This gem of practice fell into my lap because of my frequent visits to Ecstatic Dance- An extraordinary social dance gathering and practice, where you are free to dance and move any way you like. This sacred dance gathering began in California in the year 2008. But Ecstatic dance has been prevalent in human history as it was also used in an ancient practice of shamanism where rhythmic drumming was used to alter consciousness in spiritual practices.

While I was re-tapping into my soul journey of movement and motion, which I only recently realized has been embedded into my life purpose. It was only after this beautiful friend and his innate knowledge of astrology and charts solidified my belief. He said, “Movement is an essential ingredient of my life”. Some would say that all these planetary movements and astrology are only limited to one’s belief system but what would you say when you know your soul has been screaming for your attention and calling out to you since you were a child?

So yes, dance and movement have been a part of my life since I became aware of what the world around me looked like. This inherent sense of knowing that movement and dance gave me wings and I have always felt most comfortable and happiest in my skin while dancing. Right from choreographing medleys, and dance sequences, thirsting to learn different dance forms, performing at school events, and let’s not forget constantly playing dress up and dancing in front of the mirror at home and imagining I was dancing on stage gave me immense happiness. Well, believe it or not, this ritual continues, making me feel ecstatic like a little girl. That’s when my inner child wants to step out and play and I abide joyfully.

The only thing that has changed is my awareness of this gift which I now frequently indulge in while experimenting at various workshops and places that bring out that side in me. As they say the more you are motivated by something you love the more fearless and encouraged you will be. I had always imagined and in some way envied the life of a dancer and I always wanted to trade places, even if it was just for a day. It’s only now that I realize I don’t need to trade but live in totality and blissfully in my world.

My Journey of revisiting my passion started with Ecstatic Dance and that led me to movement medicine. Movement medicine is a therapy that was developed by Susannah & Ya’acov Darling Khan over 30 years of study and practice with many teachers and teachings worldwide. However, the association only came into play in the UK in the year 2012 to promote, facilitate, and practice movement medicine to the public in all its diversity.

Movement Medicine is an invitation to experience the power to create that is in us all. It’s a body-based movement meditation practice that will reconnect you to the wisdom of living from the heart, the joy of knowing who you are, and the satisfaction of making your unique contribution to life.

My experience with Movement medicine started with the presence of a heart workshop held in Chicago, facilitated by an Irish man named David Mooney, which lasted an enter weekend. I only attended the introduction workshop which lasted for about four hours.

In this workshop, we worked on learning to move keeping in mind the four elements of nature Fire, Water, Wind, and earth. The workshop included, right from discovering oneself along with indulging in partner play and community building using nature at the helm of everything.

It all begins with dancing with oneself- an internal exploration of one’s bodily movements without any interference from the mind. So one has no choice but to be fully present and completely involved in the act. This internal play is initiated by marking one’s territory and by being fully aware of one’s emotions correlating to the physical movements. This takes you into a land of complete bliss- mirroring the true version of yourself. And trust me this bliss cannot be substituted by any drug or intoxication.

The next stage was equally interesting and mesmerizing as the instructor commanded me to partner up with someone. All I remember him saying is to flow like the wind and match the synchronicity with a stranger. The task at hand was forming a unified connection and flowing effortlessly. This was no less feat to achieve as we all come with our notions of connection and flow but this learning was bittersweet. As they say, the proof of the pudding is in eating. So, achieving the task through trial and error had its sweetness.

The third stage was to pair up with another couple and work in the harmony of four rather than two, this creates community building. The energy created by mass consciousness is the purest form of energy and here we were in bundles of four across the entire room trying to match our movements with one another. While undergoing this beautiful exercise one of the key learnings for me was kindness, enjoying being part of one another’s happiness and their initiatives. Each time one person would kick-start a step and others had to follow and try and achieve one while relishing the act. This reminded me again it is only when we are genuinely happy for others and wish for their upliftment and growth, is when we can witness others to be truly a part of our happiness.

The four-hour workshop concluded with us again being preset with ourselves individually and trying to sum up our journey in our mind and heart. The closing practice was like the one during an ecstatic dance. Everyone present in the room forms one big circle, joining hands while taking deep breaths. This closing ritual is done to absorb the power of oneness while acknowledging the people present in the room along with being grateful of allowed to dance with them.

I want to end this with one of the quotes that resonated with me.

“There is more wisdom in your body than in your deepest philosophies.”

 -Friedrich Nietzsche Cheers to dancing through Life.