Tag Archives: ecstatic dance

Out Of The Comfort Zone And Into The Big Picture!

Posted on December 16, 2015 | Leave a comment

love bubble heartMy Beloved and I are riding the edge at the moment with our finances and with lots of churning ‘stuff’ which is coming up as we challenge old ways of viewing ourselves. “The Love Bubble Presents” is a bold vision and requires us to step out of our comfort zone in order to benefit not only ourselves, but to contribute to the larger community. The idea of giving back is incredibly important to both of us but we are looking for our own unique way of doing this. The thing is if you can truly express your talents and creativity in the world you are putting a new blueprint up into the morphogenic field. The more who do this the easier it becomes for anyone on the planet to move into that kind of space.

calm and love bubbles

With “The Love Bubble Presents” we plan to create a program that can assist more people into becoming more of who they are. In the process my Beloved and I are stepping into a bigger role than we have played heretofore and it is certainly an interesting process to see what kinds of things come up. And it will enhance our empathy with our clients as we continue shedding the obstacles that have held us back from wholeness. I have found in my own personal journey that the more I am prepared to let go of, the more sensitive and empathic I have become.

letting-go

My Beloved will explain things to the thinkers and give them an experience of sitting meditation, from there I will take them into their bodies so that the information is grounded. The feelers are catered for here as well, that’s me to a tee, I never really feel like I ‘know’ something until I can feel it in my body. And it will be fun too, who said that opening up to new things couldn’t be fun! In workshops we will probably finish with an ecstatic dance, what a wondrous way to process energies that may be moving in the body after going through various processes.

Ecstatic Dance Spirit in Earth Celebration

So we are inspired but also navigating rather uncomfortable states that are getting triggered as we unfold into an amazing new beginning. I am doing my best to be curious about the more challenging ‘stuff’, something I have had plenty of practice in on the crisis phones as a matter of fact. And of course my Beloved and I always have each other so there is a wonderful playmate to laugh and to cry with. As long as the energies keep moving I reckon it’s going to be just fine!

ecstaticdancer2

Namaste.

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Inner Journey Leads To A Compelling Vision.

Posted on December 3, 2015 | Leave a comment

courtly loveAnd so the story continues and our hero and heroine go on an intrepid inner journey to find their compelling vision! In the course of this epic adventure they have fun, get scared, and become even more deeply connected than they already were. Something I am learning about love and connection is that there is no limit, at least not one that I have noticed in our two years together, and in that time I have gone more deeply into love than ever before. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving and cradles me regardless of what may be going on in my everyday reality. And from this strong and beautiful place our shared vision has been born in a very tangible form.

bubble love

So you heard it here first, there is a new brand on the way and it is called “The Love Bubble Presents!” My Beloved and I are the creators of this particular bubble, we heard it reflected back to us for long enough that we decided that maybe it is a good name for our job on the planet. So there is a bit of work to be done before we start putting out some information about this project but if you want to catch up with us before Christmas and you are in Maleny or Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast, come to the next Ecstatic Dance. https://www.facebook.com/groups/malenydance/  Otherwise you can wait and tune in for dharma, meditation and movement, all in one class with two awesome facilitators. And that’s all I’m prepared to put in print at this moment in time.

Ecstatic Dance Spirit in Earth Celebration

And I’m living in the midst of great beauty and the westering sun is glowing in the sky and nature’s bright pageant draws me out into the place where I am in this very moment. So I will say goodbye and look forward to connecting with you next week my lovelies! Namaste…..

And if you are not on Facebook then click here if you want to read about our Ecstatic Dance Events that happen once a month. You will find the details of when and where and how much!
https://throughthevortex.org/ecstatic-dance/

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Dancing The Earth, Dancing Myself!

