For many years, I belonged to a liturgical dance group (that did, at least for a time, include one man!). I didn't love that our presence in worship was treated as a performance, though. Then I led Embodied Prayer sessions, workshops, liturgies where everyone was a participant. It's such an important part of bringing our whole self to God. Thank you for bringing this forward.
Thanks, Shirin. Very cool that you belonged to a liturgical dance group. Yes... I share your discomfort with the performance aspect - as if movement and embodiment belongs to "those folks" and not the rest of the congregation!
I used to be a dancer too and sometimes share your discomfort with liturgical dance as a performance. I don't think that when David danced, he was performing; rather, he was expressing his joy with all his might.
On the other hand, watching others dance can be transformative. There was once a performance by Springs Dance Company (a Christian company) in a cathedral. Shortly after the 20-minute dance piece started, the music failed. The dancers, however, continued. The congregation watched in rapt silence. At the end, many people were deeply touched, and one person committed to faith. Dance is undeniably powerful.
Hi Michelle, and thank you! I agree that watching dance can definitely be transformative. (I much prefer to watch a dance performance than attend a symphony concert.) I suppose I wish that all of us felt free enough to dance our joy as David did....
For many years, I belonged to a liturgical dance group (that did, at least for a time, include one man!). I didn't love that our presence in worship was treated as a performance, though. Then I led Embodied Prayer sessions, workshops, liturgies where everyone was a participant. It's such an important part of bringing our whole self to God. Thank you for bringing this forward.
Thanks, Shirin. Very cool that you belonged to a liturgical dance group. Yes... I share your discomfort with the performance aspect - as if movement and embodiment belongs to "those folks" and not the rest of the congregation!
Exactly! We all need to worship with our whole selves....
Hi Sherin,
I used to be a dancer too and sometimes share your discomfort with liturgical dance as a performance. I don't think that when David danced, he was performing; rather, he was expressing his joy with all his might.
On the other hand, watching others dance can be transformative. There was once a performance by Springs Dance Company (a Christian company) in a cathedral. Shortly after the 20-minute dance piece started, the music failed. The dancers, however, continued. The congregation watched in rapt silence. At the end, many people were deeply touched, and one person committed to faith. Dance is undeniably powerful.
Hi Michelle, and thank you! I agree that watching dance can definitely be transformative. (I much prefer to watch a dance performance than attend a symphony concert.) I suppose I wish that all of us felt free enough to dance our joy as David did....
Cyprian Consiglio noted that "the Christian tradition teaches us what NOT to do with our bodies, rather than what to do with our bodies"
Exactly!