The dancer’s work is vibrant, athletic, and precise, yet to the viewer, it’s free and though powerful, speaks of masterful ease. It’s quite difficult to entertain the thought that the purpose of life is contained within dance, but in many cultures, dance is the ultimate expression of union with the divine.
Ecstatic dance is the individualized route to circumventing the intellect and entering another realm of thought or non-thought. Sufi whirling is a deliberate, structured repetition of a circular action in order to experience an in-body/out-of-mind state more attuned to the inner vibrations and the spiritual source. Spontaneous ‘shaking’ and rocking is evidence of otherworldly light and energy inhabiting the physical body during prayer. Keeping time by thumping the heels rhythmically in Indian classical dance grounds the religious experience and enhances its uplifting character.
Nataraja is Shiva, the cosmic dancer performing his divine dance to destroy a weary universe and make preparations for Brahma to begin the process of creation.
In dance, as in yoga, every movement of body and breath is inspirational and creative. We may feel transported by yoga practice. We may want to sigh or hum, to bounce and bound, to speed up, slow down, or reach, or sway. Let’s do those things. Let’s express our inner longing for integration. Let’s dance.
