Abstract

This research aims to explore and describe the experiences of Biodanza practitioners, and to understand its possible benefits for health, from the phenological-existential perspective of Heidegger and Merleau-Ponty and the theory of Rolando Toro, the founder of Biodanza, an integrative practice that aims for organic renewal and re-learn affectivity. For the methodology, a semi-structured interview was chosen because the research was exploratory and qualitative. Ten participants, who practice Biodanza in Ribeirão Preto, were asked questions in order to understand the possible benefits that Biodanzar can bring to their lives and daily lives. As for the discussion of the results obtained, among the interviews accomplished with the research participants, benefits were found in relation to aspects: personal, focused more on perceptions of themselves; social, when focused on perceptions about their ways of being with others in the collective and, finally, aspects related to the connection of the Being with the totality. Based on the results revealed during the study, it can be concluded that Biodanza brings benefits to the well-being and mental health, perceived by participants during their experiences and in their daily lives, although, considering this as an exploratory study, it does not aim to be conclusive.