In the West dance is often used as a form of entertainment, exercise, study, art, attraction or discipline, with form and structure. A dance class often takes on a rigid sequence from warm up to cool down. At times dance is not as commonly used as a prayer, connection, or a meditation. However the spread of dance as a healing and spiritual practice is apparent.
Gabrielle Roth believes that the fastest way to still the mind is to move the body. A pioneer of ecstatic dance in the west and creator of the model five-rhythm process she calls “The Wave” Gabrielle is quoted as saying “If you just set people in motion they’ll heal themselves.”
Embracing dance as a healing method and a connection to source has seen the rise in popularity of Ecstatic Dance or Trance Dance gatherings. According to the growing San Francisco Ecstatic Dance gatherings Ecstatic Dance is: a free form conscious dance where movement expands, spirit activates, boundaries melt, boredom ceases, creativity breaks out, hope happens, beauty flows, communities collaborate, ritual is reinvented, harmony resonates. The beat deepens as an electronic tapestry of world rhythms weave us together as individuals within a greater family.
“If you feel at all dance-challenged or have some sense of performance anxiety, just know that there are no wrong steps in ecstatic dance! Every move you make is right. You don’t have to be concerned about being aesthetic, graceful, disciplined, pretty, strong, confident, coordinated or contained as we’re so often taught that dance is about. In many ways, ecstatic dance is the antithesis of everything we’ve been taught that dance is supposed to be. In the ecstatic dance journey, your whole being becomes the paintbrush that your spirit guides across the canvas of your soul. To become the paintbrush all you need do is relax, surrender into the rhythms, and let your body’s wisdom guide your movements. In other words, trust and release your grip on the steering wheel. You’re dancing for your Self and no one else.” Karen Berggren
Action of the day: Set aside 30 minutes, put on some comfy clothes, your favorite incense or scented candle, perhaps a fan or open up your windows for some cool breeze, set an intention, prepare some phrases or affirmations collect some visuals, crank up your favorite mix that you know helps you to move naturally and then go for it. There is no wrong way, move, heal, enjoy, breath and feel.
Affirmation: I move with intention. I move with freedom. Thank you for my healing.
Inspiration: To dance then, is to pray, to meditate, to enter into communion with the larger dance, which is the universe. Jean Houston
