The Fusion of Fabric, Color and 7th Chakra (Violet)

 

The Fusion of Fabric, Color and 7th Chakra (Violet)

Denise E Williams/Subtle Woman

Medicine Woman in the Cherokee Tradition

Occupational Therapist/Wellness Counselor

Healing Touch Certified Practitioner &

Psychic/Intuitive Empath & Medium

12.22.2021

The 7^th Chakra is located at the top of the head—the Crown Chakra. It represents the states of Higher Consciousness, Sovereignty, Wisdom and Divine Connection.  Purple/Violet is the color of Spirituality, Supernatural Experience, Royalty and Imagination.

Opening the Hoop scene with the hand-cupped clap evokes memories of dancing 1940’s Jazz with Julian Swain, Najwa Soyini and Mickey Davidson, as a teenager and young adult.  The precision of sound and rhythm carves out a smile from remembering the intensity of instruction in rehearsals and for pending performances.  Each of my instructors impressed the importance of rhythm, tempo, beat and musicality.

Dianne Reeves’ strong vocals uplift my mood and moves within the encircling Hoop.  And yes, indeed, Today Will Be a Good Day, especially, if you make it so!

Kick-Ball-Changes transition into sustained Crossovers with one-foot stance.  I love those unexpected moments of gravity-challenging Hoop feats in a flash, but time seems to dangle in the execution. [Hoop, don’t fail me now].

The Honky Tonk and Blues’ influences on this Hoop choreo is appreciated.  There is a funky toe-tapping and head-nodding backbeat that ushers me into the next dance sequence.  Julian taught me the multi-step sequence of Step-Slide, Step-Step-Slide, Step-Step-Kick-Kick-1-2-3-4, etc.  Being able to fit that complexity into the music and Hoop rotation really gave me a surge of Energy.

In my 30’s, I danced Senegalese rhythms by a drummer, Twakhu (now deceased and sorely missed). I included his arm pattern i.e. And-1, And-2, And-3 And-4, as a movement flourish to the music.  [While I’m at it, let me add a bit of Steve Condos’ Tap drill—Thank you, Bril Barrett, Director at MADD Rhythms, Inc].

Ending the Hoop piece with a sincere self-effacing bow to those who watched my rhythmic intention, I say, “Thank you.”

 

The Fusion of Fabric, Color and 6th Chakra (Indigo)

 

The Fusion of Fabric, Color and 6th Chakra (Indigo)

Denise E Williams/Subtle Woman

Occupational Therapist/Wellness Counselor

Healing Touch Certified Practitioner &

Psychic/Intuitive Empath & Medium

12.15.2021

The 6^th Chakra—the 3^rd Eye (center of the Brow Chakra) is governed by the color, Indigo. The deep bluish purple sheds light on the characteristics of the 6^th Chakra i.e., intuition, self-awareness, dreams, clarity and visualization. Being personally attuned to the sensitivities of the 6^th chakra has been a blessing and a challenge for me.  The stories and awakenings have been many.

Dancing and miming to Lou Rawls’ “In the Evening, When the Sun Goes Down,” helps me to tap into my intuitive center, as a guide for the gesticulations and interpretation of Mr. Rawls’ lyrics. The Foot Swipes, Fall -Off-the Logs, Fishtails, Susie Q’s and Jazz Turns mimic the smoothness of his velvety Baritone stylings.

The transitioning of Solo Jazz/Blues Dancing into Hoop Dance Stylings requires graded control and subtle lateral movements. It allows me to slowly infuse previous dance steps into a revolving, on-waist Hooping pattern, including on/off-beat and syncopated rhythms.  All-in-all, my mood is buoyed by the Jazz/Blues-inspired movements.  The polyrhythms of Afrobeat, Swing, Lindy, Balboa and Tap are supportive of my improvisations. It is the Autonomic Nervous (physiological regulation) and Reticular Activating Systems (awake, alert & engaged) functioning at their best, with their cohorts, Tactile-Vestibular and Proprioceptive Systems (sense of touch, movement and joint awareness).

Endorphins are at work!

The Fusion of Fabric, Color and 5th Chakra (Blue)

 

The Fusion of Fabric, Color and 5th Chakra (Blue)

Denise E Williams/Subtle Woman

Occupational Therapist/Wellness Counselor

Healing Touch Certified Practitioner &

Psychic/Intuitive Empath & Medium

12.8.2021

 

Blue is the Color of the 5^th Chakra and its representation of expression, listening to others, communication, creativity and respect of others.

This video entails many elements of the 5^th Chakra: blue Venetian tile background and blue costuming, including blue Earlusions, designed by Akosua Bandele, blue performance fan, blue patterned hat, designed by Larry Davis, blue/silver weighted Hoop.

Aretha Franklin’s cover of “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive” hits the spot. Johnny Mercer’s lyrics suggest the need for behavioral considerations:

“You’ve gotta accentuate the positive.

Eliminate the negative,

Latch on to the affirmative,

Don’t mess with Mister In-Between.

You’ve got to spread joy up to the maximum.

Bring gloom, down to the minimum,

Otherwise, pandemonium

Is liable to walk up on the scene.

The light Swing rhythm framed by the Gospel-Mezzo vocal quality lends itself to the inclusion of Kick-Ball-Changes, Shorty George’s, Tacky Ann’s, Jazz Walks and the tempo-punctuating, Foot Fans.

Speaking your Truth can be liberating and fulfilling on your Unfolding Journey. What is your choice of freedom—drawing, painting, knitting, sculpting, writing, sewing, dancing, singing or playing an instrument? Exploring and expressing through your artistic choices can be eye-opening, self-regulating and Healing. Covid-19’s need for Social distancing, isolation & sheltering in place can provide the time and space for the Exploration and Expression of the Self. 

Just sayin'…

The Fusion of Fabric, Color and 4th Chakra (Green)

 

The Fusion of Fabric, Color and 4th Chakra (Green)

Denise E Williams/Subtle Woman

Occupational Therapist/Wellness Counselor

Healing Touch Certified Practitioner &

Psychic/Intuitive Empath & Medium

12.1.2021

Exploring the Energy of the 4^th Chakra leads one to attune to love for others, oneself, compassion, empathy and forgiveness. Consider that unconditional love, compassion and joy emanate from this Energy center. During a meditation, affirmation or mantra, one can focus on the connection to the hearts of others.

My acknowledgement of the 4th chakra guided me to the green garments in my wardrobe. [That’s right, I made a green peacock-feathered hat for Swing dancing]. My Earlusions and earrings by Akosua Bandele lift my Spirits and top

off the costume for this vid.

Nicole Henry’s rendition of “Feeling Good” featuring Pete Wallace, Eric England, David Chiverton and Aaron Lebos creates the syncopated rhythms and percussive beats of a Samba and Bossa Nova. The polyrhythms with call & response exchanges can be felt in the riding rhythm. Weighted Hoop Dancing requires that I coordinate my weight shifts, balance responses and core engagement to sustain the on-waist levitation and sequential Hoop rotations.

The lyrics evoke feelings and images of lightness, joy, the element of Air, scents, water and freedom—beginning of a day, a new dawn. The musical accompaniment creates a sense of relaxation and calmness. [Oh good, another technique to promote a Parasympathetic Response for self-regulation and to rest and digest].

Dancing is my Heartthrob! 💚