Healing Through Dance

What to do when the body hurts too much to Dance

2011-09-05T14:55:00.000-07:00

Hey Beautiful,

The time may come when you will find yourself with a dance related injury that will leave you quite immobile for a while. This can be a very depressing time for most dancers, because after all, we release, heal, and understand our emotions via dance. All of a sudden the difficulty of the fancy moves we once did with ease, becomes quite clear. These moments are designed to show you your level of emotional resilience. They are a gift of silence and stillness given to you from the power that connects us all.

We can get extremely wrapped up in our professional pursuits to the dismay of our true selves, forgetting the power of that little voice within that would like to experience another level of being, or perhaps creativity. For example, times of injury are a perfect opportunity to take stock of where you have been, and where you would like to go next, or to be fully in the present moment. It can even be used as a time to develop and grow within a new skill, such as writing, or painting. It can even mean that its time for you to just watch for a while, to take a step back from the stage of life, to welcome the understanding that the world still happens, even when yours seems to stop.

However, the most important gift of injury presents itself as an opportune chance to remember and innerstand that the body is miraculous healing bio-spiritual-mechanism. The subconscious or conscious decision to unleash the potential of the determined human spirit, and our powerful minds acting in cohesive harmony, will inevitably be what we come to experience as healing. We have two options, dwell in self pity, or step up to the challenge and become stronger individuals. The finest metals, go through the hottest fires before reaching a highly valuable level of purity. We are no different. May the light be with you.

-HTDMoves

Encounter of the 3rd Kind

2011-06-12T06:31:00.000-07:00

Hey Beautiful,

Just wanted to take a moment to share some of the work of HTDmoves Founder, Kevon "Bulletyme" Simpson. Here he performs the ritual of dance rich with a message of oneness and our ability to shape the world via the mind. Take a look and see the result of the HTDmoves teaching approach, and its magical fierceness when brought to the stage.

-HTDmoves

Dance and Meditation Saves Lives

2011-03-28T22:19:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

A group setting is not the best setting for most people to learn in. Many things come into play, like feelings of shyness, and the fear of being judged. Life has conditioned us in a way that gives birth to our limitations. This is why privates are so beneficial, they build the confidence to keep up in class. With that confidence, the free flowing energy of dance can bring anyone back to the forefront of life. HTDmoves has reached and changed the lives of many. Those suffering from a list of ailments: panic attacks, stage fright, high blood pressure, stress (the leading cause of associated illnesses in America such as heart disease). In these times, it becomes more and more important to realize the power of our inner-world, and what happens when we decide to joyously inspect it with great instruction and advice. When we work on ourselves in this positive manner, we literally change the world.

As we prepare for the launching of new endeavors as a company, your feedback, thoughts, and questions are most welcomed and appreciated. Keep your mind in your heart, and love your life, its the only one you have.

-HTDmoves

Inquiring Minds

2010-05-10T21:08:00.002-07:00

Many have asked, "well what happens in your class actually?," this video is that answer. This is by far, the most calming Hip Hop dance class you will ever take. It is the only class in NYC that is also geared towards your inner development as a human being overall. It is the perfect approach to teaching today's youth and adults about non-violence, and channeling life's difficult moments into artistic expression via movement. Come check out its humble beginnings.

www.fusedanceny.com
twitter.com/htdmoves

It's Official!

2010-04-26T11:10:00.000-07:00

Life, is about taking joy with each step towards your goal, whatever that goal or dream may be. Every breath and step, a celebration of life. For those of you who have been asking, the class link is finally on the CRS website! Feel free to check it out, and share it with friends via facebook or twitter. Your help in bringing people together with a focus on peace is wonderful. I thank you for helping us along on our journey; our goal of uniting the world with peace.

Here is the Link:
http://www.crsny.org/drupal/ja/node/9417?page=2

Finding Home

2010-04-19T19:34:00.001-07:00

We are pleased to announce that our mission and program is in action. Over the past few weeks, more people have been coming to class. The feedback is always good. The HTD Hip Hop dance class has found its home at the CRS (Center for Remembering and Sharing) near 14st Union Square. This is a wonderful time for us, thank you so much for your support.

Our first class at CRS (www.crsny.org) will be on April 27th, at 4:15 pm, and is donation based.
It is located at 123 4th ave, 2nd flr (between 12th and 13th) Bring a friend. All levels are welcomed to attend, and youth are encouraged to come take class.

We will be continuing our classes at PMT as well. We see it like this, the more options YOU have, the better. :-)

Dance and be well!

-HTDmoves
twitter.com/htdmoves

Visitors From Japan

2010-03-28T20:21:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday's class was wonderful. We had visitors from Kyushu, Japan who were still enjoying their lovely time in NYC. Our class was exceptionally peaceful this time around, the dancers who have been coming grew, and those who were there for the first time were still able to follow. A moment of peace, a moment of fun, and the drop by drop building of confident dance ability. What more could anyone ask for?

Its wonderful to live a life filled with a feeling of purpose and joy: this is what that class is for us; a chance for us to share that with the public. At the end of this class, our visitors from japan, danced for us, this - I must say - was icing on the cake.

On the following monday, our visitors took the HTD class for the first time. They loved the approach! Everyone had a great time, feeling centered, and learning some unique dance moves. They will certainly be back for more.

Keep Dancing!! Keep Healing!! Keep Smiling!! Keep Shining!!

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfOA8tQlm-w

www.youtube.com/htdmoves

Beyond The Exercise Effect

2010-03-05T01:16:00.000-08:00

Psychologists have long known that dance lift people's spirits, similar to Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Yoga. But the real question is: How? Or Why? Dance(rhythmic movement) causes the brain to naturally release mood-lifting neurotransmitters and bring them to a healthy balance. Serotonin is chemical joy in the brain, a lack of this nuerotransmitter has been linked to depression, sadness, and stress. Norepinephrine is the nuerotransmitter often associated with the “fight or flight” response to stress. Low levels of norepinephrine are associated with a loss of alertness, poor memory, and depression.

Everything that we perceive with our five senses is energy, even the music we listen to. Music carries its own vibration, if it is a song that makes you feel good, it lifts your mood. This feeling good now has a vibration in your body that causes it to want to move. When an individual decides to get up and move, it’s not just arms and legs swinging around. When dance happens with music that makes you feel good, every single cell in your body begins to operate in unison with that underlying feeling of joy you felt from the music. Every cell is receiving the necessary neurotransmitters needed in order for you to feel good. Cells that feel good while in unison heal much easier. This is the Mind-Body connection at its best. In addition, proteins are produced within brain cells that spur the growth of new neurons and new cell connections, literally making the mind suppler. This means that one can change their internal state through external movement. This has been known long before science could dissect it, it is why yoga, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong, are still around today. And though dance was once regarded as an ancient method towards well-being, its true power was dimmed behind its entertainment aspect. Entertainment is great! Healing and/or Developing a stronger mind-body connection via dance, is great too!!Dance can change your life for the better, it has been proven!So, lets Get into the Groove and be happy(^-^)

meetup.com/fusehtd - Dance Class Meetup
meetup.com/fusedance - Dance Fitness Meetup
twitter.com/htdmoves
youtube.com/htdmoves

Healing Through Dance, what is it?

2010-03-02T20:47:00.000-08:00

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.