Monthly Archives: August 2013

Dance. It Makes You Better.

Hoop Dance, Inspiration, Sacred Dance, , , , , ,

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This awesome stencil that I found somewhere on facebook really says it all. I don’t know where it came from (if it’s yours or you know who I can attribute it to, please let me know). But it’s so succinct, I had to share.

‘Every time I dance, I turn into a better version of me’.

Here’s an example:

A couple years ago, two days before my wedding, I was getting a little stressed out about the details. I was snappy, defensive and felt like everything was a looming disaster.  My husband and sister couldn’t talk me down, so they just handed me a hoop and said “Dance! We’ll be back in an hour or so. Just dance it out.”

Of course after 15 minutes of moving to music everything seemed right in the world again. An hour later, I couldn’t even remember what I had been upset about.  (BTW, I wasn’t a bridezilla at all. That was one of only two times I kind of freaked out. I was a chill bride, I swear!)

Anyway. Some people run to blow off steam, some people knit. I love to dance, with or without my hoops because it makes me better in every way, every time I do it.

It’s great exercise obviously, and it gets all your endorphins going, so you feel good doing it (and afterwards), but unlike just running or doing yoga, I get to be creative. It’s easy to drop into that beautiful flow state  that sends my conscious mind to the back burner while my body and spirit take the wheel. I feel a sense of peace and oneness that transcends the personal experience I’m having and puts me in touch with the greater picture.

Dancing makes me happy. It feels celebratory. Or, it can feel incredibly emotional in other ways; sad, angry, lonely, scared… But dancing out those emotions is so cathartic that it swings back to happy. Or at least peaceful.

For years, whenever I’ve asked for guidance (from above, from my inner self, from the universe, which ever), the message I almost invariably receive is ‘Dance!’.

Not only does it make me better, it makes the world better. Every time you dance, you make the world a better place. Even if it’s a dance of sadness, of pain, of anger or frustration, it makes the world better.

Dancing is the expression of your essence. As you move, you let yourself be known.

“Dance is the only art of which we ourselves are the stuff of which it is made.”

Ted Shawn

This art, this essence expression makes you a better version of yourself. Every time you move authentically, you level up at life. You are here to be you. Every time you dance, you let your soul qualities shine through. Through dance, you  allow your most radiant self to shine through.

“As we let our light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence actually liberates others.”- Marianne Williamson

 

Imagine a world where everyone allowed their most radiant inner light shine through.

What would that look like?

What would that feel like?

Imagining it gives me  warm fuzzies and chills all at the same time.

Our joyful movement raises the collective vibration and illuminates the world.

Our dance is revolutionary.

“Just Dance.”

-Lady Gaga

I’ll leave you with a great hoop dance jam I had the other day.

I found some music that moved me, almost to tears and I had to hoop it out.

A Day of Radical, Spontaneous Forgiveness (Big, Small, Nothing At All)

Inspiration, Spirit, , , ,

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Today I’ve been guided to spend time releasing old irritations I’ve had with everyone in my life, including myself. I’ve never really been one to hold a grudge, and I’ve forgiven all the major grievances I’ve ever had with anyone, but I hadn’t given much thought to those minor grievances and annoyances.

I have been rereading Doreen Virtue’s book “The Lightworker’s Way“, and I came across a section that I must have just skipped over last time. I seem to recall reading it and thinking I would come back to do the exercise, but never did. The basic premise is that holding any unforgiveness creates blocks in your energy field which will interfere with your intuition and your health. To begin clearing this energy, write down the name of everyone who has every irritated you. The list will probably be pages and pages long. You can include yourself, people you haven’t thought of in years and years, even pets! Then, in a distraction free environment, go through the names on your list one by one, holding the mental image of the person as you say (aloud or in your head) “I forgive and release you. I hold no unforgiveness back. My forgiveness is total. I am free and you are free.”

It might take a half hour to go through the list. I started by speaking aloud, but eventually switched to speaking in my head. As well as individuals, I started picturing whole buildings (like former places of employment), and cities (all the cities in which I’ve lived). After this process, I felt incredibly light and definitely free. Like I cleared out so much gunk in my soul and being, which feels awesome. I feel like I made more room for all the awesome stuff like love and joy as I released resentment and irritation which had been with me for years!

Doreen also recommends doing a quick version of this every night, before going to sleep to clear the energy field. I imagine I’ll sleep better after doing this  and I can’t wait to try it.

Shortly after doing this exercise, a video came up in my facebook newsfeed from one of my favorite spiritual teachers, Matt Khan from True Divine Nature. It’s called The Ultimate Surrender: 

I highly, highly recommend watching this, to have forgiveness re-framed for you entirely. In fact, watch everything he has on Youtube. He transmits a beautiful, relaxing divine energy when he speaks, and the energy reminds me that there is nothing to forgive, as everything, including you,  is perfect as is.

 

It’s Time To Shine, Radiant Ones!

Astrology, Elemental Forces Of Creation, , ,

 

Astrologically speaking, we spent the last month diving deep into the emotional realms with the archetype of Cancer, a sign ruled by the moon. This was a time to be focused on nurturing, comfort and personal growth. It was the perfect time to do that healing work, and I just so  happened to be in Atlanta with Lisa Michaels, certifying as a Natural Rhythms conscious dance facilitator. It was an amazingly supportive environment for personal growth and I was able to really dig down into the messy stuff and dance it out while I was there. But as a really fiery, earthy person myself, the watery emotional stuff always makes me a bit uncomfortable and although I’m grateful for all the lessons that the realm of feelings impart, I’m also SUPER grateful to be back in my comfort zone!

Today is the start of the Leo new moon, and the sun is also in Leo. Double Leos! What does it mean? Well, Leo is fiery action sign all about self-love, so it’s time to ramp up your radiant inner light! Shining your own light is a gift to the world as it inspires others and gives them permission to do the same! It’s time to celebrate the gorgeous awesome radiant light being who YOU are!

We are constantly receiving messages that we need to contain our fire and our radiance. Humility is a virtue and we don’t want to appear conceited or like we’re showing off. It’s a fine line, for sure and as in all things, we need to strike a balance. But Leo teaches us how to strike that perfect balance by allowing us to use our radiant self love to illuminate the world and make it a better place. It isn’t about showing off, it’s about allowing the light within us to shine as brightly as it can.

This makes this month a spectacular time to focus on illuminating your true self. Let your true essence be seen. The Real You is more inspiring than any image or idea you have about who you “should” be. The Real You is brilliant, and beautiful beyond all imagination. We are, at our core, beings of pure light who have chosen to come into these physical forms to have an experience! We should enjoy our physical bodies as well as our souls! Have fun adorning yours! This is a perfect time to take really good care of this body you’ve decided to inhabit!  There is nothing conceited about making yourself look and feel fantastic!

I’m planning on using this mega double down Leo energy to it’s full potential. I’m wearing more sparkles than usual, and I’m getting a hair cut tomorrow!  I’m also in the process of packing up all my greatest costumes for Shambhala Music Festival, (my happy place) where I’ll be dancing and celebrating my joyful radiant self all weekend, with ten thousand other beautiful, shiny, happy, radiant beings of light, dressed up and having some of their finest human experiences!

 

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