Conscious Dance: 101 modalities that define the movement.
By Mark Metz
Copyright 2011 Mark Metz
Smashwords Edition
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Note
from the Publisher:
This resource directory first
appeared in Conscious Dancer Magazine #12, Fall 2010. It's updated
and presented as an e-book to better serve the growing community. You
may be one of the many people who have the mistaken idea that
"conscious dance", (which could be defined as: movement
with an intention towards greater awareness), is a fringe activity,
something obscure and isolated. But really, when you look at the
explosion of new modalities and ecstatic dance worldwide, it's easy
to see that a movement is being formed across the cultural landscape.
Mind-body fitness is huge, alcohol-free "ecstatic/barefoot/freestyle"
community dances can be found in almost every city, and many studios
opening nowadays are "movement" or "multi-arts."
"Dance is the next yoga" is how one reader phrased it. So
if you just look for the opportunity for your own unique contribution
to "movement for a better world", then you'll discover the
how good it feels to be enrolled in conscious community in an active
way. Conscious Dancer Magazine is at your service. Thank you.
101 Modalities to Move You: Join the movement that's gaining momentum.
Practices. Protocols. Approaches. Techniques. These are the words movement pioneers reach for when they are trying to describe what they do. Coining a term for a new method gives you the right to teach it your way. Panache. Persona. Mojo. Mystique. We use these terms to grasp at the essence of a mentor's soul. When enough people label a person remarkable, a reputation is earned. Modalities—the catch-all word we use to describe the genre. Some are amorphous processes that invite improvised facilitation, while others have specific moves or techniques that can be codified, memorized, and taught. We've highlighted ten of the largest and most influential that can be found internationally and in most major U.S. cities, and provided short listings for 90 more. We urge you to try them! User-friendly, accessible to most abilities, and non-competitive, these modes invite you into the safe container of community space that encourages movement with an intention towards greater awareness. Dive in!
PART ONE: The ten most influential in alphabetical order.
1) 5Rhythms
Gabrielle Roth birthed an enduring metaphor at Esalen in the 1970s. Looking at life as a series of waves to be moved through is the heart of her practice that is a model for countless others. Today 5Rhythms continues to expand and evolve as son Jonathan Horan carries the torch forward for new generations.
5Rhythms is
groundbreaking in so many ways. A map that can be easily understood,
yet explored for a lifetime, is the essence of this practice.
Virtually any music or mood can be categorized under one of the five
rhythms: Flowing, Lyrical, Staccato, Chaos, and Stillness. A typical
"wave" class may flow through all five in sequence, or
intensives may choose one to delve deeper. 5Rhythms is intended as a
moving meditation that happens in a group. As such it offers
opportunities to access highly emotional or spiritual states—most
reliably—ecstatic dance. The palette of music that 5Rhythms
facilitators use as a foundation to the journey is as wide and varied
as human experience. The teaching style is invitational and
encouraging, and complements the work done putting together the
soundtrack. Dip a toe in the water or dive in headfirst; there is no
"proper" way to do the rhythms.
“Movement is my
medicine: it's my meditation, my practice. It is what I do no matter
how I feel. We were all born to move, to surrender to the beat. Your
soul is a dancer. No effort. No judgement. Pure energy in the
moment.“ —Gabrielle Roth
FIND IT:
5Rhythms is one of the founding godmothers of ecstatic dance. With
headquarters in New York and roots at Esalan Institute in Big Sur,
California, the rhythms and movement echo expansively throughout the
U.S., Europe, the UK, South Africa, and Australia. With hundreds of
well established teachers world-wide, and on-going training
opportunities, it is an accessible and worthy plunge to dive into the
waves of 5Rhythms. Look for it at hot springs, retreat centers, and
yoga studios.
www.movingcenterschool.com/about-5rhythms,
and www.gabrielleroth.com
2) Biodanza
Rolondo Toro Araneda once said, "I love, therefore I am." Biodanza (Dance of Life) was his brainchild, a practice he described as "the poetry of human encounter," and rightly so. It is a system designed to heighten the experience of being alive in the here and now.
