Wellness
An excuse to flail around my living room while my dog looks on in horror?
An excuse to flail around my living room to music while my dog looks on in horror?
For some, it’s a key in ofmeditation through movement.
Think of it as a way to connect with yourinner child.
(Eleven-year-old medidbelieve in life after love.)
Heres how it went.
Seriously theresresearch that backs it up.
Its impossible to do it without cracking a smile.
Sometimes it lasted for 20 seconds.
Other times I danced through a few songs in a row.
The best song for this, IMO?Flowers by Miley Cyrus.
My Fitbit also registered my ecstatic dance as a workout, so that was a great bonus.
The best part for me, though, was ecstatic dancing after work.
For the evenings, Id stream my favorite 80s playlist and get down.
that I found it again.
Now, if Im nervous before a big Zoom call, Ill do a shimmy.
And if my back starts to hurt from sitting, Ill do a shake.
And just like that, I feel better.
I truly feel happier while Im jumping around and singing to my reflection in the mirror.
Either way, there is no right or wrong.
Its fun, its freeform, and if it feels good, youre definitely doing it right.
Studies referenced:
Hanna, JL.
(1995).The power of dance: health and healing.
J Altern Complement Med.
(2021).Conscious dance: Perceived benefits and psychological well-being of participants.
Complement Ther Clin Pract.
Source:
Carrie Torn, LCSW, psychotherapist, yoga teacher
This article was originally published onMarch 14, 2023
