Dancing Life to the Beat of Your Own Drum
If you hit a wall, climb over it, crawl under it, or dance on top of it. Unknown
Dance as a natural expression of daily life is in the roots of human culture throughout history and enjoyed globally by all generations. It was originally a practice for healing meditation, connecting with the spirit and natural worlds, and community cohesion. Let us not forget the ancient healers and teachers of all cultures as well as present day Indigenous peoples who know and practice the healing power of dance. Yes, science is catching up to this knowledge but the modern world has so much to learn.
Have you ever turned up the music and just danced your heart out? How about with your kids or loved ones? How did they respond?
Dance is everywhere in our culture, often organized in classes, performances, and entertainment in the media. Some people don’t like to dance but many eventually love it once they feel safe and less self-conscious. There’s a common belief in mainstream, especially Western culture, that dancing is only for special, highly trained and extra talented individuals.
Why is it considered normal to watch others perform, but not move our own bodies?
Why don’t most people dance on the street or even when moving down the street? I do and usually by myself because it feels wonderful. I was delighted to later discover that dance walking in groups was a “thing”.
I dance for the joy of it and professionally support others to do the same. How about you? I’m happiest when I don’t care what others think, when attention and approval don’t matter. And I find that this is true for so many people. The challenge is to focus on the sheer sense of freedom, release, expression, celebration; like a meditation, stepping inside of the music and the rhythm, allowing it to lead me.
Mental health is a serious public health issue. Everywhere you look, people are unhappy, stressed, angry, frazzled; even little children. What is going on? The dangerous foreign invader that we keep missing is the epidemic of fear and pain we’re carrying inside.
What if instead of fighting with themselves and others, people chose to turn up the music and sing or dance?
Dancing can also help eliminate depression more than aerobic exercise or listening to music. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine considered 11 different physical activities. Researchers found that dancers have a sharper mind and are at a lower risk of developing brain disease in the long term than non-dancers. Dancing was the only activity of the 11 studied that lowered the risk of dementia by at least 76 percent.
A UCLA Health Study found that 98% of the participants reported the benefits of meditative, conscious or free-form, sometimes called ecstatic, dance in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and a history or trauma. It helped them to feel more connection and compassion.
I am a dancer. I dance because it comes from and nourishes my soul. I have to dance so I weave dance throughout my life. I make that effort because it made me miserable to deny myself joy and the happiness of generally being myself which led to severe depression.
WHAT DO YOU DO THAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
Even if it’s just for 5 minutes? It doesn’t matter what it is. Dancing is just an example. Try something different! What have you always wanted to try but felt like you couldn’t because of what others might think?
My point is simply that we can BE OURSELVES and DO WHAT MAKES US HAPPY in the context of our lives right now. Hiding your true self and stuffing your truth is sure to make you sick and unhappy. I know because I’ve been there myself and I now know there is another choice.
photo credit: firewalkhq.com
