Big news for the UK Satir Institute: In the 4th Volume of the International Satir Journal, an article on the Stance-Dance was published (link to the full article here)
There we looked into the application of the Virginia Satir stress-stances and the flow-stances as part of the Stance-Dance: Integrative Movement Therapy.
5 Stance-Dances:
1.Blamer – Peaceful Warrior
Stress: A blaming stance or ‘Blamer’ is a stance when a person takes a position of blaming someone or something else, without taking responsibility for themselves. The underlying need is to be protected, safe and respected. Physically this stance would be represented by a person pointing a finger with a stretched arm leaning forward on one front leg. Front leg is one and a half shoulders’ lengths apart and slightly bent. Back hand is on a waist. The feeling in this position is not balanced and strain on the shoulders.
Flow: Peaceful Warrior is an anti-dote to the Blamer. It is a position that is driven by the need of protection and safety, similarly to ‘Blamer’, but more congruent. Physically, the stretched arm goes up above the head, with a palm open, tip of fingers facing up. Looking above, the position quickly turns to be more resourceful and peaceful albeit strong and energetic.
2. Placator – Power Tree
Stress: Placating stance or ‘Placator’ is a stance when a person takes a position of a victim and takes full responsibility onto themselves. The underlying need is for love & care as well as strength & stability. Physically this stance would be represented by a person bending one knee and putting it on the ground. Looking from down up, making a begging sign with their hands, as though asking for forgiveness. Upper body and head slightly bent on one side, palms are open facing up. A position is not comfortable and strain on one side of the body, which is bent.
Flow: Power Tree is an anti-dote to the Placator stance. It is a position that helps create balance and brings stability and strength to the body. Physically it would be represented by standing up from a placating stance and raising both straight arms above the head. Feet: shoulders’ width apart. Head: looking straight with a light smile. For an advanced position, one can bend one leg and put a foot on the inner thigh of the other leg.
3. Super-Reasonable – Humble Monk
Stress: Super-Reasonable stance or ‘Computer’ is a stance when a person hides real emotions behind logic and facts. A ‘Computer’ generally prefers to use a monologue or a critique when under stress. The underlying need is for understanding and wisdom as well as for being in peace. Physically that is represented by folded arms and one arm’s pointy finger touching a cheek, or a finger pointing towards the ceiling. The body weight is on one leg creating an unbalanced position for the body.
Flow: Humble Monk is an anti-dote to Super-Reasonable stance. The body becomes straight and palms touch on the heart’s level in a ‘Namaste’ sign. Head: facing straight with a slight smile.
4. Distractor – Core Harmonizer
Stress: Distracting stance is a position when a person doesn’t want to face a tough reality and prefers to deviates to a different topic and hides the feelings behind other agenda. A person generally brings humour or skips difficult subjects, even adds chaos, in order to create emotional stability and harmony without initiating a conflict. Physically that would be represented by a person moving arms in front of other people’s faces to distract their attention. Slightly bent on one side and looking from down up laughing.
Flow: Core Harmonizer is the anti-dote to a distracting stance. It is a stable and harmonious position that helps a person feel courage and peace with a tough reality around them. Physically arms relax, palms open up, body strengthens and finds its core (similar to a Tai Chi neutral position) with slightly bent knees and straight spine.
5. Withdrawer – World Hugger
Stress: Withdrawing stance or ‘Withdrawer’ is a stance when a person moves away from discussing a difficult situation and stops talking, ‘shuts down’ from external reality. The underlying need for this stance is trust, openness and touch, the very things a person moves away from, which is counter-intuitive. Physically this stance is represented by folded arms and turning away from the other person.
Flow: World Hugger is an anti-dote to the withdrawing stance. Instead of moving away, the ‘World Hugger’ moves in and opens the arms as though they want to hug the whole world. It is a resourceful stance of hugging is considered to be connected to a ‘hug’ hormone, oxytocin.