How Can Conscious Dance Help My Everyday Life?
- julia7631
- Aug 19
- 3 min read
Stressful and challenging. That just about sums up modern life. In fact if we don’t create spaces and places for rest and release on a regular basis we can end up not sleeping, with relationship breakdown and a host of mental and physical difficulties. One place to start is to think about what you enjoy. For me, that was dancing, it appears the same is true for many others. Dance is a great antidote to stress and can make a real difference to our day-to-day existence.
A Long Time Ago
Astonishingly, humans are pretty much the only species to dance merely for cultural and artistic expression. We’ve been doing it since time began and dance appears in nearly every culture in the world. Group bonding for survival was the original reason that dance evolved for humans, alongside religious practices, storytelling, ritual and celebration. And it’s still with us, it’s in our roots!
Everyday Life
If your life feels a bit stressful, repetitive, sedentary, narrow, non-stop, lonely, one-dimensional then introducing dancing might be exactly what you need. It offers a vibrant environment to connect with yourself and others, and to creatively express your thoughts and feelings. If you practice conscious dance (see below) then you will have built in time for slowing down and resting too.
Daytime Clubbing
My recent blog post, A Beginner’s Guide to Conscious Raving tracks the rise in popularity of daytime clubbing. Tired of late nights, hangovers and waiting for the night bus home, there is a whole generation of people keen to strut their stuff without the inconvenience of nighttime activity.
These daytime clubs operate in a similar way to regular clubs: there’s a bar, people dress up for the occasion, and you can chat on and off the dance floor. This dancing option might perfectly float your boat, especially if you are of an older generation harking back to the raving days of your youth. Your everyday life could definitely experience an uptick in joy, fun and group bonding. A chance to let your hair down (if you’ve got any left!)
What is Conscious Dance?
Essentially conscious dance is not the opposite of unconscious dance, rather it is the opposite to self-conscious dance. The process invites participants to become aware of their breath and body sensations, and to naturally follow movement impulses as they arise. It features a curated music soundscape. There are no right or wrong moves, just the freedom of listening and following yourself. People are invited to leave the chat at the door. There are no drugs or alcohol involved.
Some people don’t like the terminology of conscious dance, preferring terms like Ecstatic Dance, Movement Meditation or Somatic Movement.
10 Traits of Conscious Dance
Another of my recent blog posts, Dance for Life: The 10 Traits of Conscious Dance, outlines the features of conscious dance. Amongst other features, these sessions will take place in the day or early evening, they will be led by someone trained in this type of practice. It is less about having to look or be a certain way on the dance floor, and more about finding movement for exactly as you are, moment-to-moment. It’s about being present: physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. It is beyond doubt something that could enhance your daily life.
Psychological Benefits of Conscious Dance
Having worked in the field of mental and emotional health for several decades as a psychotherapist, I have witnessed the substantial impact that talking therapy can make to people’s everyday lives. This would be no surprise to most people.
What is equally clear to me and probably less well-known, is the significant impact of conscious dance to everyday life. From the social and community aspects of these sessions, to the health, wellbeing and anti-aging aspects, there is much to be gained for everyone.
Fitter, Happier, Less Stressed, More Social… you can’t argue with that.
Come and give it a go. I offer sessions both online and in person. No experience needed and all abilities welcome
Book my dance sesssions here www.flomotion.dance/bookings
Buy my book, Dance for Life, here
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