The Healing Power of Embodied Expression

Rynders’ journey began with a lifelong connection between dance and healing. Navigating a challenging childhood, she found solace and refuge in the dance studio, a space where she could process emotions and find strength. This understanding deepened when her sister experienced a profound loss of speech following a battle with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, a rare neurological condition. Rynders instinctively turned to dance as a means of connection, a non-verbal language that transcended the limitations of words.

However, it was a personal health crisis that fundamentally shifted Rynders’ perspective. During an ectopic pregnancy, the compassionate care she received from a nurse – a simple hand to hold, words of genuine support – revealed a critical truth: the importance of allowing oneself to *receive* care. “I remember softening into my nurse’s hand and feeling so grateful that she remembered my heart, and remembered me as a person,” Rynders recalls. “I learned something by letting myself receive care, and I wanted to share that.” This realization fueled her desire to extend that experience to her colleagues.

Founding The Art and Heart of Healthcare Institute

In 2017, Rynders established The Art and Heart of Healthcare Institute, dedicated to combating burnout, compassion fatigue, and isolation within the healthcare community. The Institute’s core philosophy recognizes that nurses are often conditioned to prioritize giving, leading to a sense of shame or guilt when attempting to address their own needs. “Nurses are taught to just give and give, and receiving can often feel like shame,” Rynders explains. “So much of our identity and worth is tied up in our work. It’s hard to untangle that.”

The Institute’s flagship program, the (Re)Brilliancy workshop – a playful take on “resiliency” – is designed to help healthcare professionals reconnect with their inherent worth and rediscover their inner strength. Rynders travels across the country, facilitating these workshops in hospitals and healthcare facilities. Each session begins with a gesture of care: Rynders personally washes the hands of each participant, creating a safe and honored space. The workshops then unfold through a series of creative exercises, including music creation, poetry writing, and an improv-based dance performance, often culminating in spontaneous, joyful dance-offs.

Central to the (Re)Brilliancy experience is an excerpt from Rynders’ solo dance work, A Nurse is Calling. Inspired by her experiences in the emergency room, the piece explores the complex emotions surrounding the “healthcare hero” narrative. One particularly poignant scene depicts Rynders as a lone boxer, battling an unseen opponent, illustrating the isolation and pressure that often accompany the role. The work also delves into Rynders’ personal losses – the deaths of her mother and brother – creating a space for participants to share their own stories and vulnerabilities.

But why dance? Rynders explains that movement offers a unique pathway to healing, bypassing the cognitive processes that often hinder self-care. “They’re receiving through their body, so their minds don’t have time to stop it yet,” she says. Jessica Brooks, a registered nurse from Fresno, California, attests to this transformative power. “We’re trained to think things through the nursing process, and we’re constantly analyzing, so we get kind of disembodied,” Brooks shares. “Dance provided a way to help us tune into ourselves again.”

The impact of the (Re)Brilliancy workshops is supported by data. A two-year study conducted in partnership with Kaiser Permanente, involving 600 nurses, revealed significant decreases in self-reported rates of burnout, secondary traumatic stress, negative self-judgment, and loneliness, alongside a marked increase in self-kindness. Kaiser Permanente has long been a leader in employee wellness programs.

Rynders’ work extends beyond the healthcare sector, encompassing collaborations with creatives, dance educators, K–12 teachers, and LGBTQIA+ youth. She believes the principles of embodied awareness and self-compassion are universally applicable. What happens when healthcare professionals rediscover their own brilliance? How might this ripple effect transform the quality of care they provide?

The potential for positive change is immense. As Rynders emphasizes, “This work, at the end of the day, is for everyone.” The World Health Organization recognizes the critical role of supporting healthcare workers’ mental health.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dance and Healthcare Burnout

• What is the (Re)Brilliancy workshop designed to achieve? The (Re)Brilliancy workshop aims to help healthcare professionals reconnect with their inherent worth, rediscover their joy, and build resilience against burnout.
• How does dance specifically help combat burnout in nurses? Dance bypasses cognitive processes, allowing participants to experience self-care through embodied expression, fostering a sense of release and connection.
• What kind of results have been observed after participating in (Re)Brilliancy workshops? Studies have shown significant decreases in burnout, secondary traumatic stress, negative self-judgment, and loneliness, along with increased self-kindness among participants.
• Is this program only for nurses? While initially focused on nurses, the principles and practices of The Art and Heart of Healthcare Institute are applicable to anyone in a demanding profession or facing personal challenges.
• What is the significance of Rynders washing participants’ hands at the beginning of the workshop? This gesture is intended to create a safe, honored, and cared-for atmosphere, signaling a shift from giving care to receiving it.
• How does A Nurse is Calling contribute to the workshop experience? The dance work provides a powerful and relatable narrative that explores the complexities of being a healthcare professional, prompting vulnerability and shared storytelling.