Map Seven: Chakras & Dance

Just as a musician must know the notes of his instrument without having to think about them so the music can flow from source to fingertips unimpeded, so should the dancer know the notes of her body so energy can flow through her as fast as she channels it.

The Chakras are thought to be spirals of light that bring energy into the body through specific energy centers. There are many energy centers within our body, but there are seven (7) major ones that most holistic health practitioners use. Chakra is a Sanskrit word that means "wheel of light". Dr Carl G Jung referred to the chakras as the "gateways of consciousness". Lying along the spine, each chakra has it's own purpose, association and connection. When the energy of each chakra is in balance with each other, we experience peace and health, indicating there is an even flow of energy through all the chakras. An imbalance at one point in the system will likely create an imbalance somewhere else. Each chakra relates to different parts of the body. Our three lower chakras, the Sex chakra, Hara and Solar plexus, through our feet connect us to the earth, our roots. Our three higher chakras, the Crown, Third eye and Throat chakra connect us to the energies of the sun and heaven, our wings. It is only natural to initiate both hands and both feet in order to connect to the earth and sky. The meeting of these energies create an inner dance.

Chakra Dance is described as a creative dance therapy which works by stimulating the body's seven major chakras (centres of spiritual power) through music and dance. Teacher Douglas Channing says chakra dance works in a similar way to yoga in that it creates energy flows through the body. There are no specific steps that you are doing, you are just guided by the music,'' he says. "Each type of music is resonating to each of the chakra's frequency. It's almost like a dynamic form of mediation.'' Chakra dance was developed eight years ago by an Australian, Natalie Southgate, who wanted to combine her work in psychology and chakra healing with her strong interest in dance.