You would not think that anyone would want to be “grounded” when they dance, as it seems antithetical to the freedom of flight we associate with dance. After all, a plane is said to be grounded when it can no longer fly. But the way we use the ground in dance is essential to creating the ease, freedom, and expression that turns dance into an art form.
Without a relationship to the ground, you cannot get off the ground. In ballet, for example, without a strongly rooted plié or knee bend/squat, and without feet that can interact intelligently and sensitively to the floor, it is impossible to jump with any sort of ease. What makes ballet look effortless and weightless is actually the opposite of these qualities. As my teacher used to say to us, “You must go down to go up.” You press your energy down into the earth so that you can rise.
I like to think of my feet “breathing” as they move – drawing energy up from the earth like an inhale, and “exhaling” in an unfurling or some other movement. In Dance into Wholeness we learn different techniques like this for interacting with the ground. Developing this capacity for intelligent feet, ankles, and knees is incredibly important from a health perspective, helping us with balance and strength, particularly as we age. There’s a whole world of fascinating muscular control that we can explore there.
But there is a strong spiritual dimension as well. Our legs and feet are connected to the root chakra energetically, which is our foundation, our base. We can use them to settle into stable earth energy, and thus settle ourselves into stability as well. We can challenge ourselves to develop our balance, and rediscover our center of gravity, as when we stand on the balls of our feet. It all brings about the question, How are we walking on this earth? How are we touching the ground? How do we carry ourselves forward (and backward, and side to side?)? What is the quality of our connection to the ground?
Next time you are standing in a line or waiting around, take a moment to listen to your feet. Notice how they are relating to your shoes and to the ground. Allow them to spread out a little and become receptive and alive. Ask them if they need anything from you. You may be surprised by what your feet have to tell you!
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