Biodanza is about encountering yourself and others through movement, dance, physical contact, and sharing. You will connect one-on-one, and with the entire group at once. Physical contact occurs gradually and participants learn how to set boundaries and respect each others' needs for contact and space. Music is a key component, usually organic with real instrments and voices rather than electronic. Some sections may be danced in silence. Biodanza is active and energizing, but by no means a hard-core aerobic workout. Quiet, gentle movements and partner and/or small group practices are common. Biodanza classes have strong spiritual and emotional components and facilitate the expression of five major human potentials: Vitality, Sexuality, Creativity, Affectivity, and Transcendence. Teachers may interpret in individual ways, or offer advanced classes that are not appropriate for beginners. Biodanza classes are typically 15-30 people, but it can be done with two or three up to hundreds.
FIND IT:
About 2,500 people currently teach Biodanza worldwide, with huge
popularity in Europe and South America. There are 40 schools of
Biodanza in Italy alone, and an estimated 100,000 people practicing
regularly worldwide. In the U.S. look for Biodanza on the West Coast
and in the NYC area.
www.biodanza.us
3) Continuum
Emilie Conrad revealed the fluid nature of human potential when she founded Continuum in 1967. Her work continues to resonate throughout the worlds of movement.
While living in Haiti, Conrad was fascinated by the wave-like motions she saw in Haitian prayer rituals. "These fluid, undulating movements transcended time, place or culture," she says, "and provided the crucial connection linking organism to environment as an unbroken whole." Over the years she explored this motion and from her ongoing explorations developed Continuum.
Her ideas are based on the basic tenet that ALL fluids of the body—circulating blood, the tides of cerebrospinal fluid, the pump of the lymph system, the net of membranes, or the swirl of viscera and brain— function as fundamentally ONE undulating stream of intelligence. To activate and harmonize with this intelligence, Continuum utilizes the subtle potency of breath, sound, movement, and sensation. Rather than following a fixed system of postures or formalized exercises that maintain patterned structure without release, the modality's explorations delve into the play of emerging and dissolving form. This theater of life becomes the source of continuous well-being, wisdom, and creative imagination. The fruit of Continuum is that in the process of recognizing, accessing, and activating the fluid intelligence of our bodies, it is possible to live more healthfully, more vibrantly, and even to move out of paralysis.
FIND IT: More
than 200 authorized Continuum teachers and Wellspring holistic health
practicioners are currently listed and accessible through the
Continuum website. Emilie is accessible as master-teacher through
ongoing trainings. Events, classes, and workshops can be found
throughout the U.S., as well as in 12 other major countries from
Brazil to Estonia.
www.continuummovement.com
4) InterPlay
Cynthia Winton-Henry and Phil Porter activated the human capacity to integrate apparent contradictions when they came together to co-create Interplay in 1989. Self-discovery, depth, light-heartedness, and spontaneity intermingle in this thriving modality that is making a difference worldwide. They began their collaboration in the Body and Soul dance company in 1979. Three decades of improvisation later they are still playing with the arts of self-discovery,
Interplay's founders are ambassadors to the body's innate wisdom. In Porter's words, "to be a body-intellectual, is to strive to understand and articulate the fullness of physical experience." For the Interplay participant, this means simply showing up and engaging with the moment at hand. Interplay is both a philosophy for everyday life and a powerful learning technique. A typical class begins with a warm-up and then moves into InterPlay “forms,” which are simple structures for playing with movement, stories, and voice. Most of the forms involve interaction with at least one or a few other people, and encourage improvisation and interpersonal playtime. The point is that play and work need not be at odds. The genius of Interplay is that through experiencing ourselves and the outer world with the light-hearted wonder of a child, we can re-align our hearts, minds, wisdom, and bodies as integrated adults, thereby discovering new and valuable ways to work within ourselves and with others.
FIND IT: Over
1,000 graduates of the Life Practice Program lead ongoing classes,
special events, "untensive" retreats, life practice
programs, and leader trainings in locations across the U.S., and in
50 countries including Australia, Brazil, India, and The Netherlands.
Headquartered in Oakland, CA.
www.interplay.org
5) Jazzercise
Judi Sheppard Missett surprised her students one day in 1969 and asked them to turn away from the mirror. Her "just-for-fun" take on jazz dance became a fitness phenomenon from its humble beginnings in Chicago.
