Suzanne Riordan

Dance Classes :

Ecstatic Expression for Women -

Dancing from the Heart -
Please join a nurturing community for an evening of Sacred Dance Dip into a refreshing, rejuvenating and inspiring evening of dance... A real treat for the senses, the body & the soul!

Dance class schedules and location to be announced.

For information call 805-637-1339
suzriordan@aol.com

www.dancingfromtheheart.org

Suzanne also runs the
Santa Barbara Healing Alternatives Network

SACRED, CONTACT, AUTHENTIC
& ECSTATIC DANCE

Dancing from the Heart is a unique blend of sacred, authentic, contact and ecstatic dance designed to lead us into a state of grace from which we can discover our own authentic dance and allow it to dance us!

From the atom to the galaxies, all of life has its rhythm, its frequency, its spin, its own unique dance. As humans, we are unique in the range and depth of our emotions and in our ability to align with the majesty of the eagle, the grace of the gazelle or the whimsicalness of a summer breeze.

Dancing from the Heart is a magical gestalt…We are playfully coaxed into bringing our full presence into the body, into the Now, to explore the unique potential of this moment, this roomful of people, and the blend of feelings evoked by this evening’s unique musical selections.

The ambiance is welcoming, inclusive and conducive to dropping into the NOW—body, mind and soul. Ample time is provided at the outset for connecting –eyes closed—with the Self, for connecting with the breath, for grounding, stretching and warming up the body, for releasing trapped energy and restoring the free flow of chi.

As the tempo of the music picks up, dancers a re-guided to gently expand their energy fields, to become aware of the group as a whole and to begin traveling across the room, greeting each other and setting the stage for a playful, free-flowing interaction between dancers. As the group begins to surrender to the spirit of the music, a divine, childlike spontaneity, curiosity and creative expression take over.

Dancers are guided to come together, dance solo and then recombine in unpredictable kaleidoscope patterns, creating a precious vessel within which it feels safe to express the innocence and beauty, the longing for harmony and union, the celebration of life that lies at the core of each living being.

Parts of the evening are gently guided, while others are improvisational. The music is a rich and exquisite tapestry inter-weaving a Sanskrit invocation, an adagio for cello or piano and high-energy African, Mid-Eastern or Latin rhythms. Props such as multicolored silk veils, layered skirts, Balinesian masks, Chinese dancing ribbons and a variety of drums, tambourines and shakers are provided for the use of all participants.

The event is often brought to a close with spiral weaving its way into the center or with a heart-opening “Dance of Universal Peace” to salute the divine in ourselves and in each precious brother and sister.

Join us for ongoing Sunday evening classes and Wednesday evening series.