This week we celebrated Earth Day and we focused on Creativity in dance. Nature is an endless source of creative movement inspiration. I had a bit of time before Thursday's Nia class in Nanaimo so I took a moment to share a 7 directions embodied prayer to honour and celebrate Mother Earth. It was amazing to connect with the beauty all around me, even in the middle of downtown, with all its noise and construction! The energy I felt from saying "YES!" to creative spontaneity and expressing gratitude was soooooooooooo good. This pleasurable feeling continued into the dance class and for the rest of the day. My friend and Creative "In -to-it" Sharmaine Goldman calls this "creative aliveness". I just love this term because it speaks of creativity as a sensation. Dance is a wonderful way to tap into your creative aliveness. In class we allowed the sounds of the music, the energy of emotions, and the dancers all around us to stimulate creative movement. For fun (because PLAY is another great way to stimulate creativity) and to connect with yourself and Nature, go outside and try these movement explorations.
Ex#1 Step-in Triangle Focus - This is an excellent movement meditation to begin any practice with. The intention is to practice the art of becoming body-centered. Consciously tune into what movement forms you will integrate (eg. Aikido) and what you will focus your mind and intention on during your dance. (eg. centering)
Ex#2 Slow-Clock Step- Imagine stepping into the center of a clock or compass. Then practice moving from the center, and returning to center with simple and precise foot work. Pay special attention to how the foot is placed in each of the directions. Once your feet know where to step, allow this simple movement meditation to become a dance!
This week we focused on "Centering" in our dance. We used the martial art form of Aikido to energize our movments. O Sensei, the father of Aikido would say to his students, "The only difference between you and me is that I return to center faster than you." Center is a source of energy, creativity, and balance. Center is the place where you have access to both power and grace.
Although the main center of the body is the hara, located about one inch below the belly button and in the center between your belly and back, you can focus on many centers throughout the body. In our dance we found the center in our breath, our feet, the palms of our hands, and in our hearts.
Today, I am practicing a form of Self-Centering. I created a sacred space in the garden just for me. My intention was to connect with my center. My focus was my heart. First I cleared the space, raking away dead leaves and branches. Then I began to "altar" the flowers, playing with each of them and delighting in the song that seemed to be "singing me". Prrrimmmrossssesss... The flowers danced into a heart shape, and in the center I placed stones in the 5 directions. Each of them representing aspects I am finding my own center in. As I practice the "slo-clock" movement meditation, I imagine blending into the space in each direction, and embodying the energy of the sacred stones I placed there.
Hummingbird came to dance in the sunshine with me, reminding me of the JOY I feel when I'm at peace in my center. Ahhhhhh....I am so grateful for the gifts of spring.
Choosing consciously to connect to and move from your own center is an excellent way to create the sensation of dynamic ease. This is what we'll focus on next week!
Movements of the week! These are 2 movement tools from the Nia technique to support balance. (the lighting could use a bit of "balance" in these videos...but I trust they are still useful :)
Balance Finger- Also known as the power finger in Nia. Imagine the middle fingers having very strong magnets connecting to the earth.
Cat Stance- Pay special attention to the supporting leg: whole foot on earth, knee soft and springloaded. Have fun! MEOOOOOOW!
"The body demands balance." This is one of the five basic principles of the Nia Technique.Let’s check this out.The body’s design reflects this innate balance.We have 2 arms, legs, eyes, ears, lungs, kidneys, ovaries, testicles, brain hemispheres…all creating balance between right and left sides.Balance also appears between the major organs with the heart on the left and the liver on the right, and between the upper and lower body.
The body receives oxygen by inhaling and releases carbon dioxide on the exhale maintaining equilibrium.If we take in too much oxygen we can hyperventilate.Where else do you notice the body’s design supporting balance?
In my movement practice, I aspire to create equal balance between right and left and top and bottom, and with yin (feminine) and yang (masculine) movement energies.
This morning I was reminded to give equal attention to creating balance in my life when I pulled the BALANCE card.
As an angel I know I must take time to coordinate my life.If too many things weigh me down then I am unable to fly.In seeking balance I find my centre – centred, balanced, I may soar. ~ Virtue Cards
Being blessed with an abundance of creative inspirations, a loving husband, an amazing community, a beautiful island, and more..., I have no shortage of opportunities to over extend myself or take on "too much" . Sorting the "shoulds" from the "want to's" and the "have to's" and the "could do's" sometimes seems overwhelming. This is where a personal "centering" practice becomes so important.
One simple and effective practice I use is a heart centering tool from HeartMath. My mother in law, Faye Fentiman, taught me this years ago and it continues to bring balance to my life.
Try it!
HeartMath "Neutral Tool"
Heart focus-bring your attention to your heart, I place my hand over my heart and feel the beating. Heart Breathing- begin breathing in and out of your heart. By adding the third step below, you are practicing the"Quick Coherence Technique"
Heart Feeling-add a heart band feeling...care, appreciation, compassion...Faye always suggests thinking about a loved pet (I think of my cute little dog, Roxy!)
Next week in class we will continue to explore Balance by focusing on CENTER. What centering practice do you use to support balance in your life?