Today, Jazzercise is the first, most common, and most financially successful dance-fitness modality, topping $94 million in revenue in 2009. Jazzercise offers fitness, fun, community, and livelihood for hundreds of thousands of people from New Orleans to Japan. Jazzercise is a 60-minute group fitness class combining cardio, strength, and stretching for a total body workout. Moves taken from hip hop, yoga, Pilates, jazz dance, kickboxing, and resistance training are fused and bundled into one-hour sessions. Judi's daughter Shanna Missett Nelson serves as President of Jazzercise, Inc., carrying the vision forward into the 21st century. Over the years, the organization has acted upon Judi’s philosophy of giving back to the community. Judi and her legion of instructors have raised more than $26 million for a wide range of charities by leading special large-scale workout classes, performances at major sporting events, and local benefits. Other activities include “Kids Get Fit,” a free workout program designed to help school districts promote fitness as a way of life to children; and the “CyberStretch School Giveaway Program,” featuring free software that guides users through energizing stretch breaks to reduce tension and the risk of repetitive stress injuries.
FIND IT: 800 licensed instructors worldwide teaching 32,000 classes weekly in gyms, fitness, rec, and community centers; dance schools; and senior facilities. www.jazzercise.com
6) JourneyDance
Toni Bergins created a new kind of magic when she merged her Kripalu DansKinetics® training and shamanic practice, fused it with her studies in energy work, chakras, yoga, and visualization, and founded JourneyDance in 1997.
JourneyDance springs from the philosophy of the founder which could be summed up as "Move your body, love your life." Toni Bergins is best described as a live-wire, and her signature practice is a hotline to unlimited energy. A typical class journeys from prayer to celebration on a foundation of music to match. Bergins often teams up and travels with DJ Root, (Root Cuthbertson) and encourages her trainees to collaborate with DJ's as well. Every session is an invitation to move, often beginning by tuning the chakras, guided imagery, and affirmations. High energy dance is always a good part of the journey, as well as exercises that foster interaction and creativity. This practice is relevant to the entire waveform of human experience and is in alignment with personal growth and development, relationship building, and consciousness expansion. JourneyDance can be experienced in a fitness class format, weekend workshops, or week-long retreats. The idea is to leave the dance floor glowing.
FIND IT: Classes, retreats, and teacher trainings throughout the U.S., especially on the East Coast, but spreading westward. Bergins is a regular at Kripalu, Omega, and Esalen, and more than 200 certified teachers offer classes across the country. www.journeydance.com
7) Nia
Debbie Rosas Stewart and Carlos Rosas took off their shoes 1983, at the height of the “no pain, no gain” aerobics era, and blazed a path to fitness glory. What started as an acronym for Neuromuscular Integrative Action is now a noun that stands for group exercise fun.
Nia blends nine movement forms from dance arts, martial arts, and healing arts, in an approach aimed at changing bodies and lives through the sensations of pleasure and joy. Nia classes offer a fun, exhilarating, expressive, mind-body conditioning and healing experience. Practiced barefoot to music, a typical session includes dance moves mixed with heart-pumping kicks and punches, vocalizations, FreeDance, floorwork, and stretching, all designed to heighten conditioning, body awareness, and sensory IQ. Dynamic music, colorful imagery, and movement variety fires creativity, keeping your body stimulated and your mind and spirit in “The Now.” Classes are open to all ages and fitness levels, and you are invited to move in your own way and at your own intensity level, adapting the choreography to your body. Nia’s 52 Moves provide the foundation for all choreography, and while many people focus on technical mastery, no previous experience or skill level is required to have a fun, effective, and enjoyable experience. For those wishing to go deeper, Nia personal and professional training is available, following the traditional martial arts model by moving students through progressive levels of education, from White Belt through First Degree Black Belt.
FIND IT: Nia is
booming, with classes in 45 countries and featured in 750
publications worldwide. Enjoy Nia in venues ranging from gyms and
dance studios to hospitals and senior centers to schools, summer
camps, and even corporate wellness programs. Over 7,500 teachers have
been trained to date, and an estimated 500,000 people attend Nia
classes regularly.
www.nianow.com
8) TaKeTiNa
Reinhard Flatischler discovered the magic of entrainment when, as a teenager hitchhiking through Afghanistan, he witnessed Sufis chanting. Forty years later he and his wife Cornelia continue to refine and expand their innovative rhythm process as a tool for personal growth and transformation.
