Dance and movement therapy is gaining popularity with people from all ages and backgrounds who want to explore their emotions and enhance their self-development. Chakradance is one type of dance and movement therapy. As a practice, it combines the elements of the 7-chakra system with free-form movement with specially created music, guided meditation and visualization. Why? To promote healing, balance, and self-awareness.
What are the chakras
Chakras are the energetical focal points primarily used in spiritual practices such as meditation and energy healing modalities such as reiki. Many visualise individual chakras as lotus flower with different numbers of petals spinning and opening and allowing the energy to flow. Sometimes it is too open and sometimes too closed, leaving us feeling unbalanced in our bodies and life in general.
While there are many theories and opinions on the chakras, the modern (and more Western) take on chakras, associate each chakra to themed elements of holistic well-being. These themes, like steppingstones, move us through the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of our lives in order to raise our level of consciousness. Like a map, they take us on a journey from survival, sexuality, self-power, love, our authenticity, insight and ultimately our spirituality. It is a pretty good road map once you get familiar with the layout!
Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens
Chakradance founder Natalie Southgate has beautifully woven Jungian psychology into the program by gently teasing out the unconscious parts of ourselves, to come to light. We touch upon what Carl Jung calls the shadow, and this is where growth and transformation occurs. Overall in Chakradance, we aim to create a sacred, safe and supportive environment as we guide individuals to go on an inner journey of self-discovery, healing and exploration.
Dance is the hidden language of the soul
Facilitators hold sacred space for the participants so that they feel safe to explore their creativity and express themselves through their own unique movements. Through spontaneous dance, we attune to the language of the soul and begin to shift energy in our body to release traumas, emotions, feelings and memories. We often experience physical sensations such as building heat, releasing tears, laughter or other verbal sounds. What all this boils down to, is that the practice meets you where you are at - whether you need to reduce stress, anxiety, or depression, or to increase self-confidence, clarity, purpose and joy.
Music can heal wounds that medicine cannot touch
Chakradance has created super gorgeous chakra specific music tracks that entice your mind to go on a journey and your body into elements of various dance styles, such as African, Indian, and contemporary dance. There are no set moves, we just close our eyes, tune into the vibration of the music and connect with the innate wisdom of our own bodies, emotions, and creativity.
Using creative art to anchor the inner experience into our outer world
After we dance and experience how our chakras are flowing (or not), we sit down and spontaneously let the inner world flow out onto paper. Effectively we create a 'mandala' which can be a literal or symbolic interpretation of the journey. The mandala anchors the inner experience into our outer world and is also a powerful way to re-connect to the energy over a period of time.
Easing modern dis-eases
In shamanic cultures, it has been understood that a lot of our modern day dis-eases are the result from a disconnection to our soul. Chakradance has been created for adults young and old to support their wellness programs. It allows us to attune to the language of our soul, regardless of religious denomination, mental abilities or physical fitness. Additionally, Chakradance is becoming more widely used in educational and community settings and is also available for children with the Inamojo - Chakradance Kids program.
Chakradance truly is a remarkable gift to give yourself, either through a full program of all 7 chakras or a single chakra workshop. Classes can be live in a group or private setting but they may also be available as a downloadable experience for you to use whenever you like.
If you would like to read more about Chakradance, take a look at my programs and offerings here. You will also find there a beautifully crafted and very detailed Chakra Health Check e-book to learn a bit more!
Have a beautiful day!
Heidi Rasikari is certified and experienced in mindful and energetical practices of yoga and Chakradanceâ„¢ movement therapy. Read more About | Heidi Rasikari
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