I am doing a workout this morning, at home in front of my big mirror. This consists of dancing 'shapes' to traditional African Rhythmic music and Glen Velez energy based rhythms. As I dance, the forms I am working with are basic forms of creation - Circle, Spiral, Infinity Symbol aka figure 8. I consider these forms foundations of physical matter, and sacred. As well, the way I dance is informed by African Dance, in terms of how intrinsic rhythmic reps and structure are part of it. Cycles, phases, changes.
As I dance, I always wish to share this, as it feels so good and adds to my health hugely. For years, when I lived on Vancouver Island, I taught groups Ecstatic Dance with these principles twice a week. In the past 6 years in Vancouver I have focused more on Rhythm as my livelihood, and dance has moved to being my personal practice. This is a practice that prevents what people call 'aging' - and releases tension and blockages that are physical, yes, but also become mental and emotional, since the 3 are always connected. Clarity of perception and thought are supported by physical health and vitality.
My workouts also contain yoga, which I have studied all my life, and lots of intuitive, instinctive movement. I let my body's feeling, sensation and need guide me, alongside my knowledge. So, here is what I do.....
MY MORNING WORKOUT TODAY (Join me!)
~ Put on some rhythmic music, tribal traditional indigenous music, if you have it. If not, Trance music will work, of any kind. Anything that feels good.
~ Begin to move in rhythm, listening closely to the music and letting it move you.
~ Activate all parts of your body. Go through it step by step: Start with the feet, move up thru legs, hips, belly, chest, spinal waves, shoulders, arms, head. Cover everything. You can work on specific areas that are tense or that just feel good to move. Now integrate the whole thing. Stay conscious to your sensation, emotion, thought...this is a moving meditation. The more you inhabit your body as you dance, the more benefit and knowledge of yourself you will receive.
~ Repetition & Cycle: If you can do so without being taken out of your body, use rhythmic reps, ie counts. Repeat moves in reps of 4s, 8s, 2s, and create phrasing: Combinations of counts. This helps engage attention and ground you in cyclical patterns. Start as simply as you need.
~ Dance until you sweat, if possible. Sweating helps the kidneys to flush, as well as cleansing your whole body. Breath intensifies simultaneously and this is part of the detox. Open a window for fresh air.
~ Try to go thru a complete cycle. You will know when it is complete by how you feel. Here are some markers in a complete cycle:
1) Connect, move slowly, bring your attention in
2) Find your groove, enjoy the ride, move smoothly, freely
3) Let go, abandon yourself to the dance, to its height
4) Move more slowly, internal focus, stay with your movement and let it subside gradually
5) Rest. Lay, sit or stand and feel the effects, letting your breath and body systems quiet
Stay present to energy, thought, emotion circulating...you will often receive insights and
revelation here
6) If you have time, now is a good time to do some stretching, or meditation or journalling
~ Do What You Can: Even if you have only 15m to devote to dancing, you will feel elements of a mini cycle. Just start! Once you start, it feels so good you won't want to stop.
~ Move intuitively: This is a natural cycle that occurs everywhere in nature. We are nature. Put yourself in motion, in rhythm, and feel and trust your body. The more you practice this, the more instinct will wake up and you will know exactly what you need to do, and how. Not just in your dance, but in your life, too!
Intuitive Dance is a powerful health practice. You can also heal yourself of many maladies with this. To top it off, dancing like this awakens intuition. Strong inner knowing makes you a sovereign being, and helps you steer thru all aspects of your life. Our bodies are our interface with all levels of reality, from physical to energetic. When we are healthy in them, we can create powerfully in the world.
My body is the strong friend who advises me. My body is my guide. My body shows me what feels good and what feels bad...Where I want to go, where I don't want - or need - to go. My desire is good. My body is my faithful dog, always with me, always looking out for me and protecting me. My body is a fun place to be! Full of delight, enjoyment. My body brings me....to the Mystery.
Enjoy your journey, and trust yourself. Your body is ancient and wise. It is made up of elements of air, water, light, and minerals (earth) that circulate on our planet. We are wearing a physical form that is made of borrowed material! This material moves thru us and moves thru all forms on our planet...bodies of water, sky, clouds, rocks, plants, animals, sunlight, starlight. This is a sacred relationship.
The more we connect with our bodies, the more we are connected to our guides of spirit and emotion....and the less we support things that harm our beloved Earth.