TaKeTiNa is a group rhythm meditation that is an incredibly powerful tool for left/right brain integration. It is conducted in a circle, with two facilitators in the center keeping a steady beat on a large bass drum and a warbling drone from a berimbau, a single-stringed Brazilian instrument. The most important instrument, however, is the human body. The leaders take the group on a rhythm journey that begins with very simple repetitive steps. They then add claps on a different count, of entrainment and chaos, and integrate the hemispheres of the brain in the process. It sounds like serious work, but in fact, playing with that edge leads to mirth and hilarity. TaKeTiNa is always done in a group, from just a few participants to a hundred or more. Members of the circle may be asked to join hands and send energy around; sometimes pairs or small groups are formed for individual practice and sharing. Described as a process capable of activating human and musical potential through rhythm, TaKeTiNa can be practiced by people of any age or ability. It is also being documented in medical studies as a way to reduce pain and aid recovery.
FIND IT: Over
200 facilitators are currently certified worldwide, and can be found
not only at retreat centers and workshop venues, but also within the
medical establishment, often with people who have serious pain
issues.The Flatischlers operate the International TaKeTiNa Institute
in Austria, with sister locations in the U.S. and Australia.
www.taketina.com
9) Tamalpa Life/Art Process
Anna Halprin's life and art became one when, as a cancer survivor, she embraced her dance practice as a healing art. Forty years later her daughter Daria and protege Tiara Reistar carry forward the creative movement philosophy born from her transformation
The Tamalpa Institute and its signature process exist to further and evolve the groundbreaking body of work of dance pioneer Anna Halprin. About her mid-life confrontation with mortality she says, "Before my illness I lived my life for my art. After my illness, I lived my art for my life." Over a lifetime, Halprin, who is still actively teaching and leading workshops at age 90, refined her process into a methodology that has been further developed by Daria to form the core of the Tamalpa Institute's programs. The processes may be done in groups, pairs, or with a practitioner. Using the tools of movement and art to release blockages and foster well-being, a session may involve drawing/painting, dancing, witnessing, journaling, and dialogue. The Institute's philosophy is reflected in the words of Fritz Perls (the German psychotherapist who coined the term "Gestalt Therapy"), who said, "The healthiest form of projection is art." Performance and ceremony as a community process are also aspects of the Life/Art Process. The Tamalpa trainings on embodied creativity are incorporated into a wide variety of personal development and professional practices. Advanced courses in Embodied Leadership emphasize application of this work in the community. Halprin's associate teacher Tiara Reistar, says "It's an honor and a calling to be part of the next generation entrusted with bringing this work forward."
FIND IT: Graduates
of the nonprofit Tamalpa Institute apply the process internationally
in diverse fields such as therapy, education, health care,
organizational development, community service and the
arts.
www.tamalpa.org
10) Zumba
Beto Perez played a Latin dance tape one day in the '90s at his fitness class in Columbia. He called the resulting madness "Rumbacise" until he arrived in Miami and met Albert Alonghi and the business-minded Perlman brothers. They branded it Zumba, and the rest is history.
Zumba is now a bona-fide fitness craze and has revolutionized aerobics and coined the term "fitness party." A Zumba class is upbeat and energetic, with some easy moves to follow, lots of pumping music, and a party atmosphere. This is less about deep connection with a partner and more about having fun falling in love with your body. Zumba works for small groups or solo with a DVD; it also scales up easily to the huge crowds that take free classes in Times Square in Manhattan. Energy and enthusiasm are the hallmarks of Zumba instructors, who lead the way in introducing dance fitness to the mainstream. Zumba has grown to become a lifestyle brand with a clothing line, DVDs, and Z-Life, a magazine for teachers and enthusiasts. Gyms and clubs that offer Zumba point to the community atmosphere as a key to member retention.
FIND IT: Zumba is in over 105 countries with some 60,000 classes being offered by licensed instructors and an estimated 7.5 million people joining the fitness party worldwide. Look for Zumba at gyms, spas, community centers, and athletic clubs. www.zumba.com
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PART TWO: Ninety more modalities listed alphabetically.
