Bevin Reynolds was tired of speaking. Depression and bulimia continued to afflict her, even after spending years talking to a therapist. At the recommendation of a friend, Reynolds began attending dance classes. As she moved, she discovered a renewed ability to express herself. Something clicked. Rather than relying on conversation to get closer to well-being, her body could help her heal.
Over the years, mental health awareness has grown substantially. “There are so many ways of getting better,” Reynolds says. Every person is different, and there’s no single remedy. Some turn to painting, others to music and even running. Reynolds found a sense of fulfilment and meaning through dance. With movement, she can express every emotion, whether it’s frustration, sadness, or joy. “Your body’s releasing so many endorphins and all the feel-good hormones,” Reynolds says. “When I dance I’m liberated.”
To share this experience with others, she now works as a facilitator at Dance Awake. The Cape Town-based organisation encourages people to use conscious movement to connect with their inner selves. Here, there’s no structure to dance – it’s all about authentic expression. Everyone is able to approach the activity however they want, whether as exercise or as art. For Reynolds, dance is therapy. “Movement has been my freedom,” she says. In the face of personal challenges, we all need that one thing that puts us in touch with our feelings again.
