An angelic friend of mine asked me to join her in a 5-rhythms dance class on spontaneous occasions over the past year. The word ‘dance’ alone, makes my insides perk up before melting into the thought of swaying movement. From the picture of ‘freedom’ my friend had described, 5-rhythms sounded like a space where I could express myself, in a way I’d only done privately and alone in my home, free and able to be me. I wasn’t ready to let people see all facets of my emotion.
During an experience of pain and change, the timing felt right and the suggestion of dance comfortably resonated as an opportunity to rejuvenate the soul and lift the spirit.
In the presence of ambience… candle lights, soft blankets, positive affirmations, symbols of peace, warm open space, a selection of musical trance and lead by a beautifully inspiring teacher (and partner), guiding us into our deeper realms – the dance from within gracefully exploded through all moods felt in the music. My mind let go (95% of the time), my body opened and the essence of ‘who am I’ surfaced. Not an ounce of worry was felt in any cell and I explored the sincerest kind of beauty that dancing unveils…. freedom, strength and softness.
I had no inhibitions to hide or protect, because every other body in the room was sharing the same experience. It was a safe space with a spiritual undercurrent, yielding energy transformation, thus life transformation.
Even without spiritual awareness, the resulting natural ‘high’ in turn begins to produce positive and healing physiological effects. The release of our ‘relax’ hormones is remarkable and our circulatory systems receive a stimulating workout. A playful change from yoga practice. Particularly the mind feels clean and strong again, unshaken by the illusions of our stresses. A lucid mind brings forth lucid insight. I was introduced to a slice of heaven and from there onwards every week, I look forward to shaking out and jumping about, rolling-sliding-gliding and extending or reaching from head, to fingers, to toes. What a delightful and therapeutic way to cleanse all layers of our existence (mind, body and soul).
I get the sense that most dancers utilize weekly classes to release themselves from the constraints of the heart and mind. I certainly transition into aspects of personality that people wouldn’t naturally know existed. I’m referring to the vulnerability music draws out from us. The quality that makes any performing artist successful. On a feedback note, could teachers pretty please consider the restriction of any form of bystanding during classes – including musicians wanting to play an instrument under the inspiration of a sea of dancers? In line with my sincerity, my new found freedom has somewhat been taken away by someone who regularly spends a greater amount of time seated. I thought nothing of it until I was persistantly approached at various times in an intrusive manner. Uncomfortably, I’ve temporarily stopped dancing. I once heard, “dancing is like a window to the soul, you can’t hide anything’. How very accurate these words are! I think any bystander could unintentionally take the liberty of ‘watching’ through peoples windows. I know when I take seconds in moments to look up and around, I’m mesmerized by the purity pouring out from all dancers. From a more introverted perspective, it is comfortably accepted to be seen or admired whilst sharing the expressions of dance, but it feels like a type of violation to be watched, when admiration oversteps a boundary.
I am priviledged to be able to experience the journey 5-rhythms offers. Everyone that is involved in some way knows the glory I speak of. Therefore with all my heart, thank you so much to those that find it their destiny to teach and provide the sacredness of dance! Namaste.