AcroYoga: A blend of yoga, acrobatics, and Thai massage conceived by Jason Nemer and Jenny Sauer Klein. A practice of trust and playfulness popular at ecstatic dances. www.acroyoga.org
Action Theater: Improvisational theater training and performance method founded by Ruth Zaporah. Embodied exercises lead to spontaneous and artful communication. www.actiontheater.com
Afro-Energy Dance: Well-established in Taiwan, this form created by Chandra Barbagallo is an ecstatic blend of drumming, dancing, and group energy work. www.afroenergydance.com
AfroFlow Yoga: Debbie Steingesser’s union of Hatha yoga and traditional West African dance. An exploration of self through dance, live drumming, chanting, and meditation. www.debbiedancer.com
Alexander Technique: Australian actor F.M. Alexander developed this technique for creating balance in the relationship between neck and head. A simple and practical method that changes everyday habits to improve freedom of movement. www.alexandertechnique.com
AlivEmotion: Rhonda Clarke’s programs and concerts awaken and heal through dance and music. Based in Alberta, Canada, with programs that include children and teens. www.alivemotion.com
Anat Baniel Method: system of therapeutic movement developed by Feldenkrais protegé Anat Baniel with wide application across ages and abilities. www.anatbanielmethod.com
Aston Kinetics: Forms of movement, bodywork, and fitness developed by somatic pioneer Judith Aston. Includes education for daily activities and specialized trainings in pilates, yoga, golf, music, etc. www.astonkinetics.com
Authentic Movement: A self-directed form developed by dance therapy pioneer Mary Starks Whitehouse in the 1950’s. Involves gaining access and giving creative expression to the inner life through movement, drawing, processing, and witnessing. www.authenticmovementcommunity.org
Bar Method: A targeted body sculpting workout regimen created by former journalist Burr Leonard. Based on the pioneering work of Lotte Berk. www.barmethod.com
Bartenieff Fundamentals: An extension of Laban Movement Analysis developed by Irmgard Bartenieff. Exercises that apply Laban’s movement theory to the functioning of the human body in motion. www.limsonline.org
BeachDance: Synchronized i-Pods are the key to this ecstatic dance innovation led by Lisa Evans on the shores of Oregon and Hawaii. Free dancing in sand, sun, and surf to playlists provided beforehand. www.beachdance.com
Bellyfit: A fusion-fitness experience created by Vancouver-based Alice Bracegirdle that embraces elements of Pilates, yoga, and meditation. Combines Western cardio with dances from India and Africa. www.bellyfit.ca
Bikram Yoga: Also known as “hot yoga,” the system developed by Bikram Choudhury is practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees. A strenuous practice of 26 standardized postures. www.bikramyoga.com
Breathexperience: Middendorf breath work is a gentle somatic practice that develops the theme of letting the breath come and go on its own. www.breathexperience.com
Breema: A protocol of over 300 self and partner exercises that bear resemblance to both Thai massage and contact improv. Jon Schreiber’s system of nine principles of harmony applies to all aspects of life. www.breema.com
Body-Mind Centering: An influential process of creative embodiment developed by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen. Hands-on re-patterning and movement education principles are complementary to virtually any movement modality. www.bodymindcentering.com
Body NVC: A movement and awareness technique in which the body’s spontaneous movements are connected to feelings and desires. Based on Marshall Rosenberg’s nonviolent communication work during the civil rights movement. www.baynvc.org
Body of Sound: A playful journey into rhythm, voice, and movement developed by Alyssa de Caro. Elements of body percussion, vocal toning, ecstatic dance, Contact Improvisation, and Balinese kecak are used. www.bodyofsound.com
Body Tales: The work of Olivia Corson and Lysa Castro evokes meaningful personal stories through intuitive movement, spoken word, and supportive witnessing. www.bodytales.com
Buti Yoga: A high energy music and movement based yoga practice developed on the Big Island of Hawaii by Elisabeth Gold. www.butiyoga.blogspot.com
Chakradance: Australians Natalie Southgate and Douglas Channing use music as the energetic gateway to the seven major chakras of the body. www.chakradance.com
Conscious Movement: Holistic package offered by fitness giant Equinox. Includes diverse modules such as Inten-Sati, Budokan, Animal Moves, and Power-Nap. www.equinox.com/fitness/consciousmovement
