Dance

[Hanaan]

Hi Everyone,

I was dancing this morning... and feeling the effect it has on me particularly with regard to emotional processing, feeling and releasing. I find it really helpful and therapeutic.

I don't mean any particular type, formula or routine of dancing...but simply feeling what my body needs and moving to the rhythm of whatever I am feeling on the spectrum of emotions. Music has always helped me feel...sometimes I sound out my pain or grief and that helps me too...sometimes the music is what triggers the emotions/feelings and then dance helps me express what I am feeling and release it.

I remember reading somewhere that memories are stored in our bones and tissue - I am assuming thats why massage is effective? And in line with Jesus' recommendation of massage (which I have also experienced the benefits of). I feel dance has a similar effect on exposing and releasing our feelings/emotions/memories because it makes us move our bones, muscles, tissues - the whole body.

I usually dance in a safe place, on my own. So its very much a healing tool for me.

Its totally up to the individual if they are drawn to dance or what type, where and how...but I just thought I'd put it out there as something that really helps me in my feeling and emotional processing.

warm wishes

[LisaQ]

Hi Hanaan,

I, too, find dance to be such a great way to connect with myself more deeply, on many levels. I've been participating in a community dance called "Soul Motion", which is a DJed, lightly facilitated chance to drop into myself in a safe environment, with others who are doing the same thing.

I find that sometimes emotions like anger will come up on the dance floor, which normally don't surface during my morning sitting prayer time to God, which indicates to me that getting into my body further connects me with myself and my emotions.

In fact, dance is such a passion of mine that I hope to someday create a safe movement space for others to connect more fully with themselves and feel their emotions. My vision is to have processing rooms off of the main movement hall, where people can go to work through deeper, louder releases.

It's been a while since I've boogied on my own, in my own home. I think I'll get back to it! Thanks for the reminder of how great this can be to do on one's own.

Happy dancing!
Lisa

[Allegedly Dom]

Dancing definitely helps me too. When I'm alone I usually find I'm able to express myself more sincerely and like you said, to me dancing isn't something that is taught but rather intuitive and spontaneous. I think most people have just been shut down emotionally so much that they are disconnected with the innate ability to feel and move their own bodies with out being told how or following repetitive patterns they watch. I usually listen to a playlist of all types of electronic music with mixed emotional vibes and when I feel an impulse I'll just get up and express it. Sometimes it's a more aggressive-masculine fast-paced type or slower, feminine, gliding and swaying fluid type; depends completely on my mood in the moment.

[Hanaan]

Totally!

Thanks Lisa and A. Dom

Ditto on the sometimes aggressive and other times soft rhythmic movements. Sometimes just crying.

I still have an inhibition of expressing myself fully in front of another or people (even if they are friends) ...but if I did have a safe communal space (perhaps in the future) that would offer me another dimension of healing especially in exposing/expressing my fears of others' opinion and my facade around that.

I like listening/Dancing to native american-indian music or any other music I consider good that is more instrument based/without words - I find it effective in getting me in touch with emotions.