What is Shakti Dance?
Shakti Dance is the "yoga of dance"â â the conscious practice of dance, infused with the wisdom of yoga to develop awareness and understanding of body, mind and emotions. With a unique and harmonious blend of flowing asanas and various styles of dance, Shakti Dance works energetically to develop the art of intuitive and free movement through a state of mystic, meditative union. Gently opening the pranic current (life force), the body and mind are able to surrender and merge with the intelligent, creative flow of Shakti, giving life to a sacred dance form.
Sara Avtar Olivier, a life long dancer, Sat Nam Rasayan healer and 20-year yoga practitioner and teacher, is the creator and founder of this discipline and its yogic system.
Shakti Dance has its roots in the science and tradition of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan. It implements insights drawn from yogic philosophy to awaken and embody universal principles of harmonious movement. It also develops understanding of the qualities and levels of energy induced through different dance movements and styles. It fuses breath, motion and mindfulness to expand the practitionerâs consciousness.
Phases of Shakti Dance
Shakti DanceÂŽ consists of different phases to cleanse and awaken the pranic body, so that the practitioner can access and enjoy the Spirit of Shakti:
1. Tuning in
This opens the class with a mantra accompanied by a mudra. It centers and prepares the mind, creating the necessary connection to receive the teachings.
2. Shakti Stretching
Rhythmic and meditative floor exercises, flowing in coordination with the breath. This phase warms up, increases flexibility, relaxes and opens energy channels in the body.
3. Standing Exercises and Trance Sequences
Energizing exercises and dance sequences, opening the chakras with rhythmic and breath-coordinated movement. Physical awareness is heightened through the isolation of body parts. Harmonious expression is developed through the acquisition of universal principles of free-flowing movement. This phase in particular recharges vitality.
4. Free Dance
Taking inspiration from the previous phases, the inherent creative impulse is given free reign to express itself. With increased awareness of the energetic body (aura), a fluid interaction between inner and outer spaces is explored and enjoyed.
5. Relaxation
The rhythmic pulsation of mind, body and spirit is allowed to integrate while releasing tensions.
6. Mantric Choreography
Choreographies to mantric music are danced in geometric group formation. Self-repeating sequences stimulate the meditative mind and help realign both individual and group energy.
7. Meditation
A moment is taken to return to the stillness within, to enjoy the fulfillment of emptiness following the satisfaction of self-expression. This is a chance to bathe in the regenerative space of the Source within.
8. Closing
Inner and outer worlds are brought into balance while a protective auric shield is created around each participant.
Benefis of Shakti Dance
- releases tension and emotional blocking
- reduces stress , increasing vitality and rejuvenation
- invigorates all body systems, increasing cardiovascular health, circulation and respiration
- expands awareness and increases self-confidence
- ncreases flexibility, agility, and muscle tone
- improves posture, alignment, balance and coordination
- enhances body awareness and vitality through the increased pranic flow
- increases vocabulary of movement
- heightens sensory perception and strengthen the meditative mind
- develops inner harmony and graceful movement
- connects practitioners with the qualities of the divine female within
- develops a sense of inner peace and joy
What is "Shakti"?
"Shakti" is the primordial creative energy of the soul. Through her the universe is made manifest. All existence is animated through her Divine Breath. She expresses herself through the manifold forms of life.
The Yoga of Dance
Dance can be one of the purest expressions of our being. The soul is reflected when we are in most intimate contact with ourselves. When the body is massaged through movement and through mindfulness, dance becomes yoga. When physical tensions are released, then the mind relaxes and expands to transcendence. Dormant body parts awaken, empowered with awareness, and the energy of music and feeling flows creatively through us. Intensifying our relationship with our chakras, a new heightened sensitivity and delicacy is born. Thus the body becomes an instrument animated by our Divine Self.
Sara Avtar Olivier
Sara Avtar Olivier is the founder and creator of Shakti DanceÂŽ. Born in Edinburgh, raised in London, she is a singer and life-long dancer, with training in gymnastics, tai chi, chi gung, ballet, jazz dance, salsa, Oriental, Indian and African dance. She is a certified yoga teacher and Sat Nam Rasayan healer, practising yoga since 1987 and teaching since 1990.
She studied theatre in London and trained at the J.W. Goethe University in Frankfurt, qualifying as an Art and English school teacher. Since 1992 she has been teaching and spreading the discipline of Shakti DanceÂŽ. Now living in Rome, Sara Avtar is a KRI Kundalini yoga teacher trainer, holds yoga and Shakti DanceÂŽ seminars and gives performances throughout Europe. Her intention is to use the creative arts as a doorway to access the Source and enhance soul-presence.
More info: http://shaktidanceacademy.com/