Core Connexion: An approach to dance as movement meditation and healing art developed by Eva Vigran. This practice leads to creative expression from the core through connection to body, breath, and sensation. www.coreconnexion.net
Crunk Fitness: High-energy fun founded by Alabama native Jamme Morginn. www.crunkfitness.com
Dance Your Bliss: A lighthearted approach to body-centered expressive therapy created by Rachel Fleischman. Music, movement, and voice complement art making and journaling. www.dancingyourbliss.com
DanceMeditation: An integrated movement meditation system that is offered both as a personal path and a dynamic community process. Founder Dunya Dianne McPherson cultivates embodied awareness under the premise that the body is spiritual intelligence. www.dancemeditation.org
Dance of Liberation: Blindfolds are used in the shamanic tradition to allow inner creativity to break free. Parashakti created this form to free emotional, mental, and spiritual blockages. www.parashakti.org/dance-of-liberation
Dances of Universal Peace: Developed by Sufi teacher Samuel Lewis as a path toward peace through the arts. A library of over 3,000 traditional circle dances from all cultures is explored at weekly gatherings around the world. www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org
Dancing Freedom: A form of full-spectrum manifestation through movement created by West Coast facilitator Samantha Sweetwater. Soul-activating dance journeys with fresh and diverse music. www.dancingfreedom.com
Dancing with Pain: Holistic healing and natural pain management through dance. Loolwa Khazzoom developed this method based on the miraculous results she received by dancing during her search for relief from chronic pain. www.dancingwithpain.com
Danyasa: A flowing practice created by Bamboo YogaPlay retreat founder Sofiah Thom. Unites the essence of Vinyasa with the energy of dance. www.bambooyogaplay.com
Exuberant Animal: Functional fitness that promotes physical happiness. Play-based exercise created by Frank Forencich. www.exuberantanimal.com
Feldenkrais: The methods of Moshe Feldenkrais guide people of all abilities through precisely structured movement explorations that involve thinking, sensing, moving, and imagining. The active expression is called Awareness Through Movement. www.feldenkrais.com
Fire Dancing: Any form of movement that involves manipulation of flaming wicks. www.nafaa.org
Flow Arts: A catch-all term for spinning modalities such as poi and staff work. www.flowtemple.org
Flowetry in Motion: Movement practice and integral consciousness philosophy created by Monica Blossom that centers on embodying the flow of life through simultaneous surrender and active participation. www.facebook.com/FlowetryInMotion
Groove Method: Modern music workout created by Canadians Misty Tripoli and Mélanie Guertin. www.thegroovemethod.com
Gyrotonic Expansion System: Romanian ballet dancer Juliu Horvath devised this system in response to his own injuries. Gyrotonics is done on specialized equipment and Gyrokinesis exercises only require a mat. www.gyrotonic.com
Hellerwork: A system of somatic education and bodywork that follows Ida Rolf’s lineage of Structural Integration. Joseph Heller base his interpretation on the inseparability of body, mind, and spirit. www.hellerwork.com
Hoop Dance: The general term for all forms of hula hooping. Trainings and workshops are offered by Hoopnotica, Herohoops, Hoopgirl, and many more. www.hooping.org
I Am Body: An approach to fitness arts that integrates awareness and movement created by Portland-based teacher and coach Sierra Munro. www.iambody.us
Ideokinesis: Lulu Sweigart and Barbara Clark evolved the work of their teacher Mabel Elsworth Todd into this protocol popular with dance professionals. Somatic approach involves sustained mental focus on imagined actions. www.ideokinesis.com
Integral Transformative Practice: Conceived by human potential pioneers George Leonard and Esalen founder Michael Murphy, this long-term program effects positive change through a series of body-mind-spirit exercises and other daily practices. www.itp-international.org
Kinetic Awareness: A guided experiential study of the fundamentals of human movement created by dancer-choreographer Elaine Summers. Relies on inflatables and is also known as The Ball Work. www.kineticawarenesscenter.org
Kijo: A comprehensive mind/body fitness program designed by Shelly Ross. It includes interval, strength and core training, creative and spontaneous movement, balance, alignment and floor work. www.kijo.biz