Posted on June 3, 2015 | Leave a comment

transparent-bodies-moving1I had the best dance last Sunday! With the theme being ‘Songs for the Earth’ the music was very earthy and tribal and feminine, I felt a huge sense of release and an unfolding of trust. The sprung wooden floor is wonderful to move upon, I spent time on the floor as I explored the various levels possible and I could feel Mother Earth’s support. A wonderful place to dance but at night the bright lights are a bit too much and unfortunately can;t be dimmed. So next time in about a week and a half we will take lamps and fairy lights to create a better atmosphere. A magical space where people can let go into their own personal flow and connect in with the energies of the others present, the earth, the galaxy, the whole of creation!

mother earth

And most of all to have a really good dance, to move and stretch the body with joyful abandon so that I feel a bit sore the next day the way one does after a good yoga class. My Beloved and I are hatching a plan so that I can do his chill out yoga class each week, a gentle supported practice that invites deep opening in a place where one can truly let go. Just that simple fact of letting go is a powerful shift of energy that helps me to feel trusting and much clearer in myself. This combined with regular dancing may be my new physical practice, after all dance has always been my medicine.

My Beloved and I all dressed up and dancing! Photo by Antara May.

My Beloved and I all dressed up and dancing! Photo by Antara May.

I am so looking forward to the next Ecstatic Dance and all the future events we will facilitate through the year. I love creating sacred space and that is the strong focus we will bring to these occasions. This first one in the new space ended up being a little unprepared owing to the chaotic life events that my Beloved and I have been swimming in. But we got excellent feedback from those who joined us in the dance and with each experience we will grow and expand.

Big Rainbow

Is life not a wondrous dance!

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My Body As A Prayer: Let’s Dance!

Posted on May 27, 2015 | Leave a comment

danceI am a bit sick of this whole impermanence business so there is only one thing left to do! DANCE, DANCE AND DANCE! Moving the body in space is still my favourite medicine and I haven’t been doing nearly enough of that in recent weeks. So our ecstatic dance events are coming back just in time to keep me on track and get my body moving and grooving to an inner flow of transformation. And sharing that flow with other moving enthusiasts as we create an ocean of love over a couple of hours of dance. That sounds very much like heaven to me!

ecstatic-dance-red

My Beloved and I did manage some dance while we were away from the Magic Kingdom and I could so feel the difference in my body even just spending an hour or so in a movement practice. So I continue to hold the intention of spending more time in that creative space as I am motivated by the imperative of once again holding space for the dance. Why there often seems like so much resistance to things that are fun and very good for me I really don’t know. But I will be like a dog with a bone and just keep intending until I have worn out all that resistance!

Ecstatic Dance Silhouette

So what is it like to come along to one of our ecstatic dances? There is always a theme and for our return we are finally going to have the opportunity to embody “Songs for the Earth”. Actually the sub-heading could easily be: after the landslide! If you would like to read that story then check out “The Earth Moved As I Expand Into My Infinite Self“. We begin in a circle and invite everyone to bring an intention to the dance, you may want to explore a particular issue in your life or you may simply desire to dance joyfully with an open heart! There is a warm-up for the first 10 minutes or so as you have the opportunity to come fully into your body, then the journey begins.

Here is a song that is a part of the playlist for this Sunday, the song is Gula Gula and the artist is Mari Boine:

We always try to have a variety of music and there are times when it is not what people would normally dance to. I always encourage them to get out of their comfort zone and allow their bodies to find a way of navigating the sonic landscape even when it seems a bit strange. To surrender to the flow of your body and let yourself move from that place, it can be like a moving meditation.

To sweat is to pray, to make an offering of your innermost self. Sweat is holy water, prayer beads, pearls of liquid that release your past. Sweat is an ancient and universal form of self healing, whether done in the gym, the sauna, or the sweat lodge. I do it on the dance floor. The more you dance, the more you sweat. The more you sweat, the more you pray. The more you pray, the closer you come to ecstasy. ~ Gabrielle Roth, Sweat Your Prayers: http://www.5rhythms.com/gabrielle-roths-5rhythms/the-dancing-path/sweat-your-prayers/

gabrielle roth 1

Gabrielle Roth.

