We are born movers and dancers. As children we moved and danced in order to learn and we did that through playing. At some point while we were growing up we forgot all about movement, dance and play. Some people may have been able to maintain that quality of freedom in movement, but I certainly did not.
I have recently discovered the power of dancing, and how I can heal physically, mentally and emotionally through dance. I have not scratched the surface yet on how powerful movement and dance can be, I’m learning as I go, and I’m hoping to take few more people on this journey of movement and dance. I love sharing what I find interesting and insightful, hope you find what I’m sharing interesting too 🙂
“Somewhere deep inside each of us is the child who was innocent and free and who knew that the gift of life was the gift of joy. Young children are generally open to feelings of joy. They are known to jump for joy, literally. Young animals do the same, kicking up their heels and running about in a joyful abandon to life. It is very rare to see a mature or older person feel and act that way. Dancing may be the closest they come to it, which is why dancing is the most natural activity at joyful occasions.”
Lowen, Alexander (1995-12-01). Joy: The Surrender to the Body and to Life.
“There is vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium, and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is; nor how valuable it is; nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.”
Martha Graham.
Listen.
The body is not a battleground, as some people would like you to believe.
The body knows peace; peace, after all, is the body’s natural state.
Think of the body in repose, the way muscles loosen, breath opens up; think of the body |in love.
It knows what to do. It is our mind that does not. It is our mind that makes us feel separate, isolated, it is our mind that dreams up war.
The body says no, come back to me, I am fragile and strong and I connect you to your brothers and sisters.
I connect you to the earth.
Come back to the heartbeat, the pulse, the rhythm we all walk to, regardless of nation or color. Come back to the breath—inhale, take the world deep into your lungs; exhale, give yourself back fully. This is what the body says: release the peace that lives within your skin.
Gayle Brandeis “A Body Politic of Peace.”
One-Hand Dance
With or without music, invite the dance of one hand.
For ten seconds each:
Move your hand in smooth ways.
Move your hand smooth and fast.
Move it in jerky ways.
Move it jerky and slow.
Let your hand make a shape.
Make other shapes.
Make contact with your skin.
Feel free to let go of making meaning.
Enjoy any sensations, thoughts, textures, dynamics, and nuance as you move any way you like. When you come to an ending, take a deep breath. What do you notice?
DanceThe Sacred Art: The Joy of Movement as a Spiritual Practice (Art of Spiritual Living)