America is experiencing a dance renaissance. Thanks to the success of TV shows like “Dancing With The Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” people are starting to dance again.
In this era of personal trainers and hi-tech exercise equipment, dance exercise classes and videos are achieving to new heights of popularity.
From ancient times people enjoyed coming together to move and communicate non-verbally. Looking back at the history of dance virtually every community gained togetherness by dancing to ensure a good harvest, asking for rain, or celebrating a season. There are folk dances representing movement styles from every part of the world.
Expressive movement comes from a natural place within us. We’re all born knowing how to move. It’s innate, part of our humanity. As kids, we stamp our feet when angry, flail our bodies when frustrated and jump for joy. Humans have been expressing themselves through movement since the beginning of time.
That movement has a purpose. It was never suppose to go away. But somehow, our so-called modern culture saw that release of tension, that form of human expression as primitive. So we have been repressing it for hundreds of years.
Our technology has brought us some great things. But it negates that part of who we are. We hardly have to move anymore and so we don’t — until we see ourselves falling apart at middle age. Turns out, movement was never primitive at all!
It’s primal! Primal is natural. Primal is good. It’s part of who we are, what we’re meant to be.
Studies show that expressive movement can help heal physical ailments and relieve psychological trauma. It can also get you fit, and Fitness = Longevity.
Get back in touch with that part of yourself that knows how to move, and feel better because of it. Tap into that mind-body connection that’s been there waiting for you. Release yourself from the conventional hard-body exercise experience.
Get back to your roots at this important time in your life. It’s as simple as turning on some music and dancing to the beat. Go ahead. Dance yourself fit.
Mirabai can be reached at: www.movingfree.com. Mirabai Holland M.F.A. is one of the leading authorities in the Health & Fitness industry. She is Director of Fitness and Wellness Programs at the 92nd Street Y in NYC. Her practice specializes in preventive and rehabilitative exercise for women. Her Moving Free approach to exercise is designed to provide a movement experience so pleasant it doesn’t feel like work.