So whatever your intention the opportunity is there for transformation as we create the sacred space of the dance. Laughter, tears and sweat, a great recipe on the roads to ecstasy!

Aho!

 

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Dancing All Of Me!

Posted on March 11, 2015 | Leave a comment

mother_earth with rainbowI am so looking forward to doing our dance journeys again, recently paused by Mother Earth as she made our venue inaccessible with a very large earth slide across the very long and steep driveway. I was so wanting to do the dance and starting to look at venues to try to get it up in a couple of weeks when my shoulder and neck went out. I was in a lot of pain and it was challenging to turn my head left.

body in space

I took it as a message to slow down, of course I would be continuing to facilitate dance journeys with my Beloved. I just needed to let go of a bit of frantic energy that was pushing me out of the flow. From that came the notion to have the next dance the weekend after Easter on the Sunday, plenty of time to sort out a venue and let everyone know.

letting-go

In fact I seem to be letting a few things go at the moment, in a variety of ways but moving energies in love-making is probably my personal favourite! That and dancing, need to do more dancing and spread the word to the faithful out in the world. Dance any way you like, on your own or with others, learning steps or free form, be yourself. Oh I can’t wait for the next big dance, “Songs for the Earth” which was, hilariously, our theme on that fateful afternoon. We will probably tweak it a bit but not too much, it’s a really awesome play list. Life is movement, life is fun, dancing as a spiritual practice, body based, yum.

Gabrielle Roth

“If you put the body in motion, you will change. You are meant to move: from flowing to staccato, through chaos into lyric and back into the stillness from which all movement comes………..The spirit in motion heals, expands, circles in and out of the body, moving us through the layers of consciousness from inertia to ecstasy. Open to the spirit, and you will be transformed.”

Maps to Ecstasy, Gabrielle Roth, Nataraj Publ., Novato, CA, 1989.

See amazing footage of Gabrielle Roth filmed by Michelle Mahrer in 2003: https://vimeo.com/57105745

Check out our dance on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/malenydance/

or send us an email at malenydance@gmail.com

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The Dance Is The Balancing Act Of Life!

Posted on March 4, 2015 | Leave a comment
Mother Nature's Balancing Act!

Mother Nature’s Balancing Act!

Things move afoot and the dance is to surrender to the wave of life force energy even when there is pain. There are lessons to be learned in surrendering to what is, even as you may be aware of positive changes that may help you navigate your journey.  It’s a balancing act but if you remain open to the wonder and joy of life then you find you are much more open to miraculous possibility. Here am I feeling somewhat sorry for myself as my shoulder flares up yet again, possibly even worse this time! Not fun but I do try to surrender and lo and behold my landlady gives me a lesson in binding myself with yoga straps and helping my shoulder no end.

Mine is across the top of the chest but you get the idea!

Mine is across the top of the chest but you get the idea!

The dance has been much upon my mind and even as I may retreat a little as I take good care of my sore bits, it is still swirling around. Not sure of a venue at this very moment so feeling the urge to share and a bit frustrated that it may be a while before we manage to do another dance. More than anything I feel that I need to be gentle and kind with me and let myself have a day off, at least until it’s time to go to work tonight!

So I will keep this short and finish by sharing with you my latest favourite bit of music, from a band called Lamb who have an awesome song called ‘Gorecki’ that we have used in more than one playlist. ‘All In Your Hands’ will definitely be making it on to a playlist once we get rolling again in the wave of ecstasy that is created by gathering people and giving them the space to express themselves  in movement to music.

Enjoy the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dWzbG2ie4M

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The Earth Moved As I Expand Into My Infinite Self!

