Dancing in the Dark
So, you think you can dance?
The Chakradance press release reads: "Dance like no one's watching"… but the only way I dance is like no one's sober. The thought of "chakradancing" in a room full of strangers scares the heck out of me. A desperate phone call later, I am reassured I don't need to know anything about dance at all … and most importantly, everyone's eyes will be closed. Phew. For commitment-phobes, Chakradance offers a three-hour workshop to get a taste for the practice. I've decided to go all the way and do the nine-week cycle, which focuses on one of the seven major chakras each week.
Our instructor, Kirsten explains chakras are different energy centres in your body: each has a unique function and corresponds to a major gland, colour and vibration; and together, they influence the health of your body, aura, spirit and emotions. If the energy of a chakra is too low or too high, it gives rise to dysfunctions such as over-eating or financial problems (an unhealthy base chakra).
Chakradance uses our natural desire for movement to directly engage and tune unbalanced chakras; apparently, the dancing activates the body's natural healing abilities.
After a meditation, Kirsten invites us to find our own space and close our eyes. She blasts especially composed music (we're supposed to feel it, not hear it) then starts us off with a few movements to get us physical. Then, we're told to let the music take control. After a few awkward moments, I became immersed in my "journey".
The spontaneous dance helps us to express inner thoughts, ideas, feelings, sensations, images; anything the music brings to the front of our minds. And you'd be surprised what surfaces: people became prowling tigers, eagles soaring through the sky, angels floating on clouds … not that I was peeking, we all had the chance to talk about our experience afterwards.
But Chakradance isn't just about healing. Hailed as "the next Pilates", it's also a creative cardio workout; it helps me de-stress, build up energy and be a lot more expressive. As for my next party, dance floor, here I come.
The verdict
Did Chakradance "reignite my zest for life", as the website promises? It sure did! I felt blissful, more aware of my spirituality and more confident about my physicality. But mostly, it was fun.