What makes Sensual Dance an ART?

Well think of it like a Raw Cashew Cheesecake. *see recipe below

We must have the main ingredients to make the cake, just like we must have the core elements to put into practice while embracing Sensual Dance as an ART.

Starting with the crust of the cake, you’ll need some yummy “nuts and dates” perhaps macadamia, pecan and/or walnuts nuts.
Comparing the foundation of Sensual Dance as an ART to “nuts and dates”, I want you to look at your body as “circles and lines”.
Total acceptance of your body as a piece of art. When we observe our bodies as “circles and lines”, we remove the judgments and perceived “worldly” expectations as to what our bodies “should” look like.
In essence, our bodies are perfect.

This takes us to the middle of the cake which requires cashews, honey, coconut oil.
So what is needed to create a strong center for our dance?
As mentioned above, our bodies are perfect. When we practice holding our skeletal structure and muscle mass in proper alignment, we can see our natural eloquence shine through, regardless of size, shape etc. So “proper body alignment” is a key element.

We also want to have a basic understanding of the relationship between our “bodies and space”. We must learn how to manipulate the space around us, and vice versa. In doing this we are able to flow easily and gracefully within it.

Thirdly we ALWAYS want to let our C.O.G. “center of gravity” move us. We want our movements to come from deep within us. Where is our center of gravity? It’s a few inches below your belly button. This spot on your body is the middle point between your top half and your bottom half, you weight “centers” here and you are equally balanced on both sides. When you move from your center, you are moving from a place of honesty and strength. You will feel more powerful and sure of yourself, therefore appearing as such to others.

Now for the topping! BERRIES!!!
BLUEBERRIES! STRAWBERRIES! RASPBERRIES! etc. etc. etc….

Much like the “icing on the cake”, so to speak, you can color up your dance by adding character to your movements with little smiles, winks, kisses, facial expressions and accents that “personalize” and make your ART unique and sensually pleasing to both you and your audience.

So just to re-cap…
The crust for the cake is “nuts and dates” and the foundation for the dance is “circles and lines”
The center of the cake is “cashews, honey & coconut oil” and the core of the dance is “proper alignment”, “bodies & space” and C.O.G.
The topping of the cake is “berries” and for the dance, it’s “personalizing”.

Enjoy your dance & your cheesecake!

Raw Cashew Cheesecake recipe:

1. Place macadamia nuts in large bowl, and cover with cold water. Place cashews in separate bowl, and cover with cold water. Soak nuts 4 hours, then rinse, drain, and set aside.

2. Pulse macadamia nuts and dates in food processor to a sticky crumb-like consistency. Sprinkle dried coconut on bottom of 8-inch pie pan. Press macadamia nut mixture onto coconut to make crust.

3. Place cashews, coconut oil, lime juice, honey, and 6 Tbs. water in bowl of food processor. Pour mixture onto crust, and freeze 1 to 2 hours, or until firm. Remove from freezer, slice while frozen, and transfer to serving platter. Defrost in fridge 1 hour, or on counter top 30 minutes; top with berries; and serve.

~ Heidi Ann xox

sensualdanceart (at) gmail (dot) com

(I posted a picture of me with my tongue so beautifully exposed… because I LOVE my tongue, and I’ve always wanted to post a picture like that… and I just DID IT!)

It’s time to JUST DO IT! Just DANCE! Just SING! Just SAY IT… say what you’ve been wanting to say for YEARS! That which gives you JOY, LOVE, EXCITEMENT, HAPPINESS, YUMMY FEELINGS, GOOD FEELINGS, MAKES YOU FEEL FREE, LIKE A CHILD, PLAYFUL, SILLY, etc, etc, etc…! For soooooo long you’ve not given yourself the permission. For far tooooo long you’ve not allowed yourself to just DO IT.

So why have you waited so long? What were the reasons for you to have held back for all this time? Was is fear? FEAR??? Fear of WHAT? What could you have possibly feared that kept you from enjoying, loving and experiencing the joy of being YOU? And does it really matter anymore?

The answer: NO!

Anything or anyone who would cause fear in you for stepping into your joy, is NOT coming from a place of LOVE, therefore is not REAL. So are you going to let something that isn’t even real keep you from experiencing LIFE to the FULLEST??!!!

OF COURSE NOT!!!

So JUST DO IT!

HOORRAAYYY!!!!!

~ Heidi Ann xox

E-mail to book ~ sensualdanceart (at) gmail (dot) com

A lot of people turn their noses up to the idea of getting into physical shape because it seems like yet another HUGE commitment in life that may be time consuming and perhaps take away from other priorities.

Well, it is true that it is a commitment. However, it really doesn’t have to be time consuming or take away from ANYTHING!

In fact it could very well enhance your existing activities…

For example if you have children, you could include them in a 15-20 minute high intensity DANCE PARTY!

JUST DANCE… HARD!

Just 15-20 of good healthy cardiovascular movement EVERY DAY will get the lymphatic system moving, melt away fat/unwanted calories, improve your skin, expel toxins through your sweat and so much more!

You’ll find that as you incorporate free form dancing into your daily life, you’ll begin to really enjoy, and look forward to it. Again if you have kids, It’s also a GREAT way to connect with them while encouraging them to move their bodies as well!

What I really love about this practice is that it doesn’t require anything fancy. All you need is a stereo system to pump the tunes, and a space to MOVE!

