The Spiritual Practice of Dancing

Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp.  - Psalm 149:3

The last Monday of each month we focus on a spiritual practice. This month is the eloquent and divine human movement we call dance.  

Who doesn't love a dance party! I have some great memories in which my family and I danced together humorously in our kitchen. It was carefree, fun, and created much laughter and smiles. It got us creatively moving to the music creating space for connection, which surpassed words and moved straight to our hearts.  ​​

Dance has the ability enliven our body and souls, break down barriers, and free our bodies of worry if we let. The multi-sensory and emotional way it moves through our body creates moods and communication patterns. Its both an inward and outward experience connecting our mind and body together. I find it funny that this practice physically and emotionally changes us and yet there is often very little of it happening in church. Maybe its the stiff dress clothes, tradition of being proper, or just the thought that others would judge us. 


None of them seem like good reasons in my opinion for us not to engage in something that can connect us with the divine.  


So how can we use dance as a spiritual practice? In what ways can we incorporate dance in our religious and spiritual settings?  
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History of Dance 

Dance is believed to be around before humans had written language. Many people believe it was used to pass the oral tradition of stories from one generation to the next. Dance Facts and History indicate the first "proof of dance" was discovered in paintings inside a 9,000 year old cave in India. It became common for dance to be used in religious ceremony or rituals in sharing the stories of others or to celebrate a certain time of the year. It eventually evolved into other forms of social life but remained in the religious realm as well. 

"The ancient Greeks believed that man took delight in active movement. A person was considered educated if he could dance, and his moral code was defined by the dances he performed. Men and women in Greek society danced, though what they performed might not be considered dance today. It was an ordered form, integrated with music and poetry as part of rituals, religion, and social life (Human Kinetics)."


During the renaissance dances moved into forms of entertainment and display. It also had a major place in the social aspect of society. During this time dances were written down in detailed forms separated by categories.  This time period had an explosion of art in the form of dance. ​​Dance has continued to evolve into various other dances such as the floss as we have below.  

Dance And Our Spiritual Life

Dancing is moving spirituality! It puts our emotions and feelings out for everyone to see. Sometimes you are even surprised at what comes when you allow your body to move.  Dance is freeing and allows us to go directly to God with both mind and body.  So how do we use it as a spiritual practice? How do we use it in our current settings?  First check out the music video "God's Great Dance Floor" by Chris Tomlin.  

1. Find Your Rhythm - When we find the rhythm of the music we can choose to be free with it. When we make this choice we allow the love of God to move freely through us. However we must each find the rhythm that works for us. Try different kinds of music, different dances, or just be free in your creative expression.  Don't know what to try, try this! 

2. Don't Care - Be like King David dancing and leaping before the lord.  Our perceptions of what other people think stop us from using our bodies to move freely in dance. When we throw out those thoughts and judgments we open ourselves up to the divine.  It doesn't matter if you have never danced before or if you are experienced. Dancing is for everyone! 

3. Learn New Steps - Dancing can be incorporated into worship if we allow it but it means we have to do the first two things already listed. Sometimes it is easier for a group of people to be instructed first through choreography and other steps. It lessens the fear factor and allows them to feel like everyone is at the same level.  


4. Dance With Others - Dancing with others allows us to be creative and free with someone else. Dancing can connects us physically, emotionally, and spirituality.  It invites them into an intimate relationship where we express ourselves openly.  

5. Find Time - Give yourself time each week to dance. This can be at home, out somewhere, or even in church. Dance can happen anywhere as its just allowing your body to react to the moments in your life. For churches they can  intentionally schedule dance ministry or times in the service for dance to happen. Be creative!


So get out there and dance! 

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Thank you for all the kind words and support!  

Take some time and dance this week by yourself or with someone else!