"Entering, Enjoying & Exiting the Swing Dance"

"Entering, Enjoying & Exiting the Swing Dance" 

Denise E Williams/Subtle Woman

Occupational Therapist/Wellness Counselor,

Healing Touch Certified Practitioner &

Psychic/Intuitive Empath & Medium 

February 8, 2023

It is exciting to participate in Balboa, Lindy and Swing Dance events.  The elements of couple or solo dancing evoke anticipation, joy, athleticism & social engagement.  Partner dancing to lively upbeat music creates a community of joyous participation, improvisation and exploration.  

UChicago/Java Jive, Epiphany Center for the Arts, The Drake Hotel and Summerdance are my favorites. Each venue offers an opportunity to dance with experienced, familiar, novel and novice dancers.  The vibe of the dance's beginning varies from curiosity to excitement.  How the dance begins may give you some idea of the Lead/Follow connection.  Smoothness, clarity, playfulness and musicality can heighten the animation and ease of the dance. 

Pairing each dancer's skillset & understanding of the dance shape creates an energetic connection. The speed and intricacy of certain dance steps e.g., Texas Tommy, Sliding Door, Tandem Charleston, Crossovers, etc. can promote a high-spirited response. The flow of the dance sequence makes way for more merriment and well-being.  [Sadness, have a seat.]

Live or recorded music has familiar endings which aids the rhythmic closure of the dance and mood of the couple. Familiarizing oneself with the typical endings of various Jazz standards allow for embellished and familiar dance closures, as well. Often, the post-dance exchange includes high fives, hugs or rushed acknowledgements of appreciation of the dance.

An evening of Swing Dance can prove to be a thrilling adventure!  See you on the Dance Floor!

"The Spirit of an Empty Chair"

 "The Spirit of an Empty Chair"

Denise E Williams/Subtle Woman

Occupational Therapist/Wellness Counselor,

Healing Touch Certified Practitioner &

Psychic/Intuitive Empath & Medium 

December 28, 2022 

The sight of two empty chairs triggered a gentle curiosity and thought today.  Intuitively, I imagined what would be the symbiotic relationship, emptiness, stability and/or possibility of their message.  I envisioned two people seated next to each other with visible discomfort.  Furrowed brows, upper body tension and avoidant eye patterns were evident.  I sensed and interpreted, Shamanically & Energetically, the history of their relationship and communication issues.

Concomitantly, I felt the symbolic usage, positioning and likelihood of their presence: 

• The parallel outward-facing chairs indicate an avoidant pattern or shunning, a possible tolerance for another's unseen presence or serves as an abutment to one's close proximity.  Out of sight--out of mind?  An ideal consideration is that you have each other's back--to be emotionally supportive.
• The left outward-turned chair indicates the Emotional processing of the perceived inhabitant.  Turning away may indicate an avoidance to connect, misunderstanding, fear or anger.  What is the source of that facing?  
• Vis-a-vis i.e facing each other indicates a possible connection or opposition to another.  What could it be to face one's challenges and look it squarely in the eye?  How daunting would you consider an opportunity to Soulspeak i.e., confer Spiritually & Energetically with another from a neutral and envisioned position?
• The en face and parallel position suggests and allows for a peaceful joining and alignment with another.  Has one considered a Spiritual mediation or meditation to allay fears, anger or oppositional posturing?

If these chairs could talk, what would they say? How would they Guide, Reframe, Shape or Protect you in your subtle processing?  How would they represent your Intentions, Affirmations and Truth?  Visualize and Expect the Physical, Emotional, Mental & Spiritual benefits of this experience.

"Synchronicities Since Six"

"Synchronicities Since Six"

Denise E Williams/Subtle Woman

Occupational Therapist/Wellness Counselor,

Healing Touch Certified Practitioner &

Psychic/Intuitive Empath & Medium 

December 23, 2022

 

So, this happened today, Russell Talbert showed up & out at LA Fitness during Endya's Zumba class!  We have known each other since we were six years old at Corpus Christi Catholic Grade School!  I was elated and over-the-top with Joy when he, not only, joined us in class, but improvised a fantastic Latin-inspired Salsa, Merengue and Tango Lead for me to course through with abject glee!!! As I swirled in linear and circular patterns, my Spirit was imbued with friendship, compassion and amazement!!!

I had to tamp down my excitement, because I needed to intuit and avoid overriding the transitional steps, turns & rhythmic prompts. Engaging and dancing with Russell was an excursion in grace and choreographic unfolding!!! She Goes, He Goes, She Goes is a smooth variation of social partner in Salsa and Swing dancing.  I was so comfortable and familiar in the movements; peaceful thoughts flooded my mind.

