The Spirit in Dance

"I said to the almond tree, 'Friend, speak to me of God’, 

and the almond tree blossomed."

_Nikos Kazantzakis

Dance is the language of the soul, a beautiful expression that transcends words. It’s like a conversation between the body and the universe, a way to connect with the divine essence within us and around us. This reminds me of the quote above which is so beautiful: "I said to the almond tree, 'Friend, speak to me of God,' and the almond tree blossomed." In much the same way, when we ask dance to speak to us of life, it answers with movement, grace, and the blossoming of our spirits.

When we dance, we connect with something greater than ourselves. We let go of inhibitions and surrender to the rhythm, trusting that the music will carry us to where we need to be. In those moments, we’re reminded that we are part of a grander design, a beautiful creation that is constantly evolving and blossoming.

Dance connects us with the present moment. We let go of worries about the past or future and focus solely on the here and now. This mindfulness allows us to experience “Spirit” in its purest form, to feel a sense of peace and oneness with the world around us. In those moments, we are like the almond tree in full bloom, radiating beauty and grace.

_Christos Daskalakos

DANCE: Joy in Motion

“You will never find a dance partner as perfect as your own spirit.”

_Zen to Zany

Not just a physical act – dance is beneficial to both body and mind. In the flow of movement, joy is an inner feeling that best describes the sensation of losing ourselves in the dance. Bringing calmness in the centre of dynamic vitality, it shifts the debris of the mind to expose our innate nature which is pure joy. A deep sense of connection to our body, our movement and our feelings expands our awareness of life. A sense of well-being means that with ease we dance along a transformative path that not only leads to a sense of well-being but activates our existential creativity that allows our spirit to forge a life that is crafted to bring maximum contentment.

Joy emerges when we feel self-confidence by embracing the dances that promote body positivity. We appreciate our bodies for what they can do and the sensations that generate deep connections to the experience of life. Our hearts too find a healthy outlet to express and release emotions, tensions, and anxieties. We surrender to feelings that arise from spontaneous movements that free us of stagnant emotions. A deep connection and integration of mind, body, and heart frees the spirit.

In essence, dance is a celebration of life – when we are connected to this we move in pure joy.

_Christos Daskalakos

DANCE: embracing the cosmic now

Dance, when you’re broken open.

Dance, if you’ve torn the bandage off.

Dance in the middle of the fighting.

Dance in your blood.

Dance when you’re perfectly free.

_RUMI

In the vast expanse of time, there is a profound stillness that precedes every creation. Stars are born from dust and galaxies spin in silent harmony. From this stillness, dance emerges – a fleeting and yet powerful expression of life itself. Arising from nothingness, it exists in the here and now, and then gently dissolves back into the void, leaving behind beautiful echoes of its presence.

Ephemeral yet powerful, dance exists in the space between breaths. Movements are transient, flowing alongside each note of music evoking a moment of pure expression. The body dancing without any considerations of past and present becomes an authentic expression of our identity in this moment. When we expose our hearts to these experiences it is possible to extract new and magical possibilities for life.

When we dance, we are not just moving our bodies; we are participating in a cosmic ritual of the existential expression of life itself. By embracing the ephemeral, we live fully in the now, celebrating our very existence free from tired shackles that often surround our joy. In the very moment we surrender allowing our dances to emerge, we connect to the sacredness that is our cosmic journey.

_Christos Daskalakos