Dancing is a great way to let off steam and hone in on one's creative side. Pairing it with meditation provides an opportunity to reduce stress, while reaching a deeper state of consciousness.
It has long been associated with religious rituals all over the world. Dance is incorporated into voodoo ceremonies and Native Americans use dance during pow-wows, to name a couple of examples. However, meditative dance does not have to be associated with any religious denomination. It's all about feeling the music and allowing the body to naturally move to the sound.
Choosing Music for Dance Meditation
First, decide what type of dance meditation is desired. If looking for something calm and relaxing, choose some type of melodic, instrumental music. This could be in the form of an acoustical guitar or flute CD. If looking to do more trance-like dancing, it's best to pick something with a repetitive beat like a CD with drum music.
Dance Meditation for Relaxation
Find a place to move about freely without bumping into anything. Be sure to have on comfortable clothing. If possible, go barefoot. Turn on some soothing meditative music and close your eyes. At first, just breath calmly and focus on the music.
When ready, allow the body to move as desired. Don't try to force anything. It could be as subtle as gentle swaying. Just let the body flow with the music while allowing all tension and stress to leave the body. If a desire to twirl comes into play, go ahead and twirl. Just enjoy how light and carefree the music makes the body feel.
Continue to let all of stress make its way out of your body. Once it feels like all the tension is gone, continue moving to the music while envisioning a bright, pure white light surrounding your body. This light is bringing in positive energy to rejuvenate both the mind and the body. Bask in this light as long as desired, then stop dancing and take a minute or two to just listen to the music. When ready, end the meditation.
Trance Dancing Meditation
Before attempting the following meditation, if suffering from epilepsy or severe cardiovascular difficulties, please consult with a doctor as this can be quite a strenuous meditation.
Trance dancing can bring about a euphoric state of altered consciousness. It can be practiced alone or with a group. As with the above mentioned meditation, pick an area where there is room to move about freely. Unless someone if playing music live, put on a CD that plays a steady beat such as a meditative drum CD.
Begin to let your body move to the beat. Put all thoughts out of the mind, except for focusing on the sound of the drums. It is natural for the body to fall into a repetitive movement pattern. Continue to let the music flow through the body. Please know there is no wrong way to move during trance dancing.
If possible, try to do this meditation for half an hour. This will give time for the mind to achieve an altered state of consciousness, which can bring about spiritual enlightenment. When finished, allow the body a cooling down period before resuming the activities for the day.
Always remember with dance meditation, there is no right or wrong way to dance. It's all about letting the body flow to the music. This can empower both the mind and the body to alleviate all stress and allow for relaxation.
Readers may also enjoy Music Meditation CDs along with Relaxing Stress Reduction Meditation DVDs.
Source:
Meditation the Complete Guide, Patricia Monaghan & Eleanor G. Viereck, (New World Library,) 1999.
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