Kivo: Connection with the kinetic voice is the intention behind the spirited practice developed by musician-dancer Lis Addison. Ecstatic circles of dance, movement, and body chants. www.kivodance.com
Kundalini Dance: Shamanic ritual-dance created by Australian Leyolah Antara Dekanic. Often led by facilitator-DJ duos, this deeply transformative and sometimes cathartic experience is popular in Canada and on the festival circuit. www.kundalini-dance.com
Let Your Yoga Dance: An exuberant form of yoga and breath-based movement practice created by Kripalu senior trainer Megha Nancy Buttenheim. Powerful moves in an atmosphere of levity. www.letyouryogadance.com
Laban Movement Analysis: A vocabulary and analytic framework for the description of human movement originally devised by Rudolf Laban.The work is applied in diverse fields such as health care, the performing arts, sports, and education. www.limsonline.org
Laughter Yoga: This uproarious approach to yoga developed by Dr. Madan Kataria in India is an international sensation. Fans have launched over 6,000 clubs in 60 countries. www.laughteryoga.org
Living Dance: A unique approach to dance/movement therapy created by Dr. Danielle L. Fraenkel at her Kinections center in Rochester NY. Helpful with eating disorders, creative blocks, and negative responses to stress. www.kinections.com
Lomi Lomi: A Hawaiian ‘dance of massage’ originally translated to Westerners by native healer Auntie Margaret Machado. Original apprentice Tamara Conlan Mondragon carries on the tradition. www.lomilomi.org
Lotte Berk Method: Lydia Bach carries on the work of German ballet dancer Lotte Berk. Polyamorous before her time, her exercises had provocative names like ‘the French Lavatory’ and ‘the Prostitute’. The method has similarities to Pilates and yoga. www.lotteberkmethod.net
Matrix Energetics: A form of energy work using somatic techniques and quantum healing frequencies developed by Dr. Richard Bartlett. www.matrixenergetics.com
Medicine Dance: The work of Fred Sugarman at UCLA explores inner-directed movement for healing. Open classes are offered, and a current study is focusing on breast cancer survivors. www.medicinedance.com
Nalini Method: A dynamic workout with Eastern influences created by Rupa Mehta. One aspect is Nalinimetrics, an active dance form. www.nalinimethod.com
Natural Rhythms: A program for cultivating the wisdom found in the core forces of creation developed by Lisa Michaels. www.naturalrhythms.org
NurtureDance: Safe connections are formed through touch with this contact-friendly form developed by Ken Martini. www.nurturedance.org
Pilates: The core fitness program of Joseph Pilates began at the turn of the century with New York Ballet members as test subjects. Today over ten million people practice worldwide. www.pilatesmethodalliance.org
Prana Flow: The energetic living vinyasa of yoga phenomenon Shiva Rea. Students are empowered to experience prana as the navigating source of vital living. www.shivarea.com
Psycho-Physical Therapy: Bill Bowen’s approach to body-centered psychotherapy enhances awareness and well-being through somatic resourcing. www.psychophysicaltherapy.com
Pure Barre: Created by dancer, choreographer and fitness guru, Carrie Rezabek. A total body workout with ellements of ballet, pilates and weights. www.purebarre.com
Rolfing Movement Integration: The system of Ida Rolf restores structure by changing the movement habits that perpetuate imbalance. Also known as Rolfing Structural Integration. www.rolf.org
Rosen Method: Created over the course of 50 years of practice by somatic innovator Marion Rosen. Bodywork and movement aimed at creating more space for effortless breathing. www.rosenmethod.org
Sensory Awareness: An active mindfulness practice popularized by Charlotte Selver who taught daily until her death at 102 in 2003. Active practitioners worldwide. www.sensoryawareness.org
Shake Your Soul: Through the mediums of music and movement, Dan Leven’s body and spirit expression teaches that the joy of dance is healing. www.leveninstitute.com
Shin Somatics: Land to Water Yoga is a gentle practice that uses somatic principles for optimal living and healing. www.eastwestsomatics.net
Silvestre Technique: Brazilian native Rosangela Silvestre’s influential dance technique. Builds on the elements of nature and the intuition, balance, and expression of the body. www.silvestrelink.com
SomaSoul: A body-centered dialogue with somatic/sensory awareness developed by Dan Leven. Resolves stress and trauma by synthesizing right-brain creativity with left-brain language and narrative. www.leveninstitute.com
