Creative dance is explored as an extension of the yoga practice. Music of all ages and cultures is used to further explore the rich and varied artistic, emotional, physical and spiritual levels of human experience. Dynamics, spatial awareness, and sensitivity to others through ensemble work are promoted through the design of the dance space, props and simple but effective directions from the teacher. Music or idea becomes the choreographer of the dance that evolves. Dancers are led towards a level of creative participation which allows them to extend and surpass their previous levels of involvement in the dance experience. The realization of this potential to create is a joyful and uplifting moment.

Music, the language of the universe, is used as a tool to invoke and express one or more of the elements of the yogic Chakra system. For instance, broadly speaking the musics of indigenous cultures with instruments as drums, sticks, rocks awaken the earth chakra at the base of the spine. The dance it brings about is of the pelvic floor, with feet firm against the earth, stomping and thumping.
Spanish music with castanets and tambourines awakens the fire inside, that part of the body which releases energy to move from the solar plexus, the middle Fire Chakra. Indian and Middle Eastern music awakens the gypsy within, encouraging wondrously adventurous leaps, darting, springing, as well as standing tall and steady in one's own light and dignity.
Water music contains all the character of water, be it tiny, trickling droplets, swirling and spiraling whirlpools or raging torrents and waterfalls. A listening can direct the pelvic area, from the lower back and yet guided by the hips, flowing is the appropriate description. Schubert’s impromptus awaken us to the dance of water... along with certain Strauss compositions, works of Smetana, Brahms, Liszt and many more.
To dance from the heart is to fly like a bird, as if the legs and feet are non-existent or just simply an after thought that follows the music. Flute and oboe musics are often of the Air Chakra... Chopin nocturnes and waltzes seem to dance in the air along with many Mozart Compositions.
When consciousness is lifted even higher perhaps with certain musics of Bach, Beethoven or the haunting French composer Debussy, we could find ourselves moving primarily from the Throat Chakra. The dancer can be inspired by the image of a transparent bubble of light, or a feather floating lighter than air itself.
The sacred dance is experienced in a transformed state of such beauty. The essence of the dance is of a spiritual nature because it is an expression of the creative spirit within. It responds to the sound of mythical bells, choirs of angelic voices, certain sacred works of the greats, Handel, Bach, Beethoven, Albinoni, and of course the ancient temples of the far east.

Yet in the wholeness we seek on the never ending journey of self awareness through yoga, the real dance is when all the centres are wide open to respond to "what is".

In other words...

What is happening at this very moment?
What does it ask of me?
What am I feeling in response to this moment?
What quality does it awaken?

"What is" asks everything of us. It is the ultimate awareness. It demands embracing completely even if it is not to our liking. It demands trust, surrender and humility. It demands courage, self esteem and energy. It demands gratitude, generosity, lightheartedness, and enthusiasm. It demands being totally true to oneself and ones own creative process through the unfolding dance of life.