The Fusion of Fabric, Color and 3rd Chakra (Yellow)

 

The Fusion of Fabric, Color and 3^rd Chakra (Yellow)

Denise E Williams/Subtle Woman

Occupational Therapist/Wellness Counselor

Healing Touch Certified Practitioner &

Psychic/Intuitive Empath & Medium

11.24.2021

The 3^rd Chakra embodies the color, yellow. This color symbolizes Energy, intellect, and new beginnings. In addition, self-confidence, empowerment and gut instincts are seated in the Solar Plexus Chakra. I indulged myself and foraged my closet and drawers to create my yellow-inspired costume, including my mother’s woven top (Michael Simon/NYC) and woven gold hat (my creation). Upon viewing the video, I smiled at the serendipitous inclusion of the overhead yellow light fixture—the Sun.

When I chose the song, Momma, Do I Gotta, by Beverly Kenney, I was amused and enthused by the simplicity of the lyrics. The indwelling message of the songstress’ question seems to imply self-doubt, reliance on another and challenges with decision-making. The doubt that the lyricist implied is sung so adeptly and innocently by Ms. Kenney.

During my Shamanic and Energetic healings, I often use the 7 Chakras as a foundational tool of discernment and exploration of the Physical, Emotional, Mental and Spiritual layers. My clinical observations, as an Occupational Therapist, provide additional considerations and therapeutic intervention to enhance one’s optimal functional skills, sensory processing and self-regulation, but not limited to.

My portrayal of someone’s challenges with this perceived predicament is meant to be light-hearted and willing to resolve it. The song’s meter reminds me of a nursery rhyme or children’s song. My dance stylings are rooted in Swing, Balboa, Collegiate Shag—mirthful movements intended to make the viewer smile. The lilting vocal stylings and phrasing, also, encourage Joy.

Accessing Joy and remaining light-hearted during these complicated times are laborious and often difficult to attain. However, I remain Hopeful and Hoop-ful!!!

"She Threw Her Shoe at Me!!!"

                                                                   "She Threw Her Shoe at Me!!!" 

                                                                   Denise E Williams/Subtle Woman

Occupational Therapist/Wellness Counselor,

Healing Touch Certified Practitioner &

Psychic/Intuitive Empath & Medium 

11.11.2021 

So, this happened today... 

Along with fourteen other women, I attended Day 2 of @dance_with_judith, Judith McCarty’s AfroDance Intensive, hosted by @ladysoldancediary, Leyda “LadySol” Garcia and @jazi_jayz, Jazmin D Johnson. It was held at @SteadfastDanceCenter in Pilsen. 

The Energy in the class was stoked!!!  Judith and @gingyanya, Anya, the fiery team from NYC (by way of the Congo and Croatia), respectively, taught and modeled the flava of the Congolese Grooves and Culture—Whines, arm/hand work with dance dynamics from pianissimo (very softly) to forte (strong) i.e. tiny embers to raging fiyah.   

The ease in which Judith initiated the intricacies of the choreo put the dancers at ease. Class began with Whining drills that morphed into choreography.  Judith and Anya’s generosity of Spirit and willingness to ensure that all the dancers, despite their skills, comprehended and executed the dance sequence at an optimal level.   

As Judith completed the choreography, she selected and arranged us in different groups for filming. Heartbeat...Heartbeat...Heartbeat... (Where’s my hippocampus when I need it?) Heartbeat... I’m in the next group!!! Somehow, my indwelling comedienne comes through. [Oh yeah, discomfort...Humor, Help me NOW!!!] 

Judith looked at me and said, “Oh, Denise, you can do it by yourself.  I was flooded with dread, adrenaline and a need for a mad dash to the door! [Okay, Walter Mitty, calm down.] 

Needless-to-say, I pulled it together and gave it a Herculean effort to dance the choreo (in my weighted Hoop) with my left eye locked on her. I even shadowed Judith in an improv-driven segment—with my right eye locked on her. 

When I scurried off the dance floor, the piece de resistance landed at my feet.  A lone shoe was thrown by Lady Sol in a congratulatory gesture for my impromptu performance with Judith! Thank you, Lady Sol. 

I was flooded with unexpected Joy!!! Thank you so much Judith, Anya, Lady Sol and Jazmin [not to ignore, the alignment of the stars] for the Golden Confetti Moment today! 

