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

DANCE: Making the invisible, visible

“Dance is emotion in motion.”

Dance is the bridge between our inner and outer worlds. It transforms the invisible into the visible allowing us to express emotions and feelings that are often hidden beneath the surface. Through our movements, we make our inner world more tangible and accessible not only to ourselves but to the world around us.

Our emotions are not always easy to articulate with words, but dance offers a universal language. Whether joyful, sorrowful, or contemplative, each movement can convey a spectrum of emotions, making it possible for others to understand and connect with our inner state. This expression fosters a deeper connection between the dancer and others, as well as between the dancer and their own emotions.

By integrating our inner and outer experiences, dance helps us navigate and make sense of the world. It allows us to embody our feelings, transforming them into something tangible and expressive. In this way, dance not only enhances our self-awareness but also bridges the gap between our internal emotions and the external world, creating a harmonious balance between the two.

_Christos Daskalakos

DANCE - Awakening the Inner Artist

“Creativity is seeing what others see 

and thinking what no one else ever thought.”

_Albert Einstein

Emerging from the depths of our natural instinct is the desire to express ourselves – to define our identity and have a presence in the world around us. Dance can counteract the distorted view that to do so is egotistical. Every moment of cultural suppression can slowly dissolve through our moving bodies. The dynamic aspect of dancing can literally shift our point of view and allow us to reconnect with what is pure and innocent.

Existential expression is the key to our creativity and the myriad of possible dances that reside in our bodies awaken and emerge when we allow ourselves to be moved by the power of music. The powerful combination of music and dance not only allow us to connect with emotion but also to revisit those pivotal moments in life where the natural flow of our being was either diverted or suppressed.

The key to shifting culturally or societal impositions is to rediscover the joy and pleasure in living. Through the dance we find this moment of magic when we transcend the ego and melt into the movement, dissolving in the music only to remerge with the freedom that allows us to explode into this state in our unique and marvellous way.

_Christos Daskalakos

DANCING: Life's Harmony

“The body is the physical aspect of the personality, and

movement is the personality made visible”

Mary Whitehouse – Authentic Movement

The human body is a miracle of architectural harmony. A skeleton that cannot hold itself upright and an organic mass of flesh combine in a sophisticated balance that allows this body to stand, to walk, and to dance. Each of these actions is a natural progression – dance is an intrinsic part of human movement. The range of movement, the combinations, and energetic content make it possible for each of us to express our individual and unique identity.

Dance is not just a form of physical expression but a profound means of communication. The freedom to express ourselves through dance not only promotes physical health but also offers an outlet for mental well-being. The balance between body and mind through dance naturally fosters a shared experience through which we can transcend our individuality and connect with a sense of oneness. The magic of this path of transcendence is that it brings life into focus. Instead of being hooked on the detail, vision expands, feelings emerge, and insights arise that allow us to contextualize and resolve anything life throws at us.

The mind and body are one. This beautiful human system allows us to balance life, simply by dancing. As the physical body rediscovers the pleasure and joy of movement, so does life begin to flow with ease. Pleasure and joy of movement translate into pleasure and joy of life. Dance, our birthright, is the means through which we can enrich and deepen our connection to life.

_Christos Daskalakos

dance DEEPLY AWAKE

“To be awake is to be alive.”

_Henry David Thoreau

The primary purpose of the brain is to produce complex movements, which are essential for interacting with our environment and learning about life. Conscious dance amplifies this movement by incorporating all aspects of our humanity—feeling, expression, and creativity. Through dance, we awaken our presence in the world, becoming more attuned to the moment.

Instead of operating on autopilot, as if in a half-sleep, dance heightens our senses, enabling us to engage deeply with the world and the people around us. This practice brings us into a state of heightened awareness, where we can fully connect with our surroundings. The act of dancing fosters a profound sense of being awake and alive.

Dance also increases our awareness of our bodies and the signals we receive both internally and externally. This heightened awareness brings a vibrancy and aliveness, allowing us to connect more vitally with life. Through conscious dance, we tap into a deep well of vitality and presence, enriching our experience of the world.

_Christos Daskalakos