Experiment with this for at least 30 days and watch your body transform!

sensualdanceart (at) gmail (dot)com

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For many years I have studied and practiced Kriya Yoga which is a meditation practice deeply rooted in East Indian spiritual teachings.

As I began delving deeper and deeper into the practice, my movements and attitudes towards dance, music and performance art began to change. I did not know at the time, however the poses and movements that I naturally began to incorporate into my creative movement sessions where extremely sacred and in fact resembled the 108 Kasanas of the Tandava.

Tandava is the divine dance art form performed by Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva is the destroyer of the world, following Brahma, the creator and Vishnu, the preserver, after which Brahma again creates the world and so on. Shiva is responsible for change both in the form of death and destruction and in the positive sense of the shedding of old habits. (In Shivaisim, Shiva is all three… destroyer, creator and preserver)

Tandava “Shiva’s dance” represents both the destruction and the creation of the universe and reveals the cycles of death, birth and rebirth. His Dance of Bliss is for the welfare of the world. They are comprised of 108 kananas (poses)

“Rudra Tandava” is when the poses are danced with aggression or intensity… this depicts his violent nature first as creator and then destroyer.

“Ananda Tandava” is a joyful, lighter way of performing the poses. It depicts him as the enjoyer of his creations.

Goddess Parvati, who is the divine feminine aspect of Shiva… and is said to be his consort or wife, dances in response to Shiva’s Tandava. This dance is known as Lasya, in which the movements are gentle, graceful and sometimes erotic. Lasya is said to be to be the feminine version of Tandava.

I aspire to incorporate more and more of the 108 Kasanas into my Sensual Dance ART, as it is an aspect of me that is wanting to express itself.

Stay tuned for more Sensual Dance ART!

~Heidi Ann

sensualdanceart (at) gmail (dot) com

Here is an easy formula to create YOUR very own sensual dance routine!

1. Pick a song that you really connect with… preferably a slow sensual song

2. Listen to it all the way through

3. Divide the song into parts – for example, verse, verse, chorus, bridge, verse (each song is different)

4. Find the beat within the song and CLAP it OUT! Count out loud… 1,2,3,4 – 1,2,3,4 etc.
(you might want to get a musician friend, or musically inclined individual to help out with this if you are having difficulty getting the beat).

5. Create specific poses that match the number of beats in each part of the song. – for example if you clap out 4 beats in the 1st verse you may pick 4 different poses to go with the 4 beats in the 1st verse. If you clap out 8 beats in the chorus, you may pick 8 different movements to go with the 8 beats in the chorus. Or to create some contrast, you may want to hold a pose for 2 beats, and only create 6 poses for an 8 beat part. Do you follow?

6. Run through all your poses, in time with the song, changing the set of movements for each “part”.

7. Practice! Practice! Practice!

8. When you feel like you’ve got it down really good… get yourself some sexy costuming (see my previous post on costumes), dim the lights (see my previous post on lighting), and invite your lucky lover to sit back and enjoy the show (see my previous post on marking your territory)!!!!

Let me know how it goes!

~ Heidi Ann

sensualdanceart (at) gmail (dot) com

It is important to define your space when you are about to attempt a sensual dance. It’s kind of like marking your territory. You want to feel comfortable, safe and in control.

A dog who is marking his territory is saying to other dogs that these are his things, his boundaries; that he is the owner of everything that contains the unique scent of his urine.
Now we don’t have to go around the room urinating on everything, however we do want to go around the room and energetically “urinate” on everything.

First you want to get a feel for the properties of the room and really get in touch with the area you will be working in. It may be a large stage or a tiny bedroom.

Walk around the space, fill the space with your footsteps. As you are walking, say to yourself things like “this is my space”, “I choose what takes place in this space”, “I am in full control here” etc.

Once you have covered the room with your footsteps, circle the outer edges of the room. Like a bald eagle or a hawk that is circling a wooded area from way up high in the sky. You can even open your arms up like wings, and embody a beautiful bird in flight. Or simply walk about in a sultry, slow and seductive fashion. Once you have done this and you feel that you have put enough of your energy into the space and that you “own” it, you are ready to do-your-thing!

Again, what you are doing here, is defining your space, marking your territory. Creating a safe space for you to perform in. You can do this before your performance or during. Sometimes incorporating this at the beginning of your dance, can be extremely HOT! Get a feel for it, and you can choose!

sensualdanceart (at) gmail (dot) com

I’d like you to consider for a moment where you are at in life. What are you wanting? What are you not clear about… and why? Explore the reasons why you are not clear, evaluate weather you are in agreement or disagreement with all the reasons you are not clear, and then get really-super-clear about them! You actually DO know exactly what you want… in every moment!

Take two food items that you can hold in your hands… Close your eyes and feel with your spirit which one you feel most drawn to. It may come to you in words, you may want to explore the labels, your hands may start to tingle telling you which one to choose. Let your whole being tell you which one is BEST for you. You will know. This is how I want you approach making decisions in every day life etc.

Okay, so once you’re clear about what you are wanting, then you can relax into that thought or idea. You can relax, because you have not judged yourself as being good or bad, right or wrong… because your choices where based on what your heart simply desired. So simple really. So relaxing.

100% FREE from guilt! FREE from fear! FREE from hostility! FREE from resentment!

Listen to your spirit. It will speak through your body. And when you are able to hear and make decisions based on what your spirit says is 100% BEST for you… then you are well on your way to living a stress FREE, happy & fulfilling life!

You are also well on your way to performing the hottest sensual dance EVER!

Find out HOW all this ties in with Sensual Dance…

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