The Fusion of Fabric Color and 2nd Chakra (Orange)

 

The Fusion of Fabric, Color & Chakras

Denise E Williams/Subtle Woman,

Occupational Therapist/Wellness Counselor,

Healing Touch Certified Practitioner &

Psychic/Intuitive Empath & Medium

11.17.2021

This week finds me exploring the color, Orange and the 2^nd Chakra. It is also known as the Sacral Chakra. This internal Energy center corresponds to different colors and areas of the body. It governs our emotions, creativity, relationships, well-being and self-expression.

My orange handkerchief-hem skirt and see-through lace top reminds me of the whimsy and flexibility in friendships and loving relationships. The mere definition of see-through connotes “not to be deceived by; not to be taken in by; be wise; to encourage and keep going.”  This definition offers hope in the best of relationships. [Costuming is a subtle, yet, meaningful aspect of The Hoop Narrative].

The choreography is symbolic of the frivolity that I intend to create in response to Beverly Kenney’s “It’s a Most Unusual Day.” The light piano and vocal rendition denote a slight Swing tempo. I purposefully chose the staging of the two punching bags for the 2^nd Chakra’s resistance, protection, connection, etc. as other elements within relationships. When I Swing Dance, I feel the connection of the music, rhythms, phrasing and lyrics. The dance coupling of Lead and Follow creates an element of communication, trust and often resultant--Joy!

Holistic Hoop’s vibe is pulsing with Energy, musicality, color, texture and dance. My Hoop videos reflect the symbiotic relationship that I have with my weighted Hoop, music selection and inspired movements. The synergistic neural response occurs through the Tactile (sense of touch), Vestibular (sense of movement, balance and spatial orientation) and Proprioceptive (sense of position, effort, force and heaviness) input. Hoist, Hover and Hoop…Hoist, Hover and Hoop replay in my thoughts, as I explore the conflation of music and movement in the Hoop.

Aha—another Energetic, therapeutic and wellness strategy suggests that my Parasympathetic Nervous System is positively and quickly fueled by the interplay of Hooping and Dancing. Weekly, I join DJ Vince Adams’ 10,000 StepsHouse Music Party on Twitch (audio feed) and Zoom (video feed). I am inspired by the community of online dancers, Hoopers, roller skaters and fitness enthusiasts who join this virtual event each Wednesday. I am buoyed by this multi-sensory and social-emotional experience, exp. during Covid-19.

The Fusion of Fabric, Color and 1st Chakra (Red)

 

 

The Fusion of Fabric, Color & Chakras

Denise E Williams/Subtle Woman,

Occupational Therapist/Wellness Counselor,

Healing Touch Certified Practitioner &

Psychic/Intuitive Empath & Medium

11.10.2021

 

As the seasons change, so do my fitness and well-being needs. One of the last warm days in November prompted my idea to highlight the seven colors of the chakras through my Hooping videos. Red denotes the color of the Root Chakra and my corresponding costume. The Root Chakra represents safety, security, stability and foundation. Red is the beginning of a seven blog-series which examines my self-regulation and stress reduction techniques via music, movement and prop usage during my Weighted Dance Hooping videos.

Costuming is everything to a performer. It ramps up the Ode to Joy of stage production. As Shaman & an Occupational Therapist, I know the value of weight, texture, color & compression of elements and material. The fabric, leather bottom boots, satin gloves, sateen performance fans, music and weighted Hoop evoked a Parasympathetic Nervous System (calm and relaxed) response and the benefit of grounding through the Tactile, Proprioceptive and Vestibular input. My firm grasp on the fans for the sudden downward flick fed my Spirit each time. Creativity flowed for my choice of the rhythmic and auditory patterns. This afforded the listening ears of the other dancers and me, mini neuro-taps to our Nervous Systems. We yelled, laughed, smiled and connected with the unexpected usage and frivolity of the two fans. I was so happy during a post-video production. Upon viewing and reliving the feedback of the multi-sensory input, I was bemused and amused by the titillation to my visual cortex. My PNS response was organic. The joyful lyrics & vocal stylings by Blossom Dearie, Swing dance tempo and November's unusually warm air added to the elation.

The transition of Summer into Fall/Winter requires my intentional navigation to eschew the adverse imprint of Seasonal Affective Disorder & the social-emotional constraints of Covid-19 on my physical, emotional, mental and Spiritual well-being. 

Aha—I will now employ a major wellness technique & coping strategy i.e., a daily regimen of Weighted Dance Hooping to various rhythms & musical genres!

Just Sayin’…