DANCE, the art of living

“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.”

_Henry Ellis

Living is a creative act. Creativity is not always about having to do something to be creative – an action. Often it is more about allowing the natural flow of our own expression. We can be creative in many ways, creating work, art, or even relationships. The expression of ourselves is related to our identity. When we are in touch with our truth we are naturally creative. However, when we allow the world around us to influence or distort our identity by instilling beliefs, dictating rules, and setting up expectations – we lose our creativity and that is when we stop allowing the natural flow of our own expression.

Dance is a creative act that takes place in the here and now. It connects us to our identity, as a sense of who we are, and so strengthens our own self-image. We are then able through the dance to give this sense of ‘me’ expression. It is an expression that flows naturally from our body, and our feeling, and in response to our environment, be it the music, or the other dancers. In the dance, there is only the moment of creating, something emerging out of nothing without any considerations or expectations. In this way, dance gives us the freedom to express our authentic selves.

There is no need to make a big creative statement. We don’t have to choreograph epic stories, Just as each and every act in our lives, the smile, the look, the movement, are all acts of creation, so is the simplest of our dances. Each gentle movement, each gesture of connection, and each sensation are the things that make up who I am. Through the dance, we can learn that life too can flow with ease and be an uninhibited expression of our magnificent selves.

_Christos Daskalakos