Dances of Devotion and Desire: Sacred Dance in Sacred Space

Dance is an art that exists at the crossroads of sexuality and spirituality. It's a populist act of empowerment and community, bringing people of all ages, skills and types together in joy and liberation. It's a powerful form of whole-body prayer, simultaneously grounding the dancer in body while connecting intimately with spirit. It's the vertical expression of a horizontal wish, raising juicy sexy energy and allowing the dancer to experience hir beauty and sensuality with or without a partner.

In this preconference, we'll explore and play with the concepts of sacred dance in a safe, welcoming space. You do not need to be a trained or experienced dancer to take this intensive-- we will work to everyone's mobility, skill and comfort level-- but you should be comfortable with dancing, willing to try new ideas, and genuinely enjoy raising energy in sacred space as a dancer.

If you go to fire circles to dance, or can't sit down during concerts at FSG, this preconference is for you! We'll alternate between dance exercises, movement games, and physical explorations of sacred dance; and cooperative discussion and study. Everyone will have the chance to contribute ideas and skills, and we will learn from each other as we bond over our shared love of dance.

This intensive will focus more on principles of movement and on using dance to access both our sexual and our spiritual energy, than on any specific dance style; however, there will be times when we can share moves and vocabulary from our favorite styles if we wish. We'll start out by practicing basic safety and warm-ups, and by creating a shared sacred space that we will all maintain for each other. We'll do some simple exercises to establish a shared vocabulary of movement, to understand how to maintain our personal space even while sharing it with another, and to trust and interact with each other's energy in dance space. We'll talk about sacred dance in the context of different cultures, the distinction between formal temple dance and individual celebratory dance and the value of each, and the specific concepts that make dance sacred. We will practice raising, sharing, and grounding energy specifically in dance space, and enjoy the sense of freedom that comes from cutting loose and dancing ecstatically together.

We'll talk about trance dancing, its role in spirituality, how it happens, and what safeguards need to be in place in order to do it responsibly. Next we'll work with embodying intention, using specific moods and bits of myth to explore how we can use and direct the energy we raise with dance, and how our bodies tell stories when we move. We'll talk about using dance as a magical tool, alone or with a group, including how the idea of a magical trigger can help us instantly move into a particular sacred space. From there, we'll work together to develop our own shared vocabulary of mudra (sacred gestures or poses) using our cultural vocabulary of body language as a starting point. We'll talk about qualities of movement and how they can be used to change energy and communicate intention. From there, we'll consciously connect with our sexual selves in dance-- whether playfully, fiercely, seductively, or sweetly-- as we begin to dance with and for each other.

Everyone will have the chance to play with props or costume pieces if they wish to. Sacred dance does not need to be solemn and serious, and we'll keep Uzume's comical burlesque in mind as we laugh, play, bump, and grind!

We'll end the intensive by working together to create a ritual, a ritual drama, or a sacred burlesque (we'll choose it together) that will be done entirely in dance, and we'll finish our work by enacting it together. Don't worry-- it's not going to be Broadway-worthy and we'll screw things up, but we'll have fun doing it. It may not be a perfect circle, but it will be a perfect whatever it is. (as the Morgan Tarot says!)

Everyone's boundaries will be respected; you will not be forced to do anything you aren't comfortable with, you will be able to sit out if you need a rest, and we will all be supportive and respectful of what each of us brings to this experience. (If you're a drummer, you may also bring your drum; there may be opportunities for you to drum for our circle.) However, you should come to this intensive thinking of yourself as serving Spirit as a temple dancer for this time, and be honestly willing to participate and try new things, and to bring your full energy and enthusiasm to our work.

Ideally, we will take what we've done with us to the festival and offer dance to our sacred Beltane space. The work of this intensive also extends to the magic we create at Fires of Venus, so if you're thinking of attending FoV 2010, this is an excellent way to prepare for it.

Please plan to wear clothes you can move in without restriction; layering is a very good idea. I dance barefoot, but you may wear dance shoes if you prefer. Bring a water bottle so that you can stay hydrated. Handouts and pens will be provided, but you may bring a notebook as well. You should feel free to bring dance props or bits of dance costume (boas, fans, zills, glow poi, hip scarves, hats, etc) if you wish to, or small hand instruments, or your drum if you're a drummer. You need not be part of a couple or group; this is not a partnered intensive. All genders are encouraged to attend. Those with limited mobility may also attend (dance does not just mean getting up and jumping around!) and exercises will have modified versions where necessary.

Dance belongs to everyone-- so come join us and dance your devotion and desire!

Presenter:

Rebecca Proch (Diva Dasi) is a writer and artist with a theater education and many years of experience as a performer, which she now brings to the practice of sacred dance and ecstatic ritual. An eclectic Pagan and 'kitchen mystic,' she is dedicated to the path of sacred romance, which celebrates the Divine in the context of lover and Beloved. She is leading the development of the Temple of Amor as a spiritual home of sacred romance and the path of the Lover.

Attendees should bring:

Water bottles, notebook, clothes they can move comfortably in (layers are a good idea). They MAY bring (but do not have to) dance props such as veils or fans, small hand instruments, drums, and/or pieces of dance costuming like hip scarves, ankle bells, dance shoes, hats, boas, etc. Maximum of 18 attendees. Singles, couples, and groups are welcome.