You hear it in class – OK! FreeDance! Anything Goes Movement Wise! Sometimes enticing and sometimes scary words to hear. When I started as a Nia student, FreeDance sent me scurrying to the water fountain or restroom, anywhere to escape. Now I love FreeDance. What changed? Determined to get my money’s worth from the class, I decided not to leave the room and instead to stick my toe in the water, almost literally. Under the skillful guidance of Nia teachers, I began experiencing FreeDance as a fun way to explore movement. Over time, even more powerfully, I now enjoy FreeDance as a way to explore me as a person, as a safe place to play with self-expression.

FreeDance, the fourth of the 13 Nia principles, gives us the opportunity to explore beyond our habitual ways of moving. If we usually tap our right foot, FreeDance can be tapping our left foot instead. If we usually walk forwards, FreeDance can be walking backwards. Contrary to the name, FreeDance is not necessarily about dance or coming up with dance steps. But, because anything goes movement wise, we definitely can do dance steps of our choosing. If we love to waltz or jitterbug or hip-hop, for example, FreeDance lets us explore these dances within different kinds of music.

FreeDance has several guiding elements. First, we let sensation arise within movement. Second, we let sounds come into our bodies and stimulate movement. Third, we pretend! Pretend gleeful, mad, sensual, cat, dog, tiger, mouse. Fourth, we let spontaneity spark the real us. Fifth, we change every so often, letting variety guide us. Sixth, we let curiosity help us notice movement as we let go of judging and censoring. Seventh, we may experience what in Nia is called, “the accidental click,” where we find ourselves moving in unison with body, mind, emotions, and spirit. It is a feeling of coming home into our bodies – Yummy. And finally, eighth, we can play and explore in different levels and planes of movement. The eight elements do not need to be taken sequentially. They are simply guides to help each of us, everyBody, ‘get our money’s worth’ from FreeDance. J

Comments welcome. Wishing you the best of what’s best for you, Lesley