ADD Dance
by Di Gardner
G'day guys
This technique is one I use for everybody and can be adapted to
anything. Particularly good for awkward situations that must be dealt with. I
learnt it from Don Blackerby and it is in his book "Rediscover The joy of
Learning".
On four pieces of paper write one word to describe the following or
use coloured pieces of paper to represent each one:
No1. Situations or contexts where they lose control, get angry or
exhibit the emotion. e.g home, office, school,hospital etc.
No2. The behaviour/emotion that they are BEGINNING or exhibiting
e.g anger, fear and the body action or a feeling that starts in a certain place
in their body.
No3. A state of calmness and/or control and/or peace and/or the
internal state which is wanted in place of the symptom. e.g a fun or peaceful
holiday or a special place they can be themselves.
No4. A state of feeling good about self and/or confidence.e.g a
time when they did something or achieved something on their own and felt really
good about it.
Place the four peices of paper on the floor in a straight line
about 1-2 feet between each piece of paper.
I'll use Zac as an example so it is easier to follow. Zac gets very
angry at his sister when she annoys him (I'm sure that's what sisters were born
to do) and gets caught and gets into trouble. She gets away with it!.
Starting at paper No3. and standing on it, I asked Zac to remember
a time when he felt really good about himself and in control. He chose a
holiday in Queensland where he visited a fun park and he loved every minute of
it. I asked him to describe it and have a gesture and sound that symbolized
that state. He raised both hands in the air and looked up and said "yea".
I then asked him to step onto paper No4. and tell me about a time
when he did or achieved something that he was really pleased about. It was
playing baseball. He hit a home run and not only that, the bases were all
loaded so he got 3 others home as well. I asked him to have a gesture and sound
that symbolized that state and he punched his fist in the air and said "yes!".
I asked him to step onto paper No2. Remember this is where they are
BEGINNING to exhibit the emotion. Be sure to BARELY let them get into the
state. I asked him to recognise the very first signal in his mind or body that
lets him know when he starts to feel angry. He said he can feel his fists
tightening.When I could see this happening I interrupted him and had him step
off the paper.
Now I asked him to step onto paper No1. and think of a time where
he would get angry. He said at home watching TV and if he got up, his sister
would jump into his chair and a fight would take place.
As soon as he got into the situation I asked him to step into paper
No2. and start the body gesture of angry. I jumped him off it quickly and onto
paper No3. and let him go into the feeling of the fun park and do the gesture
and "yea". (Allow them to stay there as long as they like to access the state
well.)
I then asked him to step onto paper No4. and feel good with the
fist in the air and "yes".
I had him repeat the process for other times and contexts where he
could become angry in the future.
Have them become aware that as they try this in more contexts, they
will have to move from paper to paper faster because the brain is streamlining
the strategy.
Make it a dance which incorporates the different body
position/gestures/sounds into a fluid dance flowing from one state to the next.
You can even get them to put it to music. (Zac's was rap)
When I put him into a situation that used to make him mad he found
it very hard to access the anger state.
I've used this technique for a friend who would crumble when she
had to go into her boss's office. The results were great. she fronted him with
confidence and it never worried her from then on.
Ron I'm sure you could adapt it to use for Michael. When I use it
for myself I just visualise the papers and do the gestures the same.
Di Gardner
dgardner@bigpond.net.au
Responses
From: Terry Marshall (terrymarshall@home.com)
Date: Wednesday, July 28, 1999 09:08 AM
Great one Di! I really like this and think it can be used in a
generative way also. For example think of a time when you don't have a problem
but just want it to be better...I'm going to use this for when I go to the
gym...(see the conference "change in body composition"), to automatically get
me into the state I want. It's not that I'm in an un-resourceful state when I
go but it could be better and now it will be!! Thanks again!
Author: Don A. Blackerby
Subject: ADD Dance
Hi everbody, Good job reporting Di. I would like to add that the
ADD Dance is useful for many of the ADD symptoms as well. I have used it on
impulsiveness, being distracted or lack of focus, and hyperactivity. Of course,
if you know EFT (emotional freedom technique), that works really well on all
those things as well. If you want more info on EFT, go to www.emofree.com.
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