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Dance as Yoga

April 3, 2015 by Oren Pardes

“Yoga” means “union”. There are many “kinds” of yoga – and many methods, teachings, and techniques to create, achieve, or strengthen “union” – of body and mind and of self and Self (The Divine/Universe) or partner/family/community/relationship, and/or anything “greater” than (one’s own perception/expression/experience of) self. Yoga is often about being “mindful” about ourselves and others even when most “mindless” – seeking “selfless” self-fulfillment.

Yoga is a “practice” – of conscious breathing, focus/concentration, and intention/awareness – that can and often does help develop increased physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual strength, speed, stamina, suppleness (fluid flexibility), symmetry, and (many kinds of) balance.

Some forms of yoga are “hot”; most are not – nor even physical at all, let alone choreographed contemplative contortion. Not all “yogis” are “posers” – holding, flowing, or “floating” through postural “asanas”. Some yogis are sexual “tantrists”; other yogis just laugh – at anything and everything, including anyone else’s concern about (or “obsession” with) “kundalini energy”.

Dance, too, could, and probably should, be considered a type of “yoga” – especially dancing with a partner (connecting with self, each other, music, and environment) – both finding and losing themselves in the music, dance, and relationship with each other, and whatever may be around.

Dance as yoga is not the same as “dance yoga” or “yoga dance”, but seeing and seeking “union” – in and through (any existing style of) dancing – be it social or solo, partner or performance.

© 2015, Oren Pardes. All rights reserved.


2 Comments »

  1. Patricia says:

    Glad to find a new blog on your Moving2gether page. I Enjoyed reading! The topic of “union” brought to my memory a video I watched about a week ago about the best practices to keep a Spirit of “unity”. You describe Yoga and Dancing as ways to achieve, create, and strengthen “union” of body and mind with oneself, partner, family, community, relationships, and even to develop spiritual strength and balance. Those practices can lead to Union. Respect, empathy, avoiding judging attitudes or pointing fingers, communicating, supporting, and acknowledging are practices that also lead to “union” and “unity” in mind and spirit with self and others.

  2. your blogs are really great.

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