While I dance I cannot judge or hate. I cannot separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole. That is why I dance.
~ Hans Bos
To me, dancing is a sort of moving meditation. It focuses all my energy, my entire body, and my mind on completing each move. When I dance, I'm not thinking about work the next day, my to-do list of housework, a friend who is upset or family member who is sick.
Don't misunderstand, there are times to focus the very important issues of life as well as the mundane, everyday tasks. However I find that after dancing, after releasing all of those thoughts and freeing my mind from worry, I am stronger once I go back to them.
I can relate to what the author Hans Bos means by only being joyful and whole while dancing. It gives you such a freedom that you can't help but feel more love, more joy, more gratitude, and more peace. When you leave dance class with these four gems lighting your way, life hasn't changed - but you have.
This last year has been incredibly challenging for me. Right in the middle of it I was drawn to ATS and it's been my lifeline ever since. For me, after dancing I feel more peace, and more confidence to take on what life brings. Class - through my teacher, fellow students, and the dance itself - has given me joy on days when all I thought I could do was crumble.
In a sense, I feel a great debt to the dance. Maybe that's what sparked the creation of his blog in the first place - it's my offering. It's good fun of course, with tutorials and shopping etc. - but my love for this 'tribal way' goes so much deeper. I hope dancing and this blog can impact you just as profoundly. :)
And PS: Carolena, if you ever find my blog, from the bottom of my heart, THANK-YOU.
Yes this turned into a mushy-gushy post, but I meant every word. If you want to share how dancing has impacted you, please comment below or email me at thetribalway@gmail.com
I am at peace when I dance. I am one with the rhythm, one with the music. The stress, everything vanishes.
ReplyDeleteGthicbellydancer from Twitter.
Dance has completely changed my life. I'm happier. I'm more confident. I have genuine friends for the first time in my life. I do things I never would have done before. Seriously. When I first started taking dance classes, I didn't *drive.* Now I drive 1.5 hours each way at least once a week to take my dance classes.
ReplyDeleteI'm really introverted by nature, but when I dance I come out of my shell, I make eye contact with strangers in the audience, smile a lot and have an amazing time.
My only regret is that I didn't take up belly dance when I first fell in love with it in the late 90s! I wasted almost 10 years being scared and lazy :P
I always loved bellydancing (I am interested into Mata Hari since I was 8, I am 16 now) , but the arabic styles... they are too stereotype for me, my very favourite is still tribal fusion. You can fuse your dance with your passions, no matter what your passions are. I love the way the dancer makes the dance own. It's elegant, sturdy and it shows the real character of the dancer, without the comments of their enviroment.
ReplyDeleteI don't take lessons yet, but I'm thinking of. I'm afraid of asking it because bellydancing has still a slutty reputation.
With love,
Thirza
AJ - So encouraging to hear! I am more introverted as well so I understand how dance gives you mroe confidence :) I guess your story is a testament to others to not be afraid - they won't regret taking a dance class!!
ReplyDeleteThirza - Thank-you for sharing your passion :) I'm not sure about the reputation you speak of, but the only way to pave a new, positive path in anything is to consistently add more integrity to it - in your own life/practice and encouraging it in others. I hope you decide to take a class and bring your integrity to every moment of your dance and life!
Thank-you both for sharing!