What is Biodanza
Biodanza is a self development system that brings together music, mindful movement and human connection. It is often called the ‘Dance of Life’. It transformed mine!
Discovering Biodanza
I’ve loved to dance for my whole life.
I was introduced to the system of Biodanza at a dance festival around 2008. I already had considerable experience in personal development and free dance. After joining a Biodanza session at the festival, I awoke to the power of music and movement in a new way. I experienced how music could speak to me beyond words, and how partner and group dynamics expanded my awareness of the way we live life together. I felt free to play and express myself through dance, exploring and moving beyond my habitual patterns and tuning in more deeply to my instincts and the language my body was speaking.
I continued to explore Biodanza, wanting to grow through all aspects of the practice, and decided to enrole in the teacher training, which takes a minimum of three years to complete. I took my time with this journey, qualifying as an International Biodanza Federation-registered teacher in 2014. I later gained further specialist qualifications in working with human instincts and the elements, and in teaching adolescents and children.
The training had a profound impact on my life and on how I facilitate movement-based practices. Along the way, I have encountered challenges and questioned some aspects of the practice. These experiences have influenced the way I facilitate, particularly when working with trance, regression and human contact.
I place importance on self-care, personal boundaries and reciprocity in feedback. My background in human development, understanding of trauma, Nonviolent Communication and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion all inform my approach. . My intention is to create spaces where all voices can be heard and participants are offered choice in how they engage.
Biodanza is a system that supports personal integration, inviting us to explore our inner worlds, our relationships with others and our connection with the wider world. Its intention is to cultivate well-being and support the flourishing of life.
You can read more about Biodanza and scientific research here.
Hear Maritza from Denmark speak about her experience of attending a “Conscious Wellbeing Event” in Greece with me!
The body says what words cannot
Martha Graham
A progressive journey
Long before I began teaching Biodanza, I practised yoga and led music and movement sessions for children using the HighScope key experiences. I also regularly danced Changes and 5Rhythms, jived and danced salsa, and worked with the Workshop 42 approach.
I have a background in Humanistic Counselling, am a qualified coach, NLP Master Practitioner and Certified Trainer in Nonviolent Communication (NVC), and Authentic Movement facilitor. My experience across these fields informs how I teach and integrate principles of embodiment into all of my work.
I lead workshops and retreats in the UK and Greece, bringing together NVC and a variety of movement and dance approaches. I also work one-to-one with people.
Here, I talk with Mark Walsh about my work with NVC and Biodanza in the Embodiment Podcast Series.
During the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, Julia Hope Brightwell, whom I had met during our Biodanza teacher training, invited me into a conversation about developing a new dance system. This led to us developing the Dance Connection system.
You can read more about how I work with movement and dance during workshops and retreats here.