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View of Biodanza
by
Philippa Kennan
Six
years ago Biodanza came as a revelation to me.
"Biodanza" literally means, "dance of life"
and for
someone like me who barely skimmed the surface of life
it was a lifeline. Biodanza through a series of
exercises progressively brings one back to inhabit the
body in today's head-driven society. You do not
have to be a good dancer, or young, male, female,
as anyone can benefit.
Biodanza is not a course, but to benefit fully, a
weekly class begins a process of gradual opening of
the body, and release of physical and emotional
tensions. Over time Biodanza can strengthen one' s own
personal identity , create new effective ways of
communication, Bring love and health into our lives
and
enable every moment to be Lived fully. Research has
scientifically proven biological, hormonal changes in
the body producing a healthy balance in the body and
mind. I have changed from a person who mingled with
the crowd, unwilling to be seen, to leading a Biodanza
class, a system I love and want to share with others.
Music is the heart of Biodanza. It is a universal
language, which overrides the confines of the mind,
penetrating straight to the heart. The music is very
carefully chosen to fit certain criteria. It ranges
from vibrant Brazilian rhythms, to the atmospheric
sounds of Enya, old, classical, modern pop and more. It
has rhythm and melody and is not discordant. The music
dances us, resonating within
the body, producing emotions such as joy, elation, and
affection.
The
"Vivencia" is the name given to the fully lived
moment. There are 5 types of Vivencia that we work
with within each class; Vitality, Creativity,
Affectivity, Transcendance and Sexuality. These cover
the fundamental aspects of each human being in life,
in and outside a Biodanza class. We do not speak in
class to enable the mind to rest, and the body to
instinctively live each moment or " Vivencia"
intensely. Each moment is unique, never the same in
the past or the future. Unlike other disciplines,
there is no analysis of experience or feelings within
the class, although we invite spoken sharing at the
beginning. The emphasis is on evoking happiness in the
body and within the group. The Minotaur project is the
only Biodanza Workshop which looks at our fears with
specific exercises to work through them.
Each Biodanza class is a process, an entity on its
own, a series of simple exercises designed to bring
each person fully into life by working with oneself,
with another and with the group. It is a system of human
integration, no longer working in the isolation of the
mind, but with non verbal effective communication
within the group and into our everyday lives. It is
therefore beneficial to remain with one group as we
grow together.
My
group has become an extended family; anyone
missing is missed by the group. I met my partner John
through Biodanza, whose help and loving support is
invaluable in running the class. He is also a member
of the Rolando Toro School of Biodanza in the U.K.
Biodanza was introduced to the U .K. by my teacher,
Patricia Martello, an amazing pioneer from Argentina,
who now has schools in London, Paris, and Holland,
alongside her husband Marcello who has a school in
Belgium.
The vision of Rolando Toro, the founder of Biodanza in
the 1960"s, was to have the whole world dancing.
This has amazingly come true throughout Europe, South
America and South Africa. Rolando was born in Chileand
lived through a regime of death and envisaged a world
where people are unable to kill each other. Biodanza
has risen like a Phoenix from these ashes. Rolando
Toro is still teaching and dancing in his late
eighties, an embodiment of his system.
I
am now realising my dream by providing a weekly class
in Harpenden.
"Biodanza
has given me life, love,
friendship and a new family." |