Somato-Respiratory Integration: A protocol that combines breath, touch and dialogue to reunite self with repressed, shamed or forgotten areas held in the body. www.donaldepstein.com
Soul Motion: The ‘movement ministry’ of Vinn Marti has a devoted following and is highly influential to other facilitators. A creative odyssey of human relations and divine dialog. www.soulmotion.com
Soul Sweat: Varied choreography is coupled with diverse musical genres in Chantal Pierrat’s signature fitness program. www.soulsweatdance.com
Spiritweaves: The self-proclaimed spirit child of 5 Rhythms and Soul Motion. Michael & Anneli Molin-Skelton create ritual space for shape shifting in a modern, urban context. www.spiritweaves.com
SpiritsDancing: An inspirational metaphysical workout for body and soul created by Moving Ventures founder Ellen Watson. www.movingsong.com
Surfing the Creative: A seven-phased rite-of-passage process created by Boulder-based Melissa Michaels aimed at liberating the creative life force through embodiment. www.goldenbridge.org
Tantsu: This land-based practice combines tantra and shiatsu. Developed by Watsu founder Harold Dull. www.tantsu.com
Trager Approach: The methods of the late Dr. Milton Trager include Mentastics, the movement form Trager Psychophysical Bodywork. www.trager.com
Trance Dance: Archaic form that is often done with blindfolds in a ritual setting, this deeply transformative journey is currently translated by Wilbert Alix and others. www.trancedance.com
Transdance: A potent and prayer-full dance experience that integrates elements of tribal motion, freeform jamming, and active imagination. Led by Temple Arts Institute founder Heather Munro-Pierce. www.templeartsinstitute.com
Uzazu: Formerly known as The 16 Ways, Dylan Newcombs language of energy is a somatic polarity practice aligned with the Spiral Dynamics work developed by Clare Graves. www.uzazu.org
Vivid Existence: A life practice and inquiry into embodiment devised by Vancouver-based therapist Leela Francis. www.leelafrancis.com
Waterdance: Partner movement in a pool heated to body temperature. Noseplugs allow for underwater hydro-dynamic pressure release on joints and muscles. www.h2om.com
Watsu: The original form of water shiatsu created by Harbin Hot Springs teacher Harold Dull. Ultimate relaxation and release from floating and stretching in warm water. www.watsu.com
Wowzacise: The breakthrough process of Elisa Lodge. An exploration into the physiology of youthful aliveness done by rolling and bouncing on yoga balls. www.wowzacise.com
Yamuna Body Rolling: Uses specially designed balls to elongate muscles and roll tissue. Yamuna Zake’s practice allows self-directed bodywork that follows the body's own logic. www.yamunabodyrolling.com
Yoga Meets Dance: Engaging form of moving yoga practice taught by Sedona-based meditation instructor Beth Rigby. www.yogameetsdance.com
Yoga Trance Dance: High-energy yoga/dance fusion made popular by superstar Shiva Rea. www.shivarea.com
YogaFit: Founder Beth Shaw developed her signature yoga/fitness hybrid to appeal to every age and ability. "If you can breathe, you can do yoga." www.yogafit.com
Yum Sessions: Improvised live music meets ecstatic dance in these free-form sessions led by PJ Novatny and musical collaborator Ryan Herr. www.facebook.com/pages/YUM-Session
ZenDancing: Yogini and facilitator Micheline Berry together with musician partner Craig Kohland and his group Shaman’s Dream facilitate sacred improvised dance journeys. www.zendancing.com
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About Conscious Dancer Magazine:
Founded in 2007 by Mark Metz and Aspen Madrone with the mission of creating "movement for a better world." Today Conscious Dancer serves over 100,000 readers with news and insight into the growing world of conscious movement, and provides practical tools and trainings for facilitators seeking to grow their practices. Subscribe for home delivery of the quarterly magazine or read it online at:
About Mark Metz:
Mark Metz danced his way through the rock-and-roll, new wave, punk, industrial, and rave movements and began writing about dance and culture in the early 90's while he owned the clothing store Ameba in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury. He views the cutting edge of dance culture to be the froth on the leading wave of evolution, and has focused his life’s energy on translating it to the world as a 'cultural engineer." Look for his upcoming book on Contributor Culture.