When I first developed Heart and Soul Method, I didn’t know how people would respond to including Dance Movement as part of a Hatha vinyasa flow. The more I taught it to large classes at gyms, yoga studios, and in one-on-one sessions, the more I realized how fun and healing this combination together in one class was for people. Those that would never find themselves ever in a dance class came up to me, thanking me for giving them the opportunity to move their body in a way that they were afraid to before or had never had that chance. Overtime the students that came in more rigid, judgmental, and overly cautious, began to let down their guard. They seemed happier, more joyful, and in less pain with every class. This is the healing power of dance movement. Simply swaying the hips, extending the arms, memorizing choreography, can lead someone to what is possible in their mind and imagination.
I added dance movement to this method because I remembered as a child growing up going to dance class, feeling the music, moving in rhythm with my friends, and feeling a creative force of clean energetic love flow through me and I wanted to bring that feeling to others. Over the years, developing this gift of movement allowed me to work out my emotional turmoils. If I was feeling sad, angry, or overly emotional about something, I would turn to the dance floor to release these blocks out of the many layers of my body to feel renewed once again.
Although dance movement as apart of this method is not a dance class, the 10- 15 minutes of sequenced, repetitive dance movement choreography is time to move in a more dynamic way. A time to focus on coordination with all parts of the body with memorization to movement, a time to learn the sequences well so that it becomes fluid with the music. A time to enjoy learning how to gain control of your body through the dance movement.
When we refine all of these aspects of ourselves through this practice, bringing awareness to the many layers of our being, different parts of our brain are activated. Deep rooted traumas, fears, and grief, are uprooted as the awareness to those dormant parts of ourselves are brought to light, then released. Dance movement is dynamic movement that ushers in the clean energy that is called vitality. And this heals.
Dance movement then, as apart of a yoga class in this method, is a wellness modality. It is in the middle of a Hatha Vinyasa Flow as to nurture the student into slowly opening up the body for more dynamic movement, then to cool it down through yoga moon postures, to ease the body/mind back into a more calm state, ending in a long savasana (final relaxation at the end of class laying on your back). It is a way to move from darkness to light and to have fun doing it. As it is in a yoga class not a dance class, more of a ‘come as you are’ nurturing environment, helps students to feel more okay in there bodies no matter their size, ethnic background, race, or religion. My classes are for all who have the willingness to want to become healthy and to feel better with the compassion I give to them as my students.
It had become clear that with each chakra and it’s qualities, there was a music and a style of dance to go with it. The earth element is tribal about survival, so I incorporated hiphop and tribal influences to hiphop music. The water element is about sensuality and flow so moving the hips to passionate or sensual music seemed like a no brainer. The moon energy that domniates that part of the body goes well with reggae music as well with it’s laid back vibe. The fire element turned me to jazz with rock music, 80’s music, and todays best hits. While the air element of the heart reminded me of the gracefullness of ballet, lyrical, and modern dance to love songs or songs that open the heart through empowerment.
So, Heart and Soul Method is full of classes that are well designed with wellness modalities that create better overall wellbeing. Dance Movement with the different chakras is what truly makes this method unique, unlike any other methods or classes that can be found. I love it and I know you will too.
To sign-up for classes, personal wellness retreats, or teacher training, visit the yoga & wellness page for more details.