Why is DANCE so powerful? If you have ever closed your eyes, swayed your body to the rhythm and become mesmerized by the trance of it all, you may find yourself having fell so in love with a song that it feels like a wedded bliss with the divine. Atleast, that is how I feel about dance when it is directed towards connection with myself, with fellow dancers, with unity consciousness.
Many of the Brain Kriyas ("Kriya" is a series of postures, breath, and sound that work towards a specific outcome. (3HO.org)) in Kundalini Yoga use dance. "Dance has such beneficial effects on the brain that is it being used to treat people with Parkinson's disease," (Harvard Medical School) and "Music stimulates the brain's reward centers, while dance activates its sensory and motor circuits." (Scientific American magazine) You are essentially improving your motor control, eye-hand coordination, brain input and neuronal connections, memory improvement, as well as the physical benefits that cardiovascular exercise provides. Add to this an aspect of mindful connection to the movement and you also have a moving meditation which brings about a sense of peace and can provide mental clarity.
So, do you want to dance NOW? If you can, stand up, turn on some of your favorite music and MOVE! Can't do it now? Promise yourself to get in some movement tonight by yourself or with your loved ones. Make it a dance party filled with FUN (which carries it's own benefits).
How is your Day 2 going? Let me know how you are doing this first week of the New Year and what your goals are... leave a post below or private message me.
How is My Day 2 going? I woke at 5:00am to our guest-led CorePower Yoga C2 class on our yoga deck, followed by cuddles and fun with baby girl, a healthy fresh whole-food vegan protein shake with oatmeal, office time where I am preparing to lead our upcoming Level III Reiki Master Certification Course this weekend. I ran 2.5 miles yesterday while chasing the last glimpses of the sun and pushing a stroller after two avid and young runners. Today my physical goal is to get into the gym for a leg day weight session. Eating has been pretty good although I did succomb to a piece of dark chocolate mid-morning. Tonight my goal is to not look at social media passed 8:00pm and to do yoga nidra for bedtime.

Music Pick of the Day: Xavier Rudd's "Spirit Bird"
https://open.spotify.com/track/7mptueK99zxqmgIdT3SaWF
May you already be, and if not, may you become, the person that you want all children to model after...
With love and light,
~ Char
Reference:
http://neuro.hms.harvard.edu/harvard-mahoney-neuroscience-institute/brain-newsletter/and-brain-series/dancing-and-brain