We are all caught in a whirlpool of non stop activity. From dawn to dusk our body, mind and soul is quashed under extreme pressures of hard core work. This means extreme burnout of the three most beautiful gifts to mankind.

It leaves us exhausted as we retire to bed. The soul is always longing to be replenished. However this cannot be achieved by 8 hours of sleep. It needs more than just food. What is that thing that can put life back into a human being? It is dance. This is a unique form of bringing back the zeal to live. Otherwise what are you living for. Money to survive and food to give us energy, to do work. But it is the soul that needs to be revitalized. And that can be done through different forms of dancing.

 

Believe it or not, dance has its unique benefits such as:

• It is a great stress buster

• It relieves stress

• It tones body and gives shape

• It uplifts your spirit

• It enhances your metabolism

• It gives a break to monotonous life

• It helps in losing weight

 

Dances are of many types. Salsa, Jazz, Waltz, Hip hop, break-dance or Indian dances like Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kathak , bhangra etc. There are endless forms but the sole aim is rejuvenation.

 

Dance as a form of Meditation

As normal human beings we infuse mind body, soul to move in life. This movement is natural. Dancing is like a meditation which gets the body moving aerobically. Through meditative dancing, hormones that bring us the feel good factor suddenly start moving rapidly and give life to each and every cell in the body. It is as if the cells have suddenly started living. The outlook toward life is uplifted and we feel energized while dancing. It is also possible to gain direct access in our own enlightened qualities: love, understanding, joy, openness, understanding and energy. A genuine feeling of love and trust tends to encompass around us and positive vibrations are emitted from the body in all directions while dancing freely. While dancing you tend to leave all inhibitions and tend to move freely like worship to God. It is as if you are submitting yourself to him forever. The love and compassion between you and the supreme power is thereby beautifully seen here…

The goal of mediation is communication with the inner soul and while in our body-mind we tend to feel the inner spirit enlivened while dancing too.

· Dance mediation can be done in groups or alone depending on your choice.

· Enough space should be provided to let you lose and free. So dance in an empty space.

· It is important to wear comfortable lose fitting clothes and shoes to move and bend. For that matter bare feet and ballet shoes are best.

· Select music that you are very close to. It can even be hard metal or soft Beethoven music depending upon your liking.

· Try simple exercise like stretching before beginning.

· Do not begin dancing immediately after meals as it can violate the digestive system.

 

How to mediate while dancing

People often tend to lose themselves dancing in pubs and enjoying every bit of the night life boozing and fagging till the wee house of morning. The dance is of no use if it is done in crowded smoke filled pubs or private parties. The essence of dancing in the real form is lost as you tend to move according to space and not your will. So, dancing should not be dependant on the space but by the free will of the heart. It is only called meditative dancing if done in seclusion and in complete harmony with the mind body and soul.

 

· Chose a piece of music that you feel connected to before you start

· Be alert to its every beat and then join with free body movements

· Go with the flow and don’t look where your arms and legs are going.

· After you have danced enough, sit down on a Chair or on the floor with your hands on your knees and eyes gently closed. Let your heart beats become normal. Breathe gently and reflect on positive thoughts about yourself and others and for world peace. Gradually bring your focus on your inner soul and thank God for the amazing gift of life.

· As the process of mediation ends, gently open your eyes and sense a feeling of refreshment and rejuvenation inside you.

 

How dance counters negative emotions

We all have basic goodness. Each one of us has it. But, factors like ego, anger, hatred, jealousy, possessiveness all tend to counter affect our basic good qualities as a normal human. We are all born with basic good qualities to adjust and remain happy. However as time lies we tend to attract negative emotions and fail to rise above themselves. As children we danced carelessly, aimlessly and forgot anyone who was watching us. But now as adults we tend to get cautious if anyone looks at us. This feeling has to go since dancing does not hold any inhibitions. It is a like a free bird spreading its wings and flying high in the sky. Meditative dance brings compassion, humor, insight, wisdom, joy. Our basic nature is peace and freedom; we should not blur it with confusion. Let dance be the form of divine meditation to color your life and make it enriching and supreme. Real mediation is effortless and spontaneous. We need to keep that freshness intact by practicing this form of mediation in our daily schedule. When we are dancing we are not aware where the next beat will take us. We are in complete control of the music. Nothing seems to disturb us. Then we are in touch with our spontaneous perfection. This is dance of spiritual enlightenment. Now we have entered an awakened state. This refers to love, peace, unity, respect, and a screed outlook.

 

Don’t be afraid to listen to your heart. Start living now. You have lived for everyone. But now live for yourself. Whatever your age, get on your dancing shoes and get ready to move because your movement is the path to self realization; the path of spiritual upliftment.