That’s right! This is an amazing space to experience absolute freedom of your body’s ability to move, however big or small that may be for you. You are experimenting with movement and breath, with rhythms and feelings that the music can stir up for you. Music connects us to the emotional body and can guide you on how to move through your very own dance.

Because this is self-paced, you can work up the biggest sweat and let your lungs burn OR you can rest in the music OR you can do both. You will absolutely see everything happening. Some people will be using the chairs, floor or walls for support, others will be moving around the room. There is acceptance for everyone on the open floor. You are encouraged to move as much as feels good to you. Similar to any practice, after a while of coming to class, your mind will relax and the body will move without any thought or judgement. We go from being self-conscious to simply being conscious of self. There are chairs and spots to rest and even if you are using them, you will be engaged: finger and toe tapping are encouraged as is holding space for others by still engaging with the energy in the room. Conscious dance is a time for being in the now, in this space and with the people on the floor.

Every tempo, genre, some known, some not … It’s an amazing array of sounds and rhythms. I also love to use silence as a means to listen deeply and to be honest about how your body truly wants to move.

Yes, this was my feeling too in my very first classes. Isn’t that how we all feel when we are beginning any activity with others? All the “What if I …??!!” So I will offer this: Like any meditation, when you have constant chitter chatter of the brain or the active monkey-mind jumping from one negative thought to the next, keep coming to your breath AND in mindful movement we add, keep coming to your feet. Ground your self and simply walk the room. Soon, you will drop out of your busy head; your breath will ease into the movement. You’ll be carried and held by the music. Put all your thoughts and feelings into your movement. Music will move you and you will be moved by the music.

I have had local gym/class memberships over the years. I teach/take yoga classes. Still what I have found for me is: I come back to the classes that get my heartbeat going and that lift my Spirit. I continue with classes that make me stronger, classes where I have fun and classes where I can connect with others. In my Open Floor classes, I’m free to move any way I want – not as the teacher is telling me – but how I can that day, in that moment. I have not been to any other group class that offers me this freedom.

That is so not true!! 🙂 If you breathe – you have rhythm!! Your heartbeat is the most beautiful rhythm!! Just like your voice, your eyes and your fingerprint, or the way you walk or sing, you have your own rhythm and way of moving. We don’t need to look any particular way when we move on the open floor. It is all accepting, very much like a yoga mat should be. You simply keep moving and slowly more and more will unfold. This I know for sure.