The Creation of Biodanza by Rolando Toro Araneda
Rolando Toro Araneda (1924-2010) started to develop Biodanza in the 1960s in Chile. He was inspired by seeing how patients in a psychiatric hospital became more alive when dancing, and how they became more motivated to take interest in themselves and life. It is now practiced throughout Europe, North & South America, South Africa, Australasia and Japan. Rolando was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with Biodanza in 2001. He was born in Chile and followed many careers including being a school teacher, psychologist, medical researcher, poet, artist, African art collector and anthropologist. These experience have all, in various ways, contributed to the development of Biodanza – his life’s work.
Rolando held many academic posts including Chair of Psychology of Expression at the Institute of Aesthetics of the Catholic University of Santiago, Chile. He has lived in many countries including Argentina, Brazil and Italy. In 1998 he returned to his native country of Chile until his death in 2010 at age of 86 – still dancing and travelling the world giving workshops until one week before his passing. A perfect example of the rejuvenating effect Biodanza has on those who attend regularly!