If you follow me on Instagram you will probably know that I start my days off with a little dance party! While it might look like just a bit of fun to the outside eye - there is actually some really powerful effects that this free movement offers. In this blog I am sharing why I now make dancing a daily ritual - and why I believe everyone would benefit from finding a way to bring in more of this dynamic, explorative movement!

DANCING IS ONE OF THE MOST EMPOWERING WAYS I HAVE CONNECTED TO MY BODY - AND FOR YEARS I DIDN’T DO IT.

I was never elegant or light footed when I was younger. I loved to dance but I believed I wasn’t a natural dancer. In fact I was often referred to as a ‘fairy elephant’! There was not much that was subtle or dainty about me - and so ballet classes and choreographed dance lessons were not really something I took to.

The only time I danced was when I had drunk alcohol. It let my guard down - but it was also an unhealthy mechanism to find myself.

I remember trying to re-ignite my joy for dancing when the craze for Zumba began. I loved it until we moved to a studio with a mirror and the minute I saw myself dancing I cringed and never went back.

I am not very good at following instructions (rebel at heart) and so structured routines were dis-empowering to me - I just felt like I didn’t belong in that setting.

It was actually yoga that has routed me into dancing. When I had the confidence to create my own movement sequences and begin connecting to the way my body wanted to move it brought about a deeper sense of confidence. I learned to listen to my own needs and had the courage to move in a way that felt good instead of feeling like I had to be told how to move my body.

We can often be disempowered when it comes to knowing our own needs - but the body has such wisdom when we give ourselves a chance to listen.

I realised in the last few years that my yoga practice had become less linear and structured and far more free flowing. Anybody that practices with me will be familiar with my ‘wiggly style’ of movement - and when we start to let ourselves move away from the train tracks and into our own patterns - it feels so juicy and delicious.

Reclaiming my inner dancer…

When Sophia was born I managed to keep up a regular yoga practice for a little while - all the time she was static it was fairly easy to keep her entertained with her playmat or her toys - however as soon as she was moving that all changed! Doing a yoga practice with her around mainly looks like me being used as a climbing frame - and that simply isn’t particularly relaxing or pleasurable!

However an embodiment practice is absolutely vital to me to keep me grounded in my body and to give me a chance to unwind any stagnation, release emotions and generally feel good in my physical being.

So my morning dance ritual was born.

I can happily dance around the room - sometimes with Sophia, sometimes without - and find ways to connect in to myself without the need for a big long practice. And actually I can feel similar effects to that of a whole yoga practice in just a few minutes of dancing. It really is an often overlooked magical tool!

My daily commitment is to dance for at least one song and I never regret it.

Some of the reasons I dance…

It rinses out the body and moves any stuck energy
It gives me an opportunity to check in and notice where feels stick or stuck - and then move through those areas
It energises me, and brings a sense of aliveness to my whole being
If I am anxious then it takes me out of my head and into my body
It helps me trust and know my body in a more intimate way
It empowers me and makes me feel sensual and connected to my inner goddess
It is playful and reminds me to take myself less seriously
It helps me express my emotions - frustration, anger, grief, joy, excitement…. all are welcome when I dance.
I use it to embody my intentions.
It raises my heart rate and gets the blood pumping through my whole body
It is an all over body experience
Listening to music can literally transform my mood
It is primal and wild and allows me to freely express my whole self
You can do it anywhere - no equipment necessary!
It makes Sophia laugh!

Now, it took me some time to find the courage to really let myself express this movement freely - but I truly believe it is available to everyone. Even if it is simply a little shrug of the shoulders to begin with.

Fancy trying it?

Pick a song that makes you smile.

Find yourself somewhere you feel secure and not self conscious.

Press play.

Tune in to your body - and if nothing arises - then just fake it a little until you find your groove.

Move your shoulders, your hips, your feet, your arms - and notice where feels more challenging. The first time I did ecstatic dance (in a tent at a festival) I was really aware of my arms - I realised I had felt self conscious about raising my arms and letting them be free. It wasn’t something I had noticed before but once I was aware I could then let myself explore this with curiosity and gradually learn to be more expressive with my upper body.

It is OK if you feel a little awkward - feel into that uncertainty. It can be challenging particularly if you are a perfectionist or don’t spend that much time connecting to your body. We have spent so long being told what to do - when given the chance to be totally free and without ‘rules’ - it often brings up challenging emotions. Be gentle with yourself and take baby steps.

Let the music take you. It doesn’t matter if you are out of rhythm - just dance and see what happens.

When the song finishes, just pause for a moment and see how your body feels. Notice how the energy has shifted.

I would love to know if you give it a try, do share in the comments below or ping me a little email here.

If you need a bit of inspiration to get you started, here is a playlist on Spotify that has a selection of my favourite embodiment songs for connecting in to our feminine superpowers. Click here to listen.