Dancing in circuitous patterns promote fanciful neurological responses!  One can expect an endorphin release, stimulated Reticular Activating System and a bonus from the Parasympathetic Nervous System (calming and relaxation).  And this is why I LOVE to DANCE!!!

Find opportunities to Move your Body to Music and Enjoy the Merriment Daily!

"The Symbolism of 'The Crossover' in My Life"

"The Symbolism of 'The Crossover' in My Life" 

Denise E Williams/Subtle Woman

Occupational Therapist/Wellness Counselor,

Healing Touch Certified Practitioner &

Psychic/Intuitive Empath & Medium 

December 18, 2022

In my life, occupations & roles, I embrace symbolism, signs and synchronicities.  So, I resumed roller skating in the past few months.  The challenges that I faced were ill-fitting skates and balance issues which adversely affected my previous skillset for skating.  Yikes, what a mess! 

I taught myself how to skate at eleven years old through observation, imitation and practice.  The 60's offered many opportunities, skating lessons were not one of them.  Haha! Needless to say, the evolution of time now affords me the opportunity to take lessons.  So, off I went to @OCPrays (Olympia) at the local Park District Fieldhouse. For weeks, she encouraged others and me to embark on a safe Skate Journey to House and Afrobeat music!  

Yesterday, I laced up my new Combat Boot Skates with fiberglass frames and Riva
Wheels, took several deep breaths and shapeshifted into my younger courageous self and lifted my right foot over my left!  I crossed over and sustained my balance, as I coursed around the implied oval on the fieldhouse floor for several rotations.

The Shamanic-Energetic implication of Crossing Over from right (intellectual processing/doing/analytical/male/yang) to left (emotional processing/feeling/intuition/female/yin) indicates the balance between the two sides. Stretching the symbolism further suggests the death of my fear, thereby embracing a new experience.  The Crossover in Balboa Dance allows the two dancers to oppose each other within the frame of the dance.  This styling is done in a smooth fashion and can promote a playful exchange between the couple.  The consideration of a playful energetic exchange tamped down my serious consternation and guarded posturing as I approached the turn.

Whatever the intention, I did it.  Cannot wait until next week!!!

"Just You, Just Me"

"Just You, Just Me"

Denise E Williams/Subtle Woman

Occupational Therapist/Wellness Counselor,

Healing Touch Certified Practitioner &

Psychic/Intuitive Empath & Medium 

August 27, 2022

So, I had an intuitive nudge to cover this song, "Just You, Just Me," three times in my Hoop Dance event.  In Shamanism, the third repetition Empowers the Insight of a spoken Intention. I felt a need to address my 4th Chakra, Heart Chakra.  It is in the Center of the seven Chakras---3 above and 3 below.  This is the area where the Physical and the Spiritual meet. Green is the color of this Chakra.

I knew that I was being guided to address past hurts, griefwork and forgiveness.  I appropriately donned various green garments with hats (mine, Larry Davis & the late Jean Woodson, Milliners--left to right); green Hoop (Canyon Hoops; re-taped by me); jazz shoes/boots; Amazon & Hands 2 Hearts tops and green Earlusions (Akosua Bandele, Artisan).  I selected the Path in the Park for my early morning Sojourn.  It proved to be a safe and quiet choice for this Spiritual Exploration.  

There is a clear indication that it is time (way past time) to let go of old hurts and disappointments.  Books on Enlightenment, Mindfulness and Awareness address the Truths of Letting Go of Negativity and Receiving Affirming Experiences.

I chose three different artists, Katharine Whalen, Diana Krall and Nat King Cole.  Each musician put their own Musicality and Spin on it.  Ms. Whalen had a Swing rhythm; Ms. Krall had an upbeat tempo and Mr. Cole Swings it, as well, but with a different Vibe.  None-the-less, I Felt the Vibes and Intuitively Created the Groove and Dance Stylings to Fuse with them.  All three made me very HaAapPy!!! 

My distinct and unique Voice in Hoop-Dance Stylings led me to quick polyrhythms, syncopation, up tempo beats and vocals.  I chose to confer, as a mime, dancer and vocalist, with the lyricist and singer of my song selections.  Sometimes, I bantered, berated or flirted with the unseen person(s).  I allowed the words and music to guide me in my improvisational choreography.  Even in this, I surprised myself.

Certainly, this Music/Hoop/Dance Synergy and Communication will evolve and reveal the teachings of the shared Energy, Intention and Shamanic Gifting.  

In Stillness, I await...