SOUL DANCE
Moving to the deep rhythm of your Being.
“Dancing for God.”
Soul Dance is a kind of expressive meditation. It is a mix of exercise and meditation thereby achieving relaxation and stillness through movement. Expressive meditation is a form of Mind Body Spirit Medicine and can be used as complementary treatment to and prevention of a number of stress-related illnesses, maintenance of health and well-being. I have been practicing expressive meditation through movement or dance.
When I saw a certain documentary film, which talked about the history or trance in different cultures, the use of drums, music, chants and dances in inducing the trance state as well as in prayer rituals, my belief on the benefit of my own practice was validated. In a number of my talks on Mind Body Spirit Medicine and workshops I’ve given, I’ve mentioned this practice of mine. People in the cancer support group that I’m very active on asked me to share and introduce this practice to them. I was inspired to make my own practice of meditative dancing into a certain form of expressive meditation, with some structure and name, then introduce and share it to others.
In my own practice I can use different genres of music but for this creation’s first session, I am using tribal music owing to its origin and my source of inspiration. It is my vision however that this will eventually evolve to include any kind of music depending on the people joining the session.
Soul Dance is essentially simply moving to the deep rhythm of life that is within us all. Each of us has his own unique rhythm, thus nobody else can do your dance, as long as you feel and follow your own rhythm inside. I encourage YOU to focus on that rhythm inside, not on the music, but use the music as an instrument to move you. Letting the music move you instead of moving to the music. If you are comfortable I would highly suggest closing your eyes or keeping them half closed as to limit the distraction from the outside world, thereby really concentrating on what’s happening inside, feeling it and expressing it through movement or dance. I, or whoever may eventually lead the group will talk every once in awhile simply to serve as a guide to the meditation, but if the participant feels that he or she doesn’t need such guidance then they’re free to follow and listen to that voice within, the Soul.
Give an ample space between the other people in the group to allow freer movement and also try to be conscious of the energy of the person next to you that you feel even with your eyes shut. Do not be afraid of hurting each other. Always emit energies of love and gratitude and with this, it’s impossible to hurt one another.
Although there are no rules for this exercise, I divide the session into certain parts, which may change from time to time. The more important rule is to simply feel and effortlessly flow to where the session leads you. With my knowledge and skill on Mind Body Spirit Medicine, I am incorporating some Mind Body Spirit medicine techniques. The first part would be breathing exercise, concentrative and mindfulness meditation. Warm up would be guided by the Body Scan technique, focusing on one body part at a time, both external and internal parts. Feelings of love and gratitude are always infused into the movements. The more active main exercise that follows may also use the Body Scan while focusing on energizing the body parts. Emotional catharsis whether the so-called negative or positive emotions will be incorporated into the dance.
To achieve relaxation and tranquility, the group will be guided to a slower meditative dance. Participants are guided to slowly walk around, still moving or dancing in a meditative way. They are guided to visualize the easy flow of life, free of struggle and haste. Some parts of the music for this phase have faster and stronger beats but people are guided to keep the slow and flowing pace. This serves as an expression of keeping still amidst the seemingly fast paced world.
This is followed by a festive celebration dance of joy, love and gratitude. The leader won’t guide the movement for this part. Participants move and dance in whatever way they want, but they’re encouraged to feel joyful, loved and grateful.
The last part would be a guided group meditative dance. This serves to remind us that although we are individually unique, we are all connected. Participants form a circle, facing the center, noticing each other. The leader will begin with a certain movement, which will be followed by everyone, but as the dance flows, anyone can introduce an action or movement, which will then be followed by everyone. The group will move as One. Before this part begins, a certain intention, prayer or a declaration of something that one asks for will be said. Everyone is encouraged to focus on that intention thereby giving the whole group’s energy to it. The leader will constantly remind the group to focus on such intention.
The session will be ended by words of gratitude. A lot of thank you’s, anything that anyone can think of.
Since I also do the whirling meditation of the Sufis and find it very effective, I may also incorporate a little of it into the session.
Each session will be unique since the most basic influence would be that rhythm inside of us, which constantly changes. The certain parts are just guides but things happen as they happen. The possibilities are endless. It can be a meditation focusing on nature then expressing it through movement. It can be about colors, or about the lyrics of the music that would be used. It can be anything, it can be everything, and it can even be nothing.
My vision for Soul Dance is for it to be meditative yet a fun celebration, a party of a loving community.
Dim lighting would set a meditative mood and people are encouraged to wear comfortable, festive, tribal or party clothes or accessories, instead of gym clothes. These should however not limit their movements, so the most comfortable outfits will be encouraged. Yet a variety of themes can also be done, mostly depending on the music. It can be Indian, Latin, the various kinds of Asian music, techno, trance or electronic, etc. The music and the theme are just instruments, and variations are simply done to avoid monotony and provide excitement to each new session. The most important component of the dance is that rhythm inside, the movement of the Soul.
I do have other tips for this event to be maximally enjoyed. Consider the experience as a dance of a God for God. Dance like you’re dancing alone. Come with the intention of having fun. Do everything with ease and comfort. Don’t struggle, just flow. Try to be conscious of your balance. This can be assured by mostly wide and firm stance. But there are NO RULES for this dance. If you feel like slowing down or stopping feel free to do so. Yet I encourage you to keep moving and keep dancing…. even only in your mind. Feel. Move. Dance. Enjoy. Be the SOUL DANCE.
(I was given the privilege to share the Soul Dance for the first time, last month, with the members and friends of the Kahayag Network of Cancerf Support Groups and some people from Holiday Gym and Spa where it was held…and I Am Grateful.)
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