Posted on February 25, 2015 | 2 comments

new moon feb 2015I know I said I would write a post on dance this week, but there is too much going on that I would like to talk about. Last week I was exploring being triggered and challenging the programming that wanted to catastrophise the possible outcomes. It ended up being fine and now I just need to be ok with uncertainty and to keep doing things that I love and especially loving me. That doesn’t however stop me from being affected by the planets, or so it would seem! We just had a New Moon on the cusp of Aquarius and Pisces, it heralded the beginning of the Chinese New Year. Haven’t had a chance to check out what that is all about but I think it’s the year of the sheep or goat.

year of the sheep goat

Mystic Mamma said that it meant true fundamental change , and I do know that Pisces is emotional and watery. Where I live we’ve had a cyclone and then a big storm bringing us tons of rain so it seemed very watery indeed, I got all excited tonight when I looked up into the sky and could see stars! It’s been quite a few days since we saw anything but clouds and I am in the hills so we got mist too. Very Mists of Avalon!

mists-of-avalon

So there was the rain and that seemed a bit epic even though the cyclone kept being downgraded. But the real dramatic conclusion to the weekend came as my Beloved and I drove down the long steep driveway that leads down to our dance venue. It’s called Worldview and has views to the coast, it truly does feel as if you can see the world from that place. So here we are going down the driveway when my Beloved stops the car about a third of the way down. It took both of us a moment or two to process what was in front of us, the huge presence of earth and busted trees. All of a sudden our forward momentum was completely halted and it was very clear that we were not going to be running a dance that night after all.

earth slide

Not our earthslide but you get the idea! Much greener in my part of the world.

The interesting thing is that on some  level I wasn’t entirely surprised, our theme was “Songs for the Earth” and here we were faced literally with the element of Earth. Seems that the Mother didn’t want us to do our dance last Sunday, we did a journey ourselves instead and I received a big vision about taking our dance out into the wider community. Doesn’t mean we won’t keep dancing close to home but it is something we really enjoy and would like to share with as many people as possible. There is a part of me that is a bit confronted by this notion but I am determined to explore the possibilities that spring up in the wake of this vision. Or at least take the first exploratory step in the direction of this vision, if I focus on the steps one at a time I won’t get overwhelmed and the part of me that is a bit scared will cope much better.

ecstaticdancer2

There is massive change moving deeply within me and if I manage it well it may well bring some very positive shifts and changes into the life that my Beloved and I are creating together. So plan one step at a time, love myself and what I do, and remember to laugh as much as possible, a recipe for a happy and fulfilling life!

Big Rainbow

May all of you out there be happy and well, love and blissings to you all!

 

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2015 Is All About Transformation And Change.

Posted on February 18, 2015 | Leave a comment

Ecstatic Dance SilhouetteOne thing is quite sure about this journey through a physical incarnation, as we expand into our fullness there are many opportunities to practice new understandings. That’s if you happen to be paying attention, and why wouldn’t you in this marvelous and magical creation that is the planet Gaia! As a matter of fact the next theme for our Ecstatic Dance is “Songs of the Earth”. so my Beloved and I are in the process of exploring this notion in the form of a sonic landscape. How people choose to move through it is their choice, a mirror of where they are in their journey. More on ecstatic dance next week but if you would like to check out details on our next dance here is the link to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/malenydance/

ecstatic-dance-red

I have been feeling strong energies since the summer solstice of 2014 and it just keeps getting stronger as we move through the early months of 2015. I’m no expert on astrology so when I want to know more about what I’m feeling I often have a look at Mystic Mamma: http://www.mysticmamma.com/wiping-the-slate-clean-astrology-for-february-2015-by-sarah-varcas/ We have two new moons in February and the one that is coming in on 18/19 is on the cusp of Aquarius and Pisces. I know a bit about Aquarius as it is my sun sign and this moon is all about commitment to fundamental change.

