How did you feel coming into February? I mean I didn’t sleep at all. To me, it felt overwhelming, like a a swirl of glitter and dust around my head. Energized by fast moving ideas, while being shuffled around by matters of Earth. This was a culmination of a few things because externally and internally there have been a lot of shifts. But let’s be honest, if you tune in you will be sensitive to subtle energies around you, and since a youth, I’ve chosen to exercise these energies by dancing. Dance has forever been that girl! Whenever I feel stagnant, angry or stuck, moving my body is the key to moving through it. When words weren’t accessible there was nothing like popping my Fiona Apple CD in and spinning around in my basement. I could be as loud as I wanted, leap, jump and romp around. Sometimes these sessions ended in the most cathartic cry and an effortless smile.

Dance is an ancient spiritual tool. In times of stress and unknowns I look to dance as a therapist. I plug in the feelings, my body sorts them out and the music supports it all. I really like to freestyle to a song that is relevant to my current circumstances. Although, I may not know all the steps, I can always connect myself back to the music then back to my body. For the more adept dancer, it is a moment to practice control or submission. When in a dance something leads, something follows. The something can be a lot of things; music, body, rhythm, a partner. What is leading can change moment to moment. When we’re talking about dance, a performance adds another layer to the process; A witness. But that’s a whole other conversation for another day. Let me focus.

I say all that to repeat what Alice Walker titled her poetry book, Hard times call for furious dancing. Whether in your basement with rage or in the Strip Club collecting rent. We need to dance and we need to witness someone dance to weave through the chaos of life. I hear it said that Uni- Verse means one song. That means even in the silence of the early morning there is a rhythm. Even in the storm of political upheaval there is a rhythm. I don’t know about you but if there is a song playing, my natural instinct is to move. So during these times of chaos and unpredictability I want to invite you to a dance party for 1.

Here are the dance party rules: Allow your body to express what it feels. If a judgement comes up, ignore it. Put on a song that you like to move to and Surrender to it. Be a good witness to yourself, don’t stifle what comes up. Throw some ass or a weird shoulder move, Hell, get on the floor and thrash around. Check in afterwords, if it feels good journal or reflect on what came up for you.

Here’s a few songs that allowed me some freedom of movement this week. I been in a freaky vampire phase since Nosferatu😝so I went for slow, dark, horny and creative vibes. Feel free to check them out or comment any jams you danced to this week.

Abracadabra – Lady Gaga
New song from Lady Gaga. It makes me feel that everything will be alright if we dance and love.

No Way Back – Adonis
Chicago house jam. I feel the lyrics on being too far gone with no way back.

Star – Sylvester
Disco track that makes me feel special. It’s upbeat and positive.

Your Love – Frankie Knuckles
Another dance music classic. It’s synth heavy and sexy, feels like a sweaty sex session.

Come Near Me – Massive Attack
Very slow trip-hop song. It’s smooth, great for sensual movements