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.
