Dance Like Everybody's Watching
April Fools of Undersky, plus a 5-min. practice to shake that thang 💃🏻
Happy Flourishing Friday! My Heart loves to connect with Brave Creatives like you, and to celebrate the joy of being alive (despite anxious little Monkeys that worry what others think). Ever wish you could be that weirdo who’s jamming to their own drummer without a care in the world? Today’s 5-minute practice is for you (jump below). Let’s dance!
Do you ever let yourself get really silly and wild with truly excessive joy? If not, it’s ok. It’s not your fault. It’s only the Monkeys Who Fear Becoming Deeply Embarrassed Adults. As kids, many were taught to extinguish our playful energy in the name of productivity. So we’re missing out on a hella lot of freedom. And liberty.
I’m blessed to be part of a creative community of free spirits who dance outside in a park every Wednesday at noon. We dance in rain, shine, snowflakes, hail and mud. We dance in bare feet or running shoes or kick-ass boots. We dance to playlists provided by rotating volunteer DJs, in a sacred circle of outdoor speakers. It’s crazy fun. Our joy is compelling. We entice dog walkers and gasp - even teenagers! to dance with us.
This is what community looks like. With gifted facilitators and devoted dancers holding space for three years, Undersky Dancers has grown to 25 to 40 regulars. Dance is a huge part of the glue. It’s vulnerable to shake your thing in broad daylight with folks you don’t know (yet). With a pre-game sound bath in a lovely grove of cedars, and a snack-and-sharing circle after, it’s a co-created joy-fest.
The bonds we’ve grown feel rich and true and deep and trustworthy. We hug a lot. We care for each other. And invent opportunities to connect beyond our weekly dance. This kind of togetherness could save lives. Or at least make us feel a lot better.
Why not be Sacred Fools, in Love with Life? I can think of at least fourteen worse things for a Wednesday at noon.
Need a smidge of joyful energy? Try this.
May this 5-minute practice bring you some goofy joy! This video features my ridiculous alter-ego Queen Poopicina sharing the ‘Holy Sh*t’ 💩 version of the tool, with a spontaneous dance to Parliment Funkadelic. Or read the steps below.
Dancing Shoes: How can I celebrate life with more joy?
BREATHE deeply. RECALL a time you expressed yourself in a natural, physical, joyful way.
VISUALIZE the most awesome, inviting pair of dancing shoes at your feet. STEP into the shoes. Notice color, shape, how well they fit.
IMAGINE your favorite music starting to play.
SEE yourself beginning to move. Notice that you’re being carried away into the dance (if you feel nervous or inhibited, close your eyes. That way nobody can see you).
IMAGINE following this impulse, wherever the dance leads you. Does an imaginary partner, friend or group want to join you?
When you’re done, REFLECT: “Now, I feel…”
Make it Real: Express yourself physically
EXPLORE: Write or tell someone about your dance.
CREATE: Find a space where you’re comfortable. Put on some great music and do a real dance!
MANIFEST: This week, make time to dance, or express yourself with other forms of movement, in a space that feels right. Invite someone to join you.
🗣️ Your turn to be brave…
When was the last time you danced? With others? In your bathroom? 🤣 How did it feel?
Are you part of a creative community? What kind? Is it good, helpful, or fun?
What’s your favorite dance jam?
Am I the only weirdo who dances with wild abandon? Please tell me I’m not.
saw this really Dope Guy at Burning Man…1)
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Thank you for tapping into your Joy 💝 When you click that heart, comment, or share, you’re helping more brave creative souls find us. 🙏🏼💗🙌🏽 Plus, I swear I’ll do an actual happy dance.
Dance on, Brave Creatives. More to come!
This “Both Are True” post on Goofing brought me almost as much Joy as my dance crew.
Christine, this is the highlight of my day! I will work hard to not postpone my joy. Thank you for sharing. :)
1. Last time I danced: The last time I really danced was... so long ago I can't remember. I do get up on roller skates from time to time which is sort of dancing since there's always music going, but the last time I skated was weeks ago. I think I'm overdue for a real dance party.
2. Am I part of a creative community: Yes! Substack namely, but I also drop into a skate night once in awhile. It's been quite some time though, so again, I'm overdue.
3. Favorite dance jam(s): Anything by Dee-lite, Underdog by Sly and the Family Stone, Cream by Prince... I could go on.
4. When I do dance, I try to dance with abandon.
Thanks again, Christine, for making my day! :)
Learning to dance is also a great way to get those neurons firing. Free dance or choreographed, keep moving.