Shakti's Sacred Dance Workshops

Shakti is ecstatic to be back on Kaua'i and is offering 2 classes on ancient sacred dance in celebration of her return:

• Kundalini Dance Meditation (4:00 - 5:00 PM Sundays)
• Core Energetics: Isolations at the chakras (5:10 - 6:00 PM Sundays)

Sacred Dance and the Chakras: Introduction

Just as a musician must know the notes of his instrument without having to think about them so the music can flow from source to fingertips unimpeded, so should the dancer know the notes of her body so energy can flow through her as fast as she channels it.

I teach control and connectedness to the physical instrument that is your body by teaching mastery of motion at 7 principle locations, corresponding to the 7 chakras. The chakras form the seven basic energy centers in the body, each of which correlates to major nerve ganglia branching forth from the spinal column. When energy flows smoothly and cleanly through the chakras, the body's vitality increases. The following illustration is by the brilliant visionary artist Alex Grey and accurately illuminates the locations, colors, and energies of the chakras in the human body.

The 7th chakra is located at the crown of our head. When open, it brings us knowledge, wisdom, understanding, spiritual connection, and bliss. The Sacred Dance movement that stimulates this energy center is the meditative subliminal head circle.

The 6th chakra is located at the third eye center. It is related to the act of seeing, both physically and intuitively. When healthy it allows us to see clearly, in effect, letting us "see the big picture." The Sacred Dance movement that stimulates this energy center is the sight circle, a head circle centered on the eyes performed while focusing our sight and consciousness on the direction of movement.

The 5th chakra is located in the throat and relates to communication and creativity. The Sacred Dance isolation that stimulates this chakra are the shoulder isolations which free up our voices and breath to express ourselves. 

The 4th chakra is at the heart. It is where the love of mother earth for the sky meets the love of the sky for the earth within our human forms. It is related to breath, the ability to feel emotions, and the ability to give and receive love, especially as expressed through our the creative, loving potential inherent in our hands and arms. The Sacred Dance moves that stimulate the fourth chakra are centered at the heart.

This chakra is known as the power chakra, located in the solar plexus. It rules our personal power, will, and autonomy, as well as our metabolism.  Stomach & abdominal isolations stimulate this chakra.

The second chakra, just below the navel, is related to our sexual and reproductive health as well as kidney and urinary tract function. The Sacred Dance move that we use to stimulate this chakra are upper pelvic circles & high kegel exercises.

Located at the base of the spine, this chakra forms our foundation. It is related to our survival instincts, and to our sense of grounding and connection within our bodies. Hip isolations stimulate this chakra.

Other Mideastern & Sacred Dance Class Topics

• Class Goals & Basic Posture
• Physical Health Benefits of Mideastern dance
• Directions of Movement in Sacred Dance: Lesson 1 - Isolations & Basic Geometry
• Sacred Dance and the Chakras: Introduction
• Sacred Dance and the Chakras: Manifesto
• Tribal or Cabaret?
• Shakti's Quick-Start Guide to Henna
• Balancing Things on Your Head
• Energetic Arms