It’s no secret that dance can lead humans to ecstasy, the tips of bliss, the juice of joy. Dance is an ancient art that’s universal. Yet there’s a big gap between how powerful it is as an art form and practice, and how much we humans actually tap into its power.
So today, I feel moved to share a story about the power of dance in my life. It’s the longest-ever (16 min) video I’ve put into this newsletter; I gave myself permission to just tell the story without limits; listen if you want to hear the whole story. And if not, reading this very short post gets straight to my intention.
As a personal narrative writer and artist, my intent is to invite you to move closer to your unique relationship with dance — regardless of gender, age or geography — so together, we are co-creating a reality that is more joyful, more alive, more free.
When I feel scared, stressed or heartbroken, nothing helps me move through it more quickly or effectively than listening to music while moving my body. Hiking is one way to do it, but somehow, dancing tops the charts.
If I find myself clenching my jaw with tension, stressed-out for one reason or another, and I want to respond gracefully, I just play a song that makes my body want to move and… Voi-la! Within seconds, the stress dissipates. Not because I’m running away from it, but because I have let the temple I am living in, take the lead.
Fear-fed thoughts and feelings are clarified, upleveled, and released to allow Love-led ones to come through.
Try it today, in the privacy of your own home:
Notice when you feel stress, agitation or some other unpleasant sensation.
Immediately turn on a song that makes your body feel alive, activated, energetically turned on
Give yourself permission to move, all-out, to fully move your legs and arms, hips and head — to fully feel your body communing with the music
Notice how you feel now. What did the dancing do to your icky feelings?
If it helped, keep it up! Make it a regular practice.
And find some great live music to move to on a regular basis, too, like the Have Fun Be Nice morning dance parties happening in 66 U.S. cities. I’m supposed to go to San Francisco for it today annnnnd… 😑 my body is unusually tired and sore after an unexpected 4-hour dance session yesterday featuring one of my favorite bands, The Crooked Stuff, and closing up with 90s fun from Ga$ Money. If you read this in time to make it to the Ferry Building @ 11am for Have Fun Be Nice, I’ll give you my ticket! Just respond to this message by 10:30am (2 1/2 hours, ready, set, go!).
There’s my invitation for today. A reminder to love yourself. It’s that simple, and as important as it gets. Here are two songs that might make you wanna move: Fresh & Honey.
Women, wanna make 2026 the best year of your life? Wanna take your life from “good enough” to glowing from the inside-out? Well then, save-the-date! My next Making Love to Life FOUNDATIONS Masterclass starts January 7th. We’ll meet online every Wednesday for 6 weeks from 11am-12:30, joined by my collaborator, dance artist Amelia Eisen, who brings the power of dance directly into our journey.
And if you’re a she-her in wine country, join me for the next dance-a-luma on Friday 9/19 at 7pm downtown Petaluma! This month’s theme is SEE!, an invitation to feed your vision for living the life you want. What are the highlights you see, when you imagine your most authentic, joy filled life? Bring a few girlfriends, and wear shades of blue in the spirit of SEE! Get tickets here.
