Our first dance in a new space with a new format is here!
March 22nd @ Pacific Cultural Center
1307 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
6:30 – 7:25 Orientation (there is a 1x requirement in order to dance that night, no entrance after 6:40 pls)
7:30-9:30 Dance (including closing circle)
Facebook Meetup
Did you know there is a difference between the definitions of Power & Strength?
Power = The ability to move something (in any direction) with force
Strength = The capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure.
Let’s apply this to Masculine & Feminine Energy.
Power = Feminine Energy
Strength = Masculine Energy
Now take this into a metaphor of a River working its way down from the Mountain to the Ocean:
The River Bank is the Strength – the Masculine energy.
The River is the Power – the Feminine Energy.
What do you have if you have too much Masculine energy?
What do you have if you have too much Feminine energy?
What are your conclusions about this metaphor?
If the River wants to make it all the way to the Ocean, the Masculine Banks have to harmonize with the Feminie River in a lovely dance of Strenght & Power….
Movement Medicine Dance uses this metaphor at its foundation.
The Ecstatic Dance Journey is an AMAZING practice to rekindle the feminine within ~ reconnecting us with our emotions & feelings (both seen as water elements), which have been dammed up for way too long.
Yet, as many of us have experienced, in our quest to break free of the Banks within the world at large – we have lost touch with what the Healthy Masculine looks and feels like. If we are not careful to reclaim, re-educate, re-acquaint ourselves with some harmonizing Masculine energies, we most likely will be in for some flooding.
It is with this idea that I offer a two-fold invitation:
First, how can you honor the need for and presence of the Healthy Masculine in your life?
One that won’t take offense to the powerful force of nature the Feminine is in all Her Chaotic Glory.
One that allows Her to butt up against Him with a laugh, a smile as if to say “I’ve got you in this.”
One that can Stand His Stead in Her presence without fear, calling Her on Her sh*t when needed.
One that allows the rage and then with love, devotion and discipline steers, guides Her back into Her flow.
One that lives in a Harmony with your Feminine.
Second, how can you honor the men in your life (including yourself if you identify as one) for the space they have held for you, even if in an imperfect messy way?
With so much sensitivity to this topic personally and collectively – I offer this idea: men are and have been no better off in patriarchy. IN healing my own stories of men and their place in my life, my heart began to ache. As I stop and really listen to my brothers; as I watch the culture my 2 sons are growing up in; and as I look towards my own Masculine side, while I obviously cannot speak with experience, it seems as if it can be really freakin’ confusing and painful to be identifying as a man right now, to say the least.
So, if we want to rewrite the story of the Masculine, we have to start at home, with our own stories.
How can you find even just one small thing in your story to honor in one or more of the important men in your life? Even just one small thing? For in finding this one small thing, you will begin to rewrite your story.
If you feel stuck, here are some of my examples:
For me, it was honoring my dad for leaving at 1.5 years old. It was a blessing in disguise in the long run.
For me, it was honoring the man who reminded me of something my gruffy, stiff and hard-nosed grandpa used to do to me, to make me laugh, that annoyed me. And honoring my grandpa by seeing this man’s reaction to my reaction.
For me, it was honoring my ex-husband’s unwillingness to grow with me…for I wouldn’t be here birthing this new space today if he had been willing.
Lastly, on a personal note, this theme picked me because as we embark on this new journey, it felt HIGHLY important to me to honor the men that have paved the way for us thus far in the ED world within Santa Cruz – and thus the world:
Hamid, Daniel, Micheal, Avatar, Brian, Theo (and so many others I am surely not aware of):
I am in deepest gratitude for your love, support and care for the community that has been largely ignited & supported by your Masculine energy holding space for the Feminine.
Your examples, your journeys and your spirits teach us much about the Healthy Masculine energies of
discipline and commitment, mixed with devotion.
I am humbly excited to be joining in on this adventure at this level.
And say – for what’s it’s worth – you are not alone dear brothers.
We sisters are here to do the work and carry the torch of community with you.
With the deepest bow, I honor each of you.*
I also honor Inner Rhythm, which has been my dancing home for nearly 5 years.
Words will never suffice what the space at IR has meant and means to me.
It is only in the Dance, in the fullness of this human experience, that I can express
my deepest heartfelt appreciation and gratitude.
Now…let’s get Moovin!
- * One more: I would like to honor all my sisters in the SC community who have brought the beautiful bold Masculine energy forward in these past few years to hold space for us too! Such trailblazers!
