Thursday, January 22, 2015

Dance Expression

 
When was the last time you danced? I mean really danced. Uninhibited and care free. I danced like I've never danced before at a women's new year movement ritual, led by Stacey Butcher. I was invited by a friend and I really didn't know what to expect, although I knew I was about to embark on an interesting new experience. The timing was perfect, I'm always excited to try new things, especially with the start of a new year. We were asked to wear white clothing, which represented our clean white canvas which lies ahead of us in the new year. As we dance we step out of the old and into the new, setting intention through our movement. I arrived at the studio, the setting was beautiful, a wooden dance floor with lit candles all around the perimeter. I had the pleasure of meeting a few of the ladies while waiting to check in, they were experienced dancers or Rhythms practitioners. The women looked like angels in their white as they stretched and glided across the floor. I could sense their confidence, passion and love for dance. I felt welcomed but I anticipated the unknown of what was behind the curtain.  
We warmed up on the dance floor. Some warmed up gracefully like dancers, using the rail mounted to the wall to assist, some stretched using yoga moves, some stretched with tai chi moves, very fluid. I stretched like a runner, basic stretching without fancy frills. The music played and the dance party began. Forty or so women ranging in age from their 20s to their 60s expressing themselves through dance. The music was perfectly choreographed for the evening, it invited whole body expression. I began to move to the music, feeling a bit shy but also wanting to be authentic and in the moment. We were encouraged to move out of our one single spot and move into the open space in the room. At first I worried about getting into someone else’s space or bumping into someone. Feeling a little awkward still, I needed to find my happy place, my comfort zone. I began visualizing hiking along a trail, moving in a forward direction. Okay, this isn't so bad, I'll just do what I know, and I continued to hike incorporating my arms, feeling the music, hiking like I've never hiked before, with my whole body. The music changes and I am shedding off the old, another song and I am shedding off the anger, no wait, it’s not anger, its intent. I have intention, I have purpose. I am on the right path. Another song, I'm so happy, others are happy around me, I see it in their dance. I want to celebrate, I am celebrating. Another song, just swaying to the music, just wanting to take it all in. Others around me are dancing around the room, shedding, clearing, some just sway, some pause, some stretch. Another song, I am a princess, I am silly, I am having fun and I am surrounded by fun, but only for a moment. The music changes, I feel tribal, dancing to the rhythm of the drum. I am in a tribe, there is joy, celebration, pain and suffering, I feel it, I hear it, I see it, and it’s going to be okay. We are a village, there is support, acceptance and love.

  " Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body."   - Martha Graham
 
 
 

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