________________________________________
Study these principles with me:
My Dance Workshops: For a guided journey through these principles, I teach occasional dance workshops called Earth Prayers Ecstatic Dance Journeys. Check my dance page for more info, and contact me to join my email list for notice. We also visit these essential principles musically in my Drum Classes.
Contact me at navaro@tribal-bliss.com
As I dance, I always wish to share this, as it feels so good and adds to my health hugely. For years, when I lived on Vancouver Island, I taught groups Ecstatic Dance with these principles twice a week. In the past 6 years in Vancouver I have focused more on Rhythm as my livelihood, and dance has moved to being my personal practice. This is a practice that prevents what people call 'aging' - and releases tension and blockages that are physical, yes, but also become mental and emotional, since the 3 are always connected. Clarity of perception and thought are supported by physical health and vitality.
My workouts also contain yoga, which I have studied all my life, and lots of intuitive, instinctive movement. I let my body's feeling, sensation and need guide me, alongside my knowledge. So, here is what I do.....
MY MORNING WORKOUT TODAY (Join me!)
~ Put on some rhythmic music, tribal traditional indigenous music, if you have it. If not, Trance music will work, of any kind. Anything that feels good.
~ Begin to move in rhythm, listening closely to the music and letting it move you.
~ Activate all parts of your body. Go through it step by step: Start with the feet, move up thru legs, hips, belly, chest, spinal waves, shoulders, arms, head. Cover everything. You can work on specific areas that are tense or that just feel good to move. Now integrate the whole thing. Stay conscious to your sensation, emotion, thought...this is a moving meditation. The more you inhabit your body as you dance, the more benefit and knowledge of yourself you will receive.
~ Repetition & Cycle: If you can do so without being taken out of your body, use rhythmic reps, ie counts. Repeat moves in reps of 4s, 8s, 2s, and create phrasing: Combinations of counts. This helps engage attention and ground you in cyclical patterns. Start as simply as you need.
~ Dance until you sweat, if possible. Sweating helps the kidneys to flush, as well as cleansing your whole body. Breath intensifies simultaneously and this is part of the detox. Open a window for fresh air.
~ Try to go thru a complete cycle. You will know when it is complete by how you feel. Here are some markers in a complete cycle:
1) Connect, move slowly, bring your attention in
2) Find your groove, enjoy the ride, move smoothly, freely
3) Let go, abandon yourself to the dance, to its height
4) Move more slowly, internal focus, stay with your movement and let it subside gradually
5) Rest. Lay, sit or stand and feel the effects, letting your breath and body systems quiet
Stay present to energy, thought, emotion circulating...you will often receive insights and
revelation here
6) If you have time, now is a good time to do some stretching, or meditation or journalling
~ Do What You Can: Even if you have only 15m to devote to dancing, you will feel elements of a mini cycle. Just start! Once you start, it feels so good you won't want to stop.
~ Move intuitively: This is a natural cycle that occurs everywhere in nature. We are nature. Put yourself in motion, in rhythm, and feel and trust your body. The more you practice this, the more instinct will wake up and you will know exactly what you need to do, and how. Not just in your dance, but in your life, too!
Intuitive Dance is a powerful health practice. You can also heal yourself of many maladies with this. To top it off, dancing like this awakens intuition. Strong inner knowing makes you a sovereign being, and helps you steer thru all aspects of your life. Our bodies are our interface with all levels of reality, from physical to energetic. When we are healthy in them, we can create powerfully in the world.
My body is the strong friend who advises me. My body is my guide. My body shows me what feels good and what feels bad...Where I want to go, where I don't want - or need - to go. My desire is good. My body is my faithful dog, always with me, always looking out for me and protecting me. My body is a fun place to be! Full of delight, enjoyment. My body brings me....to the Mystery.
Enjoy your journey, and trust yourself. Your body is ancient and wise. It is made up of elements of air, water, light, and minerals (earth) that circulate on our planet. We are wearing a physical form that is made of borrowed material! This material moves thru us and moves thru all forms on our planet...bodies of water, sky, clouds, rocks, plants, animals, sunlight, starlight. This is a sacred relationship.
The more we connect with our bodies, the more we are connected to our guides of spirit and emotion....and the less we support things that harm our beloved Earth.
________________________________________
Study these principles with me:
My Dance Workshops: For a guided journey through these principles, I teach occasional dance workshops called Earth Prayers Ecstatic Dance Journeys. Check my dance page for more info, and contact me to join my email list for notice. We also visit these essential principles musically in my Drum Classes.
Contact me at navaro@tribal-bliss.com
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