ABOUT ASANTE
Asante originates from Africa as it is a group of significant people in Ghana and in the Swahili language means “Thank You.” Asante uses the expression “Thank You” to remind ourselves to be appreciative of our whole being through the healing process. The body self must be strong before we can see ourselves and relate in a larger sense, we can't deal very well with the environment until there is a secure sense of self as an anchor as one of the early pioneers’ of dance/movement therapy, Alma Hawkins, expressed in her framework. Dance has been important among many ethnic minorities for decades as a way to teach social patterns, values, help people work, mature, express an idea or emotion, release energy, and for celebrations. Through creative movement and verbal processing we offer a culturally responsive and safe space to attain your therapeutic goals and personal development.
WHAT IS DMT?
Dance/movement therapy uses the body as the foundation to express, cope and recognize movement patterns as a result to the individuals’ experiences. Memories that are stored in the body are released through movement as a means of communication and expression. Through movement there is a connection of body, mind and soul.
The American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) defines dance/movement therapy as the psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive and physical integration of the individual. To learn more about Dance/Movement Therapy visit the American Dance Therapy Association.
OUR SPECIALTIES
Inner-Child Healing
Complex Trauma
Body Image / Concerns
Family Therapy
Couples Therapy
Adolescents
Young Adults
Depression
Anxiety
PTSD
Abuse
Grief
ADHD
Adjustment
ASHANTI WOODS, M.S., BC-DMT, LCAT
Ashanti is a Board Certified-Dance/Movement Psychotherapist (BC-DMT), Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT), author, and founder of Asante Body Movement. She completed her Bachelor of Arts at Cleveland State University in psychology and dance and a Master’s degree in Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) at Sarah Lawrence College.
She was introduced to dance/movement therapy as an undergraduate student during a time of loss in her life. She noticed a shift in her approach to rehearsals and technique classes which eventually became a coping outlet. She has experience working with individuals and families, children and adults with or without physical and intellectual disabilities, elderly with Dementia and Alzheimer’s, as well as adolescents at high-risk. Her continued research interests are breaking down barriers and providing access to underrepresented communities.
