Who would have ever thought I'd be recommending a song that is sung by Sting and co-written by Sting and his guitarist, Dominic Miller, to use for your dance meditation, but I am. It is Shape of My Heart - included as one of 12 tracks on the audio CD Ten Summoner's Tales.

If you are uplifted by upbeat music this may be for you when you want to feel both energized and inspired.

The lyrics begin with this passage: (Notice the words meditation and dance are included.)

"He deals the cards as a meditation
And those he plays never suspect
He doesn't play for the money he wins
He doesn't play for the respect
He deals the cards to find the answer
The sacred geometry of chance
The hidden law of probable outcome
The numbers lead a dance."

I find it is the combination of lyrics on life and the upbeat music, which has an unknown composer, that sends me into an astral space: beyond ordinary consciousness.

When you find music with or without lyrics that uplift you I recommend using it for a music or dance meditation.

For dance meditation

For a dance meditation do your series of stretches first then put on the upbeat music and let your body move creatively with the flow of sounds. Incorporate turns and different directions, high and low levels, arms stretched out and pulled tightly in, looking up and looking down and all around. Make the dance a complete experience driven along with the pulses of music.

When you are out of breath or the music ends, sink into a sitting meditation right on the floor where you are, or have a cushion handy to sit on. Spend some minutes letting your breath come back to its natural rhythm. Then quietly send thoughts outward for world peace, planetary harmony.

Dance meditation is poetry in motion and when you are done your session you'll find you are invigorated for the rest of the day.

Article by Susan Helene Kramer

For offline reading

Dance Meditation Handbook
For teens and adults, illustrated with photographs and ink drawings, this is a comprehensive handbook of elements to include in dance meditations, with 6 guided lessons and an appendix of musical suggestions; a companion you won't want to be without in your practice or for teaching! 40 page ebook.

***

Meditation for all Kids
Sitting, walking, dance and group circle meditations, along with positive affirmations, verses and benefits of meditation for kids of all ages and abilities in a 100 page book with illustrations.