Dance therapy for the soul

Meditation is the basis for all inner work. One of the best things that one can discover is dance meditation. Dancing is a means of self-discovery. It is a form of art where the body is the instrument. Dance is about using your own individual style to convey images, stories and emotions. The expression of the body when it moves to music is a rhythm that opens spaces within us and lends a hand to let go of concerns and complexity, sprouting a perception of ourselves that is one of discovery and recognition.

Dancing is a universal language of liberating your body, mind and soul, from your conscious awareness to deep down within your subconscious mind. Dance offers not just a creative outlet of expression but also a release for pent-up emotions. Free yourself from within, as you dance freely with no judgment. Transformation takes place when the individual is ready to make changes in his or her life and looks within to find truth and authenticity.

Dance meditation is about getting in touch with our emotions and spiritual essence, and expressing that energy through our physical movements. To explore different aspects of ourselves, we can dance with a variety of musical styles — including jazz, rock, classical and international. Regular practice of dance meditation can help phase out tension and anxiety from your life. Jazz is essentially the father of all dance styles. The movements that characterise this form are very isolated, staccato and linear. Hip-hop emphasises rhythm with a strong beat and the poetry of movement.

The concept of dancing is strongly associated with Gods. For example, Lord Krishna and his beloved dance of love in the sacred Vrindavan gardens. Lord Shiva, often personified as the dancing Lord Nataraja, is capable of dancing a furious dance that brings about massive amounts of destruction. Performers of Indian classical dances often consider their art as a form of worship. In dance as ritual, our learning mode is reversed and the mind learns from the body.

Dance is not only a language, it is also “listening.” Listen to the sounds of the waves within you. Your inner soul is completely in a relaxed mode when you dance your heart out. A smile on your face is a must when you are dancing; it makes you simply enjoy the being of yourself. After the sound, music, and movement stop, enter into silence. In this silence one can absorb the qualities evoked during the dance. This is the most important part of dance meditation.

The writer is a certified Zumba trainer.