How has dance shaped me?
Dance has profoundly shaped me by transforming my relationship with my body, teaching me to partner with it rather than oppose it, and enabling me to quiet my mind and follow my body's intuition.
Engaging with dance has been a journey of self-discovery, significantly altering how I perceive and interact with my physical self. Initially, there was a disconnect, a feeling of dragging the body along. However, a pivotal shift occurred when the approach changed to moving with the body.
Building a Partnership with the Body
Instead of treating the body as merely a vessel or even an obstacle, dance fostered an understanding of it as a partner. This shift in perspective was crucial. Dance helped me to understand that I needed to stop treating my body like an afterthought or an adversary. Recognizing the body's capabilities and working in harmony with it became the foundation of this transformation.
- Moving with the body became the new focus.
- The body was no longer seen as something to be dragged but a collaborator.
- This perspective change addressed the tendency to treat the body as an afterthought or an adversary.
The Mind-Body Connection Through Movement
One of the most powerful lessons learned through dance is the ability to shift focus from the analytical mind to the intuitive body. Once this partnership approach began, the practice of releasing mental control and allowing the body to guide the movement started to develop naturally.
Once I started moving through my dance journey WITH my body rather than dragging it along for the ride, I noticed that turning my brain off and letting my body lead got easier and easier.
This highlights a critical aspect of how dance shapes an individual:
- Turning the brain off and trusting the body's instincts.
- Allowing the body to lead the movement and the experience.
- The process of surrendering mental control becoming progressively easier with practice.
Through this process, dance becomes more than just physical activity; it becomes a practice of embodied presence and intuitive response. It fosters a deeper connection where the body's wisdom is acknowledged and followed, leading to a more integrated sense of self.
Dance has reshaped my identity by rebuilding the fundamental relationship between mind and body, empowering me to move not just through space, but through life, with greater trust in my physical self.