Let's Get Metaphysical
Oh what fun to join Why Dance? - the Soul-hubber’s podcast - with the brilliant Andrew Cuerden. Andrew asked me a lot of good questions about the connections between music and mind, clubbing and connecting , running my psychotherapy and conscious dance practices, attracting men to dance, and healing our social fractures. We both read from my new book – Dance far Life – and discussed our shared passion to reclaim our love of life through the magic of dance.
Andrew, himself a professional dancer, appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2005. Now he is a therapeutic dance leader and life coach with his own modality, Metaphysical Dance:- https://andrewcuerden.com/metaphysical-dance/
Common Ground and Dance Floor
It was an absolute pleasure to chat with Andrew before, during and after the interview. We discovered that from very different backgrounds, professions, and countries, we share a passion for dance and wellbeing, spreading the practice for mental and emotional health, through joy and play.
Psychotherapy and Dance
Andrew asked me about how I got into dance, and about the history of my professional career as a psychotherapist. One of the interesting topics we discussed is what I learnt from running nightclubs, raves, and signature nights in the 80s and 90s, dancing with more than a million people over the years. I recalled being at massive parties and festivals and vibrating with the deep group energy and sense of community. Something profound happens when people move together. We tap into a unified and metaphysical field of connection that reaches back into human evolution and out into the universe.
Sober Dancing
We discussed what conscious dance is: a sober, healthy alternative to all-night raving, with the possibility of having a therapeutic experience, a chance to overcome isolation and tap into group energy in which we feel ourselves a part of a whole. Deep belonging without language. Our bodies have a different conversation that unifies in ways that words cant. We discussed a current trend of wanting to take care of our bodies which means drinking less, taking less drugs, and getting to bed earlier! Conscious dance is the perfect format to support this sober trend, and unlock the magic of movement at the same time.
Men and Dancing
Andrew had enjoyed attending one of my sessions at flomotion.dance. He noticed, with some appreciation, that many men were present. At my dances we usually have about 40% men.
I particularly enjoyed talking with Andrew about men and dancing. He told me his own story of how dancing as a boy in South Africa gave him the opportunity to transcend male stereotypes and show different sides of his personality that did not feel possible in his ‘normal’ life such as being silly, angry, sensitive.
We discussed a male fragility, perhaps created by the expectation that men must be powerful, in control, and know what they are doing. Dance is an opportunity to defy these stereotypes and to enjoy not knowing what you are doing. We concluded that men will dance when the climate is right: warmth and welcome, some extra reassurance, and permission to do it their way, to get back on to the dance floor. We need men at Conscious Dances. It is good for all of us.
Flomotion.Dance and Dance for Life
The conversation flowed into what people should expect if they come to one of my Flomotion dance sessions, or decide to read my book Dance for Life. Let me reissue the invitation that is at the heart of the book, come and join us and find your dance in your body, in order to revive your life force. All ages, backgrounds, and orientations are very welcome. This is our shared birthright. The book explains what happens at our sessions and invite all readers to move their bodies!
Andrew kindly asked about my future plans for Flomotion. Three things stand out. First, we are growing; come to our home dance floor in Archway North London on Saturday evenings and join the club. Second, we are going online to draw in people from all over the world on Sunday mornings at Sun-Dance. Third, we are going into the community to embrace everyone by teaming up with mental health charities to employ dance to combat stress and anxiety.
Advice for Dance Teachers
Another great topic was what is challenging about running conscious dance sessions and how I can encourage other teachers who are newer to the field.
My main reflection is to expect a great deal of self-doubt, particularly when you begin. It is part of the journey to experience self-doubt and to dance through it. It is also the path that equips you to lead with clarity and love.
It takes time to build a practice such as Flomotion and the journey of facilitation is especially acute when people don’t show up or something goes wrong. My advice: get support from friends or supervision to encourage you to keep going. We can’t do this stuff alone; we need the reassurance of others and to learn to self-soothe.
Dance is a Leveller
The topic of ‘no talking at conscious dance’ and being in a non-verbal space came up. For me that is one of the unique and beautiful aspects of conscious dance practice. Talking is great, but to be invited to be in a space where all the communication is non-verbal is exciting and refreshing. Most of what we have in common as humans is spoken through our bodies.
What’s Next?
We touched into the next steps for Flomotion dance … but you will have to go the next Flomotion blog to find out about that. See you there!
You can also listen to the podcast interview here:
You can book a flomotion session here:
You can my buy book Dance for Life here:
You can attend a live launch event of the book here:
You can attend a live Zoom Flomotion session here:
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