Dancing and shaking offer significant benefits to the body, mind, and spirit. Dancing can raise energy levels and provide other physical benefits, release tension, break up habitual patterns, enhance spirituality, and invite self-discovery. Shaking can reroute and reprogram physical, mental, and emotional holding patterns toward greater freedom.
Depending upon the specific condition in a person with cancer, recommended forms of movement may vary. Cancer patients with serious physical conditions impairing their mobility should not engage in intensive shaking.
James S. Gordon, MD of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine recommends dancing and shaking at the beginning of each day.
- Find some music with a fast tempo for the shaking, and simply use feel good music for the dancing. Plan for about 7-10 minutes of shaking and another 7-10 minutes for the dancing.
- Plant your feet solidly on the ground. Let your arms hang loosely at your sides, and make sure that your knees are bent. Let your body become loose as you begin to shake or bounce your entire body up and down, keeping your feet planted. Drop your jaw, let your head calmly rest easily on your neck. Let your body make whatever sound it wants to make. Remember to keep your knees soft, your body soft, and BREATHE. Continue for 7-10 minutes.
- Stop the shaking music and just hold the energy for a moment. Pause and really feel the energy in your body.
- Turn on any dance music and let yourself move freely in whatever way feels right. Continue for 7-10 minutes.
Consider these questions to ponder for moving and grooving with dancing and shaking.
- What are your favorite tunes?
- When is the last time you danced?
- Will you explore dancing and shaking?
- How do you feel when you experience movement?
For More Information
- American Dance Therapy Association
- Center for Mind-Body Medicine
- Returning to Health With Dance, Movement And Imagery by Anna Halprin
Learn more about movement to connect with and engage a range of benefits from dance and other practices.
