Dancing in the Four Directions
This is based on something I learned long ago, it is Native American in origin.
Though at this point in time, I honestly don't remember what tribe, nation, or
shaman might claim it, not even sure if anyone could. I learned it well over thirty years ago
from a Blackfoot friend.
You'll need a compass and a sunny day, with some space to site a circle with
the north, south, east, west all set down and the ability to move around inside facing out.
Start inside, facing North. Hands out. Let the sun fall on your forehead, eyes closed, and the palms of your hands.
Step forward on one leg, use the one you lead with, are comfortable with. Bend the knee, put out the arms forward of you palms up, catch the light, lift the arms, palms to the forehead, eyes still closed.
Watch the colors, move down into your throat, heart, solar plexus(solar huh?) stomach, root chakra, out the feet into the Earth, step back feet together.
Do this three times, then take your hands and carry the light as you pivot and take steps to the East then repeating the same movements.
Carry the light to the South and then the West repeating the movements and carrying the light along.
End up on the North when you are finished.
Step back into the middle of your circle and put your hands to the ground.
Give to the Earth.
While you are dancing , you can listen for the sounds of nature, listen to music, chant(something simple, or something you like that has repetition) give yourself over the humming as you are moving along. Do something that adds your own personal texture to the dance.
I sometimes sing a Hopi chant calling out to the Earth Mother.
Shima, Shima, Shima, Shima, Shima,Shima, Shim-My Yah. The Shima is pronounced Shim mah. I sing this, but you can do what how it feels comfortable.
Find something to make this a moving meditation, with motion in the sunlight.
It is most invigorating in the early morning hours as the the sun is just fully risen.
This is a practice among others that will help to build your personal energy, open you to the field, allow some joint lubrication, similar to Tai Chai, and you can certainly get creative here. You do not need to follow my directions after you get familiar with them.
But it is probably good to stick to a clockwise motion to start with, then you can
begin to shift that around too as you find it more comfortable.
Make your motions gracefull and sweeping, allow your hands a certain amount of softness and gentle motion. The light isn't going to fall out of them, give your arms looseness and
let them float when turning. Doing so engages a certain attitude with the brain that this is
enjoyable. Don't be rigid.
Have fun. May your heart dance upon this good red Earth!
Though at this point in time, I honestly don't remember what tribe, nation, or
shaman might claim it, not even sure if anyone could. I learned it well over thirty years ago
from a Blackfoot friend.
You'll need a compass and a sunny day, with some space to site a circle with
the north, south, east, west all set down and the ability to move around inside facing out.
Start inside, facing North. Hands out. Let the sun fall on your forehead, eyes closed, and the palms of your hands.
Step forward on one leg, use the one you lead with, are comfortable with. Bend the knee, put out the arms forward of you palms up, catch the light, lift the arms, palms to the forehead, eyes still closed.
Watch the colors, move down into your throat, heart, solar plexus(solar huh?) stomach, root chakra, out the feet into the Earth, step back feet together.
Do this three times, then take your hands and carry the light as you pivot and take steps to the East then repeating the same movements.
Carry the light to the South and then the West repeating the movements and carrying the light along.
End up on the North when you are finished.
Step back into the middle of your circle and put your hands to the ground.
Give to the Earth.
While you are dancing , you can listen for the sounds of nature, listen to music, chant(something simple, or something you like that has repetition) give yourself over the humming as you are moving along. Do something that adds your own personal texture to the dance.
I sometimes sing a Hopi chant calling out to the Earth Mother.
Shima, Shima, Shima, Shima, Shima,Shima, Shim-My Yah. The Shima is pronounced Shim mah. I sing this, but you can do what how it feels comfortable.
Find something to make this a moving meditation, with motion in the sunlight.
It is most invigorating in the early morning hours as the the sun is just fully risen.
This is a practice among others that will help to build your personal energy, open you to the field, allow some joint lubrication, similar to Tai Chai, and you can certainly get creative here. You do not need to follow my directions after you get familiar with them.
But it is probably good to stick to a clockwise motion to start with, then you can
begin to shift that around too as you find it more comfortable.
Make your motions gracefull and sweeping, allow your hands a certain amount of softness and gentle motion. The light isn't going to fall out of them, give your arms looseness and
let them float when turning. Doing so engages a certain attitude with the brain that this is
enjoyable. Don't be rigid.
Have fun. May your heart dance upon this good red Earth!
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