I had the good fortune to take in quite a bit of dance during the last two days. April 29th was International Dance Day, and the day before I had been invited to talk to the Comox Valley Unitarian Fellowship about the philosophy and spirituality of Nia. One of the dance workshops I attended was to learn Hula, the sacred and festive dance of Hawaii. Taught by a fellow Nia teacher from Gibsons, Dhyanna, this workshop was an absolute joy to be part of. We learned a couple of hula dances that taught us the ways in which all the hula movements are symbols. Dhyanna danced one of the ceremonial hulas, and then explained how the movements were symbolic of nature and the prayers of thanks for the elements and to the creator, the great spirit. This was no touristy performance, but a deeply moving moment of embodied prayer.
As the days lighten and warm up, I sense a lightening in my own heart to continue bringing more and more embodied movement, Nia, and community dance to this beautiful place where I live. I have deep gratitude for all the students who help keep my dream thriving, coming to classes and workshops, and so obviously enjoying themselves. If it takes two to tango, it takes a whole community to dance prayers and gratitude and joy and connection.
There is an opportunity coming up this Saturday, May 5th, to once again be part of the co-creation of community art. We've all been invited to come and dance while the Letz Sing choir sings in the Sid Williams courtyard. It's at 2pm, and you would be so welcomed into the circle of movement to help create a mandala of music and movement.
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