My friend, mentor, teacher and reader of this blog, Cynthia Winton-Henry has shared here her thoughts on movement/dance as a spiritual practice. You can learn more from and about her at her website, The Hidden Monastery; Centering the Divine Dance of body and Soul . Cynthia writes;
"The Great Dance stirs below the surface of life, always ready to lift us into wonder and magic. The dancing soul, say mystics, has nothing to do with steps or technique. The dance of life as our biological birthright and wisdom way is how we align to Cosmic Grace and Guidance. Dance is prayer at the cellular level.
The problem for many of us is that dance requires other bodies. It is not a solo practice. Even dedicated dancers find it challenging to dance alone. If you hunger to move, you may need to synch up to the Great Dance alongside others. Like those who drum, wherever two or more play, power and energy ignite.
As I say in my book, Dance: The Sacred Art, ; the Joy of movement as a spiritual practice.“Dancing quenches the restless heart. It’s a way of acknowledging, integrating, even celebrating that we live in a world in constant motion. It’s a way of unblocking self-expression. It’s a way of breaking down barriers.” When we are allowed to dance our prayers with others freely, we artfully co-operate with the sacred in all things."
I thank Cynthia for this advice and also for the many, many things I have learned from her about consulting the wisdom of my BODY rather than my head. She often asks us to shake our bodies and get rid of the centrality of THINKING before we start moving. The movement is allowed to inform our thinking rather than the other way around. I have found profound truths in my dancing with the organization Cynthia founded; Interplay. Check to see if there are Interplay leaders and gatherings near you. InterPlay is an active, creative way to unlock the wisdom of the body.
Though Cynthia rightly says that dance needs people to partner with. I have also experienced joy and insight by just putting on a piece of music that I love and letting my body move as it wants to move -- all by myself! Happy movement to you!