When you think about meditating, an image of silence, introspection, absolute calm… Well, that’s not always the case. For example, did you know that you can meditate dancing? Perhaps it is not the most common option, but it is an alternative if you want to enjoy the benefits of meditation while enjoying movement.
And meditation can be practiced in different ways, and not all of them consist of sitting in silence. Meditation through dance, also known as conscious danceuses music and movement to help clear your mind and focus on the present. As the experts at David Lloyd explain to us, it is the perfect way to combine physical training with a stimulation for emotional well-being.
Music and emotions
We cannot lose sight of the fact that, after all, music greatly influences the mood and emotional responses. In everyday life, one can use an energetic playlist to motivate oneself during a hard workout or listen to relaxing songs to help one sleep. With these premises, the experts at David Lloyd Clubs have created their Spirit Dance Meditation proposal, combining different types of music with freedom of movement and a deep meditation session. “It’s about using music and movement to have less clutter in your mind and allow the release of the body”says Tina TrainaHead of Product at David Lloyd Clubs, who helped develop the new class. Mindful dance means letting the body direct the movement instead of the head.
Meditation through dance, also known as mindful dance, uses music and movement to help clear the mind and focus on the present.
What benefits does meditation through dance provide?
Whatever the previous experience with meditationwith this discipline one can benefit from disconnecting from the world, even if it is for a short time.
As he explains to us Maria Moratainstructor of David Lloyd Zaragoza, in this conscious movement technique the perceived benefits and psychological well-being are multiple, but highlights the following:
- Improvement of mood.
- Reduce stress (cortisol) therefore also reduces inflammation.
- Increases the self confidence.
- Increase creativity and the sense of self-awareness and self-knowledge.
- On a physical level there is great respiratory and heart work, moments in which we sweat and the vibration of the class is high and others where the sensations of the body lead us to stretch and release tensions or knots.
Any audience or person can benefit from this technique, it is not necessary to know how to dance, it is not a choreographed class but rather conscious expression
Who is this practice aimed at?
One of the doubts that arises is who can especially benefit from the practice of this type of meditation. “Any public or person can benefit from this technique, it is not necessary to know how to danceit is not a choreographed class but one of conscious expression, of the present moment that leads us to full attention and focus on the authentic experience,” indicates María Morata. It thus becomes a good alternative for those people who find it difficult to meditate ‘the traditional way’.
“Although the concept of meditation is in stillness, it is true that with the fast-paced life we live in this century, stopping people suddenly and observing sometimes has reactions of fear and distraction. In this moving meditation it helps us quickly change the programming of our personality and connect with that individual essence of each one that we have so forgotten, realize life, stop and change what does not make us truly happy,” indicates the instructor.
© David LloydIs it better to meditate dancing alone or in a group?
The truth is that we can assess whether one type of meditation or another is better. “We need both parties, In the first part we tune in to the dialogue of the music and the expression of each part of the body and we will be internalized only in ourselves, in other moments of the class we need the group to move in exercises of greater expansion increasing the energy of each one of us. the participants,” details the expert.
Useful recommendations for meditating while dancing
The truth is that it is, in the expert’s opinion, a technique that leaves no one indifferent. Through the sessions, those who practice it will feel that what changes on the dance floor will change in their life. It is important, however, that we let ourselves be guided by the teacher, that we distance ourselves from her mind, that we leave the constant value judgment of our lives, which above all are conditioning. “And that we enjoy the activity. At the end of the whole dance, music has been present accompanying the human being since its beginnings, assuming expression of all types of emotions, sensationsetc”, indicates the expert.
It is a free style, there are no steps to follow or routines to learn
Practice meditation by dancing in a group
If you’re curious, you might be wondering what happens in a class. Dance Meditation. As the centers’ experts tell us, the beginning of the class begins with headphones. Listening to music in this way allows you to truly travel inward and let the everyday world fade away.
- Different parts of the music are heard that will guide you throughout the three phases of the class. The first consists of tune in and notice how you feelas you get deeper into the session.
- “In the second part, the music gets louder and that’s when you start dancing,” explains Tina. “You can have your eyes closed throughout the class, but in the dance section you have the opportunity to have them open.”
- Finally, the music changes again. “The last section try to let go and let go of anything that it no longer serves you,” says the expert. “If there are thoughts, emotions or anything else that is pulling you down, you can let it go.”
- During the last few minutes, the instructor guides you through affirmations, chants or breathing exercises to prepare the partner for the rest of the day.
It is important to keep in mind that It is a free stylethere are no steps to follow or routines to learn. “It’s about supporting and encouraging you, not telling you how to dance. You will dance only for yourself,” he says.