Aquarius

I’ve noticed old beliefs and patterns of behaviour being massively challenged already and as such they can be very uncomfortable indeed. This happened for me a week and a half ago and I had the opportunity to watch my reactions as I was very triggered by an incident that occurred. Then there was a waiting period where I didn’t know if I would have to deal with it the next week or not. I tuned in and was told that it wouldn’t happen again but I watched my mind doing its best to catastrophise possible outcomes. A book I’ve been reading about a near death experience was incredibly helpful as I was reminded to focus on loving myself and what I do. My mind would try to fall into the old pattern and each time I noticed this I replaced it with thoughts of how much I love what I do. It was particularly interesting to notice how attached I felt to the negative projections into the future.

loving self to me

So I’ve decided to really focus on this tendency for my mind to run into negative grooves, and when I notice that it’s happening, to switch gears into a more positive frame. Just been tested again actually, had an email to do with work that has set the fear in my belly moving once again. So I’m sitting here and focusing on loving myself as I encourage my mind to explore the positive outcomes, which are in fact much more likely to occur anyway! It would be easy to go into overwhelm at this point so I will give myself a bit of time with this issue and then let it go for the evening.

magic-wand

Ahhhh for a magic wand ! Mmmmmmmm………oh that’s right, I am the magic wand!! And so are you, and you and you………… lets all be the marvelous creatures that we truly are, much love and blissings to you all.

 

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The Soft Animal Of Your Body.

Posted on October 26, 2014 | Leave a comment

Melting into a soft warm flow of loving creative energy, feeling the interconnectedness of all people, all things. There is a way of surrendering into the moment that will serve one very well indeed, whether that moment be perceived as happy or sad. Clearing the shadows away with more and more an ecstatic glow, challenges lead to growth and being seen in all my glory!

Movement is the melt in the glow of radiant hearts and candles, energy moving through its paces and clearing the pathways that life desires to lift in joy and inspiration. Until you may even feel as if you are floating upon the earth rather than stepping on it, and yet you can always feel the Mother’s heartbeat.

mother earth

Much of this flow of consciousness is informed by my experience of facilitating an ecstatic dance with the theme being: The Divine Dance Between The Masculine And The Feminine. I can feel that there will be more to say on this subject but if you are intrigued you will have to wait until Wednesday to hear more. The stew needs to simmer some more and I am tired and needing to take care of myself on a supremely busy day!

This poem feels like me in this moment!

Wild Geese

 
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
 
from Dream Work by Mary Oliver
published by Atlantic Monthly Press
© Mary Oliver

 

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Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Reality.

Posted on August 10, 2014 | Leave a comment

ecstatic danceIt’s been a huge week and my Beloved and I are facilitating an ecstatic dance tonight, after that we will be driving an hour to go and dance some more! Free form dance was the only thing I couldn’t seem to get much of in my wonderful little country town so now my life is truly complete. But this also makes us extremely busy and we plan to lay low and do very little tomorrow so I am writing this post now so that you can read it as part of your own lazy Sunday.

The week before this one I had to go into work for some training, I’m stepping up into a supervisory role and as a part of that it was necessary to do some role plays. This is the sort of thing that can really stress a girl out and there was a time when it surely did, you’d think an ex-actor wouldn’t be concerned but I would get sooo nervous! Now I get a bit of a flutter in my belly but there isn’t any fear, in fact a part of me actually looks forward to getting in there and giving it a go.

transcendance

The difference is all about attitude, I remind myself that this is a training session and therefore I don’t have to get everything right and perfect. In fact you often learn more from mistakes, sometimes they can provide a bit of humour too which helps even more to relax and enjoy the experience. So something that I once would have dreaded becomes an interesting way to spend an hour and at the end of it I have a bit more knowledge and skill than I started with.

ohmshanti

So simple isn’t it but that one little tweak in consciousness creates a very different reality to  the story I used to run and I am much happier as a result. So if there is an aspect of your life that doesn’t please you, think about how you might be able to change the story and therefore change the outcomes. Something to think about as you enjoy your Sunday!

Love and blissings!!!!!!!!!!!

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