Dance It Out!

Nov. 24

One way to release trauma is to shake and move it out of our body. This practice is inspired by Dr James Gordon, of the Center for Mind Body Medicine .

For two minutes, breathe deeply and slowly, in through the nose, out through the mouth. On the inhale, think the word soft and on the exhale, think the word belly. Set a timer if you like.

Now stand up and shake your whole body. Begin with your feet firmly on the floor and start the shaking from your lower legs and knees, then to your thighs, then your hips and up through your shoulders. Let your arms hang loosely and shake and/or bring them up above your head. Vary the speed from vigorous to slower and back to fast, whatever feels good to you. We often finish with Throwing the Energy Down. With your fists above your head, exhale and bring your arms down, opening your hands and make some noise as you throw the energy down into the ground.

Then come back to soft belly breathing and total body awareness for 2 minutes.

Now dance! Below are some favorites of mine to get you started. I like a song or songs that lasts 3 to 5 minutes.

Finish with 2 minutes of soft belly breathing with full body awareness.

This is a guided practice using Mary Chapin Carpenter’s Song Down at the Twist and Shout

These are some of my favorite dance songs. Enjoy!

Happy, Pharrell Williams

Footloose, Kenny Loggins and the movies Footloose

Down at the Twist and Shout, Mary Chapin Carpenter

U Can’t Touch This, MC Hammer

Walking on Sunshine, Katrina and the Waves

Uptown Funk, Bruno Mars, featuring old time movie dances

Play both of these shorter songs Rock Around the Clock, Bill Haley and the Comets and Splish Splash, Bobby Darrin