How dancing can help speed up emotional healing

Dapat-Sy created #WhiteShirtLove in 2014 to help women cope with postpartum depression.

“White Shirt Love,” the specialized dance class that dancer-choreographer Georcelle Dapat-Sy created in 2014 to cope with postpartum depression, was attended by the likes of Anne Curtis, Solenn Heussaff and Iza Calzado long before they even had babies of their own.

“I created it after I experienced postpartum depression [during my third pregnancy]. I know my body, so I always thought I could get back into shape right away. However, someone encouraged me to try injectables—this is a form of contraception—without really doing my research on it. Because the drug had something to do with balancing hormones, I grew big,” Georcelle, who is creative director of G-Force Dance Center, told Inquirer Entertainment over lunch recently.

“I said, ‘Wait! This is not good. Something has happened to me.’ This affected me a lot. I went to the States, where I attended a workshop. I had the opportunity to immerse myself in a lot of things considered attractive to women. When I came home, I created my own program. I called it #WhiteShirtLove because I love wearing the loose white shirts of my husband,” Georcelle recalled.

“I launched it in 2014 for that purpose: to empower women, especially for moms to feel desirable again. In the Philippines, when you are already a mom, you are expected to change how you behave and dress up. It’s like you no longer have any reason or right to feel sexy.” she added.

‘Missed opportunities’

The program proved to be so effective that it also piqued the interest of single women. “In 2017, [South Korean star] Sandara Park did it and it became widespread. Nadine Lustre rocked the Araneta Coliseum when she did it in 2018. A lot more—even if it’s not for a performance—have done it behind closed doors. Bela Padilla did it already as well as Donita Rose, Marjorie Barretto.”

When asked to describe what happened to her emotionally some 10 years ago, Georcelle said it had been a tough experience. “At the time, I thought I was cool, but in reality, I was so big. After you finally get out of your comfort zone, you realize that you’ve had a lot of missed opportunities. I felt that I wasn’t getting much work.

“It’s like that in the biz: when you get pregnant, ‘Sayang ka.’ At the time, I fell into that category: ‘Sayang siya.’ I realized that if you don’t take care of your body, you will be ‘sayang.’”

Georcelle added that when you are going through something difficult emotionally, it’s best to reach out to people you consider true friends. “This was what I did. In the process, they helped me regain my confidence. This also helped me create #WhiteShirtLove, and also decide what to do with my own body.”

Georcelle described the class as “therapeutic.” She added: This is especially made for people who are going through grief. I cannot disclose her identity, but we’ve had one celebrity who attended the class because she was healing.”

Georcelle Dapat-Sy is the creative director of G-Force Dance Center. —PHOTOS FROM GEORCELLE DAPAT-SY/ INSTAGRAM

Recovery time

Now that #WhiteShirtLove is celebrating its 10th year, Teacher Georcelle—as she is often called—said the program’s purpose has also changed. It would be interesting to note that it is the only class that she supervises exclusively.

“My movements are now different, so is the recovery time from body pains. Forty-something women like me are going through changes in their bodies. How can you be free with your movements if you’re experiencing challenges internally? That is what #WhiteShirtLove is for on its 10th anniversary. It will be addressing who you are today. Just like all my other projects, #WhiteShirtLove is growing and evolving because of my personal experience.”

She continued: “It is divided into three parts. The first is all about getting in touch with your femininity. I teach my students to look in front of the mirror and appreciate themselves. Believe it or not, I’ve had students who couldn’t do this. I always say, if you can’t really look at yourself, how will you make others look at you the way you want to be seen?”

The second part is all about the workout. It involves different disciplines like pilates, she said. “This is when I will make you use the chair, do planking, push ups, and all the toning exercises. There’s a challenge, but the workout is always doable,” she explained. “The third part is the dancing. I use it as a tool for the women to exude and express. This is the only class where I’m not too strict when it comes to choreography. What’s really important is that they express emotions.”

Teaching #WhiteShirtLove is now different for Georcelle because, “Now, my athleticism is already challenged. I now have a deeper understanding of women and aging. The program is going to address the needs of women who are 40 and above, like those experiencing premenopausal symptoms, something that seldom gets addressed.”

Attendees of this particular “healing” dance class are “groups of dancers who are also good friends,” Georcelle said. “Kiana Valenciano did this, too. Who would have thought? Since she comes from a conservative family. She did it with KC (Concepcion) and another friend. Kathryn (Bernardo) has done this also, and so did Dr. Vicki Belo.”

#WhiteShirtLove is open to “of-age women and women-at-heart,” Georcelle said. Workshops are scheduled on the following dates: May 11 and May 12. Incidentally, enrollment to the various programs of the G-Force Project 2024 is ongoing. The culminating dance performances will be on July 7 and July 28 at The Theater in Solaire.