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Archive for January, 2009

Jan 28

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Fascia & Baby Dancemeditation

I received two wonderful notes from Dancemeditation teacher/practitioners:

First from Teresa Dunyati-Long, CDMT, and neruoscience PhD candidate, about moving with fascial awareness:
“I think you have got a dead eye bead on this! And its not only
the conditioning of the skeleto-muscular systems that is enhanced, but
also functioning of the entire nervous system. That is really the
thrust of my research — the somatic component of cognition, which
depends on the integrity of the cells that give rise to cognition.
It is so miraculous, Dunya! During Dancemeditation to an African-style
marimba band, I was able to see the links in the chain from the first
stirrings of matter out of a sea of golden and silver energy, how they
self-organize due to the interaction between the Void and the Energy
such that everything manifest occurs. It was a heady vision — I was doing Perpetual Motion fascia to the music. Massively powerful whole-brain vision induction technique combination.
Artists always get there first, Dunya, did you know that? I can show
you strong evidence even scientists would have to agree with….hence,
all our dance artists got to the right combination of techniques to
sustain mind and body in creative adaptability. You are definitely one
of the pioneers in this field.”

And this from Stephanie Rudloe, CDMT, about Dancemeditation practice with her new baby, Priscilla.
“The baby was quite remarkable yesterday; she joined me in Dancemeditation practice. I sat her on the floor in front of me & she did the first moves of the Opening Sequence – forward bend. Doing her own movement – mostly sitting up & with her own little shimmy rocking hand movement. Then it moved into some baby form of contact improv & then we both did our own thing rolling around on the carpet. She made it half way thru ‘Sufi Traveler’ (20 minutes) before wanting to nurse. Who would have thought Dancemeditation for babies?!”

Jan 11

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Morning Dance

In the land of false flowers, there is a mirror.
Stop gaping there.

Turns your eyes in,
where Gaze has heat running under the skin,
and marbles of pulses roll
along the canals between the eyeballs and toes.

Sensation is the first way of Knowing who we are.
This Dance is not what you think.
This Dance is what you don’t think.

We are incarnated, blood everywhere,
in and out.

Don’t turn from these flowers,
these carnations.
On Earth, hearts forever pray such blooms,
gratitude for what’s Real.

Jan 7

Florida wksp

This is from Anna Kinsgbury, CDMT, on the recent Dancemeditation in Florida:

“I’d like to acknowledge Surya who attracted 45 students to Dunya’s Sensual Motion workshop in Fort Lauderdale. Surya got a big space with big sound system and had a big percentage pre-registered for a smooth and quick registration process. Many of the participants were Surya‘s students, friends and teachers which speaks to her successful yoga practice. Students also came from yoga studios and Belly dance meetups. She sold out of Dunya’s book and one of the DVD’s and people were wanting more. Congratulations to Surya on an inspiring and successful event.”

I hear back from Jane that people had a wonderful time.
And here’s one review from newbie, Lesa:
Dunya’s class was awesome, very thought provoking and interesting, and I’m sore! I also have a better understanding of Sufism. So cool!

What really touched me was Surya’s motivation for sponsoring me in FL. She wanted her students to meet me as the source of this practice and as a major influence on her teaching. (I had assumed it was in order to get the ball rolling for her classes; which it may do as well, but that was not her primary intention.) It is very very touching to be so honored.

Susan Schmickle sent this:
Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for the workshop you offered in Ft. Lauderdale.  It still unfolds insight, longing and many gifts. When I got home, I found myself reading–no, devouring–your book. Beautiful, inspiring.  Thank you also for that. So my body and my heart, my mind and my spirit bow to you and send you love & blessings.