Heart centered dance

Heart Centered Dance: It is through the dance that we enable a connection with ourselves at the level of the body and the heart. First we pay attention to the sensations of the body and moving from there to the heart centered space, we slow down to get in touch with what we can appreciate at that moment. Focusing on what we appreciate or are grateful for is one of the quickest ways of creating a focused and balanced heart space. One word can then be found and shared with the group that captures the essence of the space we have stepped into.

Part of the healing power of the dance as it existed in the agricultural societies of the Balkans was the conversation that would take place among members of the community as a part of the dance. As dancers would join the line, they would often find a friend that they had been looking forward to seeing that day and with whom they had a lot of catching up to do. (I wonder if this would have been more true for women than men?) As they danced and felt the joy of the music, they would share the ups and downs of their lives. I believe this is a ritual that had a powerful healing power. Not only did this provide an opportunity to process the stuff of their lives and the emotional reactions to it, but the continued dancing after conversation had ceased, also allowed an opportunity for the nervous system to reorganize itself in new patterns. This reorganization is what would allow the movement forward into new ways of being and doing that living requires.

Then, I was thinking that it might be good to start a workshop suggesting that each person begin the dance next to someone they know or would like to get to know. And, while the dance progresses to begin sharing with each other about their lives, particularly the most recent happenings. With the second dance, each person could find a new partner and continue the process. With the third dance, time could be spent focusing on the body and the area of the heart. In this fashion, we create a pathway to the intellect that is informed by the wisdom of the body and the intelligence of the heart.