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ANN ARBOR
MASSAGE &
YOGA THERAPY
Dancing Freedom
Put the psyche into motion
and it will heal itself
~ Gabrielle Roth
What is Dancing Freedom?
Dancing Freedom™ is a movement practice that draws upon somatic, shamanic, ecstatic and expressive arts therapies. It's a barefoot dance meditation, set to a soundtrack of world music, influenced by the practices of 5 Rhythms, Authentic Movement, Body-Mind Centering, Yoga, Shamanism, etc. It is ultimately a global practice in service to body-based learning, empowerment and sustainable communities.
What happens?
Each class is a guided, free-form dance using the 5 elements–Earth, Water, Fire, Air, & Ether–as inspiration for our movements and music. Another name for this sequence is an “elemental wave”. It is used as a creative map to guide us home to our bodies and foster mind-body integration in our lives.
As a teacher, my aim is to sense and offer just the right amount of verbal invitations to foster the kind of coherence out of which creative insight can naturally emerge.
After a 60-90 minute facilitated journey, each dancer's experience is deepened with a special "Inner Dance", drawn from a practice called "Authentic Movement". This is a chance to tap into deep resources of the body-mind-spirit. Dancers often find that in these 10 minutes of intensely focused self-inquiry and expression, the strongest "medicine" of the session can be accessed.
The Teachings
Each event is often a different theme– or core teaching–of Dancing Freedom. The practice is a grandchild of many philosophies and practices, and is co-arising as part of a larger genre of movement practices sometimes known as "Somatic Movement Education/Therapy", and sometimes as, "Conscious Dance".
Schedule
Currently, there are no classes scheduled for 2018.
Class Rates:
$15 Drop-in
Packages of 3: $40
Package of 5: $60
Payment can be made by cash or check.
Location
Classes are located at the Riverside Arts Center (76. N. Huron) in downtown Ypsilanti. Entrance is through the Elevator Access (not main entrance). Take the elevator to the 3rd floor (vs. 2nd: Dance Studio). It will be obvious once you get out of the elevator where we're moving!
Our Guidelines​
1. Keep dancing.
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The dance is our meditation. So, we bring our attention again and again back into the dance practice to see what happens, what arises. Even if your movments are micro, motion will help your mind be engaged in the journey no matter what comes up.
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2. Pay attention.
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The depth of your attention and awareness will determine the outcomes of your practice. Attention plus intention create depth in prayer. Place your attention on the dance to find out more about yourself and move more deeply into your potential as a person, as a creator, as consciousness.
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3. This is a Non-Verbal Space.
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Use movement, sound, breath, energy, and go within to connect with yourelf. Singing, humming, and laughing is welcome! Talking during the dance breaks everyone out of the focus we cultivate by staying non-verbal.
4. Dancing With Your Eyes closed – As Much As You Wish.
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Start the dance with your eyes closed. Tune-in to the inner experience of your body and your awareness. Unplug from the labeling and knowing function of the visual sense. During the practice, feel free to work with your eyes opened or closed – to come out into connection or to go within to connect with yourelf.
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5. Touch Is Sacred.
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We make an agreement together that touch–dancing together, or apart–holds a special, non-ordinary place in this kind of dance.Contact improvisation and connection are welcome. Listen to what feels appropriate. Respect your own boundaries and the boundaries of others.
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6. This Is A Substance-free Space.