Inner Eye Publishing Articles Creativity Intuition Empowerment

Are You Connected?

By Nancy Marie

I was in my twenties when I was first introduced to Contact Improv-an improvisational dance technique. The unrehearsed nature of this art form did not give me the luxury of knowing what I was supposed to do-and then be good at it. It also didn't give me any preliminary clues on what everyone else was going to be doing, so I couldn't brace myself or prejudge the situation. The process was challenging, spontaneous and organic. It required me to trust the other dancers, and myself.

In the beginning it was difficult for me to stay centered and also be aware of my contact points with the other dancers. I was constantly faced with my rigidity and negative beliefs about myself, others and life. The demands of this improvisational art form awakened my senses, and strengthened my ability to listen to my own inner guidance. Originally, this constantly changing dance form was created to free the body of habitual movement patterns and help dancers learn how to move from a more authentic place. Ultimately, this dance technique enabled me to respond more genuinely to anything happening in any given moment-not just on the dance floor. The process was dynamic, organic and as unpredictable as life-it was a wonderful teacher!

The instructor directed us to place special attention on the points of contact as we moved together. It didn't matter if we were on our feet, leaning against a wall, or being lifted into the air-we always had to be aware of our points of connection. This process helped me become aware of the fact that we are always transitioning from one point of contact to another point of contact-nothing is stationary.

Learning this technique shifted the way I experienced life. I had always felt insignificant and isolated, but moving in this manner helped me realize I was connected to everything-even the cracks in the dance studio wall. It also helped me see how my inaccurate beliefs were distorting my perceptions, coloring my responses and holding me back. When I came to the realization that all of life was an improvisational dance and that I am really connected to the ground when I stand, the chair when I sit, and another person when I speak-even if we disagree-I felt a deep sigh of relief. So if you find yourself feeling alone, isolated or insignificant-remember that we are all connected and are moving together in an unstructured dance. All of our thoughts, movements, and responses are impacting each other. So with that in mind, lets create a dance of love and acceptance.

Nancy Marie is a driving force for self-actualization and the creator of the I Create What I Believe! Self-Awareness Art Program. This groundbreaking program, which is based on the research of Dr. Bruce Lipton, introduces children and adults to the art of transforming their stifling subconscious beliefs with the mere flick of their pencil or crayon. Ms. Marie is also the author and illustrator of: Out of the Box and Into Yourself!, Passage of Change, A fable based on the research of Bruce Lipton, Ph.D., and The Beckoning Song of Your Soul, A Guidebook for Developing Your Intuition.