Healing Through Dance, what is it?

Healing Through Dance is a program designed to develop soul awareness through movement in those who practice it. It is safe, fun and easy. As a program designed for beginning dancers – seasoned professionals, there is room for everyone, and their desired levels of growth. At the beginning level, dancers learn how to dance in silent unison, similar to the teaching method of tai-chi.* They develop the foundation of being in the present moment, seated in the awareness of every part of the body, its five senses and the breath. At the intermediate - professional levels, the insight meditation practice dives into the study of memories and their power to bring out true emotions, thus creating the honest performer. One who is capable of dancing intense drama upon the stage, and leaving it on the stage when the performance is over.
Those who practice Healing Through Dance, develop a deep sense of connectedness to the world around them. They learn to let go of past feelings and memories that may have kept them from living out their dreams to their fullest potential. They take steps towards attaining true peace in their lives, dependent on nothing but the joy of breathing. They begin to understand that everything after breathing, is simply, icing on the cake, even the art of dancing. Life is truly meant to be enjoyed, and Healing Through Dance is a great way of remembering and practicing that.


The Benefits and History of Meditation

The History of Meditation goes back to about 5,000BC. Researchers speculate that primitive hunter-gatherer societies may have discovered meditation and its altered states of consciousness while staring at the flames of their fires. It developed over thousands of years, and reached America in 1960, and was a huge part of the hippie movement, a time when a vast portion of the American population focused on peace, unity, and oneness. Many of our cultural and technological advancements spawned from this era. Meditation has also been credited with lowering crime rates in troubled cities as well (Washington, DC 1993). Psycological benefits include: reduced stress and anxiety, increased creativity and intelligence, reduced depression, increased learning ability, moral reasoning, and memory. Physiological benefits include: boost your immune system, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, improves airflow, and gives those who practice it a younger biological age.


The Beauty of Combination

Personally dance is one of my favorite things to do. I find a new level of non-judgmental freedom within each step, each time I dance. The first few years of my dancing experience was mixed with turmoil and un-acceptance, this lead me to seek solace elsewhere, in something less dependent upon the opinions of others, their acceptance, and their beliefs/disbelief in the possibility of my dreams. I then began meditating, in the belief that we are all connected to an infinite source of expression and creativity, and that we only need to decide to tap in, in order to feel whole, completed, and infinitely supported. I began to understand that no one can claim specific ownership of this source, as we are all its owners and users. This practice, in my mind, was separate from my dance practice. Over time, I noticed that my dance was becoming more free, more honest, with each passing year. I also noticed that I was feeling more peace in my life and I got sick less frequently. This was before reading about the psychological and physiological benefits of meditation, so, it was hard for me to understand where this peace, clarity, and health was coming from. I meditated for the sake of meditation only. Then one day, in some idle moment of thought, it all made sense, “This peace, this new found expressive dance ability is a result of my meditation practice! How can I share this beautiful freedom with others?!” I understood that not everyone would have the discipline to sit down for hours and hours in meditation, or the time. I also understood that not everyone was going to practice yogo, journey to Tibet, or join a meditation temple to learn this life altering practice. I then thought, “Who am I? What am I good at? Which talent can I use to lead others to the joy inside themselves? What is another fun way? Dance!? Of course, Dance!” And this was the birth of Healing Through Dance.


In Conclusion

The choice to learn the power of the soul is in the hands of the individual. To those that decide to go on that powerful journey of self discovery, there are many movement avenues one can take in this life. There is Tai-Chi, Qigong, Yoga, and now Dance. This is my attempt to help others remember the tribal and spiritual nature of dance. In ancient times everyone in the village danced. They were once the people in the village who would dance rain out the sky during drought. To remember the power hidden in rhythmic movement is freedom in the flesh, in the spirit, and in the mind.


*Please note that music is also used in class instruction.
*Please note also that nothing has to be physically or mentally wrong with the individual in order to enjoy/benefit from this kind of class.