At the end of today's workshop, I asked each woman to share something that she will take away from the day. One woman recounted how much she enjoyed starting the day with the African dance class. Not only was it an enjoyable new movement experience for her, but she was free to move the parts of her body that are usually objectified by onlookers. It occurred to her how much she usually hides her form and she realized that she does not and should not have to.
It was a connection that I hadn't even conceived of but makes so much sense. I chose to teach an African-inspired class because I just wanted participants to move a lot and have fun. Yet, the choice proved to be deeper than just working out and having a good time. My choice of dance style empowered women to awaken and be aware of their female form. Literally. In our warm up we isolated our heads, shoulders, torso, and hips moving them in all directions, drawing attention to them, and coordinating them in rhythm. The movement was performed best with energy, attitude and commitment. Can you imagine a world where we all felt comfortable enough to move like this on a regular basis?
This woman's perspective on how she moves through the world is certainly different, and it was amazing to witness dance as a mode of change in such a concrete way.
Will you join us next time? Register for August 20.
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