophrenia.    The regulars are already waiting, anxious to begin.     Gabriel, 34, has never missed a session. "I have danced tango for one year", he remarked smiling. "I had never danced before, but I like it. I go to classes often .”  Some shyer hospitalized patients are satisfied with looking at the class.    The tango shop at the hospital began in 2000. It was created by Silvana Perl, psychologist and coordinator of the program, and a passionate tango  fan.    The benefits of tango for those people who suffer from psychosis are multiple.    Perl explained that “Tango has a special feature: the hug. This allows for strong communication with the other“, pointing out that “hospitalized patients are isolated from within and cut off from the outside world. ”   During the class, the patients ’ eyes are directed to the professor's feet   when he or she teaches anew step.  Laughing  and clapping, the tangueros actively participate in the shop.    "Patients stop hallucinating as they concentrate in the class", the coordinator added. "Besides, they are also observed by others during the class: it is recognition through the look of others” . Doctors, nurses, psychology students and tourists participate regularly in the tango shops.    Sol Spandonari  a member  of the staff attends the shop regularly.    "It is the second time I come to the shop. I am learning together with them. We are at the same level here. I had never danced tango before", she explains. "I believe that being with the patients in a different situation can contribute to therapy. We appear as accessible human beings.  In the class we are no longer patient and doctors; we simply are people that are dancing because they want to dance."    After slowly approaching to the floor, Esteban, a patient, is convinced of participating in the class. When last musical note plays, he smiles and promises to return the next class.    "The tango shop gets the patients out of   monotony characteristic of their illness. They are all psychotics and the lack of vitality or will is a predominant feature . Then, to invite them to do something makes them move, it urges them to do something and when you do something you feel useful, and you feel well. It helps them reconnet”.  Sol Spandonari explains.  Can   tango cure  Schizophrenia? " psychosis can not  be healed", Silvana  Perl points out. "But there is the possibility  of becoming stable. ”   "Many foreigners come to dance in the tango shop at the hospital.  There is tango therapy  for psychotic patients   in Holland, Slovenia, United States and  Germany. Many  people came from overseas to see how we worked", the shop coordinator underlined.     Argentinean tango is also used to treat  Alzheimer ,and Parkinson and couples problems, according to the International  Therapy Therapists Association.   Many patients leave the hospital and go to the city to dance at  the Milongas away from the psychiatric walls of the hospital. IP Logged
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