Publications
Dr. Hoffman's new book Connections and Parallels between the Development of Humanistic Psychology and Modern Dance at Jacob's Pillow was published in 2004 by The Edwin Mellen Press. Click here for more details.
The newest publication is the "Voice Dialogue in 2006: 19
Practioners," in the August/September issue of the Association of
Humanistic Psychology's quarterly magazine, The Perspective.
Additional publications:
Solstice
Sándor Ferenczi and the Origins of Humanistic
Psychology
Integrating dance/movement into a Voice Dialogue
session
Dreams - Your Special Gift
A Lifetime of Learning, A Passion for Service
Solstice
by Jessica Guarnaschelli
The Village Voice
Winter 1999
Click here for the complete article in printer-friendly format.
Winter solstice signals the return of light and serves as a universal metaphor for humanity's optimism in times of darkness. So the day before the solstice, I skipped Sunday mass at Saint Patrick's Cathedral to attend a celebration hosted by sprightly dance therapist Dassie Hoffman.
The five-hour ritual included Hoffman's combination of myth telling, ceremonial movement, and catharsis, rigorously exploring how archetypal images of Demeter, Persephone, and Hecate apply to female struggles today. Hoffman insists that "the event's primary purpose is to teach women about the solstice and the trinity of the triple goddess. It allows women to embody the teaching, not just hear it but take it into their body and learn from it physically and spiritually. I create a safe environment in which women find relevance in their own lives." Although Hoffman does not intend a therapeutic effect, she conducts the event much like a dance therapy session. "Trusting that participants are psychologically stable, you carefully select music, give clients very little instruction and let them move in a way that is meaningful to them. We will let them push it as far as they can, and serious issues may surface." She cautiously structures her sessions to allow self-revelation but avoid dangerous outcomes.
This event is for women only. An enthusiastic husband and wife were firmly rejected at the door. Hoffman emphasizes the need to keep it a women's event. "Had there been a male presence, many of the serious issues discussed wouldn't have surfaced." Amid altar worshiping, wildly emotional dance, and song, discussions grew intensely personal. Conversations touched on defiance of the established patriarchy (i.e., male bashing), midwifery, underwater births, abortion, divorce, and mother-daughter woes.
If you seek traditional worship, look elsewhere. At best, Hoffman's inclusive ceremony serves as a cultish party for Mount Olympus's most empowered goddesses.