Dancing the 4 Elements with Biodanza
By Kathleen Nathanael
Biodanza is an integrative dance therapy; it is music, movement and feelings. It makes use of the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water as archetypes and is a means of self exploration. We also use the elements to help us connect with the environment around us. Biodanza can help us to express all of these elements, blending them naturally into our life.
Earth is what we are made of and is the element of life. Without earth we would have no food, no shelter, no clothing. So dancing earth helps to ground us and connect us with nature, life and its cycles. We become more aware of the rhythms of life and less of the linear time we often find ourselves driven by. Too much earth and I become heavy and rigid; too little and things crumble and fall apart.
Air is the element of ideas, lightness and of course the breath. Without air our life becomes heavy and stale and we often take ourselves too seriously. So dancing air will help us to literally lighten up, and allow new ideas and ventures to emerge. Too much air and I will float away, drifting through life without direction.
Fire is the passion in life. Without fire we have no warmth, no light, and no joy. So having fire is about having drive and the ability to create the projects of our life. To make our dreams, ideas and plans happen. Too much fire and of course we and others can get burnt. Who wants to live around a volcano?
Water is the element which connects and changes all the other elements. If I don’t have much water in my body or my life, then I may not be able to flow with life and therefore I may become stuck or entrenched in some way. Dancing the element of water helps us to become more fluid in our movements and with practice it will also increase our fluidity in life. If however I have too much water, then I have no substance and constantly change my mind and my direction.
So I hope you can see that what is important is the balance of the elements and the ability to move between them. No one element is good or bad. It is the ability to embody them and utilise them that helps us in our lives.
See www.pathsoflight.co.uk for more information
or e-mail kathleen@pathsoflight.co.uk or ring Kathleen on 01438 815853.
Kathleen Nathanael
This article was posted by Kathleen Nathanael
