ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the embodiment of space in psychotherapy, related to issues of self and others. Space is a physical concept that usually refers to the three-dimensional geometric occupancy an object or a person can fill in. Although space usually is physical, there is also psychological space in the context of psychotherapy, spiritual space in Eastern philosophy, and social relations in all cultures. In dance/movement therapy, the physical spaces inside and outside the body are usually the entry points for dealing with issues related to the person and the person’s relationships with others and the world based on the premise of the interconnectedness of the mind and body. In a psychotherapeutic context, the awareness of space outside the body and its relationship to the self, with the consideration of culture, reveals patterns of personal boundaries and social relationships. The author describes how an individual can develop his or her own identity and healthy relationships with others, if appropriate space can be maintained.
