Why Dance is Healing by Shelby Avann

As a sexy dance instructor (pole dance, heels dance, chair dance) I have seen women in my classes go from the new girl who never spoke to me because she was too shy, to a woman who signed up for 7+ performances all in less than 6 months.

When we allow ourselves to dive into the world of sensuality, our feminine energy comes alive. There is something in the shared space of women learning together, moving together, cheering one another on and shining that awakens that Goddess energy.

Stepping into a dance class, especially a sexy one can be extremely intimidating. But I can assure you that the women I surround myself with and that come to my classes are some of the most kindhearted and magnetic humans you will find.

Through dance there are so many things that can be achieved. When I choreograph a routine, my aim is for the women to feel empowered. And that can look like many different things. Empowerment can look strong and confident. It can also be soft and falling apart. Dance is emotional. It is the body speaking when words are no longer enough. It is for the moments when your emotions feel so big that movement is the only way to release them.

And what it is beautiful about this is that movement is a way that our body regulates itself.

So let’s talk about some science and how dance regulates and also heals.

If we think of an antelope being preyed upon by a cheetah, it will first run (flight). If the antelope gets caught it may go into freeze. Basically the body doesn’t think that it will survive the event that is happening so the animal goes limp and dissociates from its body. But if for whatever reason the cheetah loses grip on the antelope and the antelope is able to run away to safety what will happen next is that, in the run the adrenaline that was pumping in the body will be used up with a successful flee. The antelope will shake its body off and then rejoin its community where it will then be able to co-regulate and come back into a felt sense of safety.

As humans, we get stuck in freeze a lot and then never complete the cycle of movement. What this means is that the flee energy never gets released and therefore stays in our body and can turn into something like anxiety. So when we finally move our bodies through something like dance that can elicit feelings, we open up this pathway for our nervous system to finally release some of the stuff it has been holding onto. You get present in your body, you allow the emotion to move through you and you finally get to be witnessed or held in community (co-regulation).

Now from a coaching standpoint (I am also an empowerment and intimacy coach for women) everyone has their negative thoughts and patterns. When I choreograph routines I am very mindful of the music I am choosing and whether it goes with how I want to make the ladies feel. Does it go with what I want them to embody ? How can I help negate some of the negative mindchatter that the women have? Words, movement, feelings and intention are very powerful. Subconsciously, our brain will take on the lyrics. We play a song on repeat in a choreo class no less than 20 times and that’s probably on the low side. We build on that choreo over 4 weeks. I create movement that matches the lyrics. This means that our body is now getting a double hit of the message of empowerment belief. Through the brain and through the body. Then the girls go home and blast the song some more. Dance in their car to the routine. Maybe they practice it outside of class time. Can you see how much this can positively inundate your life ?

Here’s the thing. If you have been struggling with your body, with confidence, with trusting yourself, things like positive thinking and affirmations aren’t going to fix anything. They have their place but you have to speak to the subconscious parts of your mind. You have to speak to your nervous system and any emotional wounding that is being held in the body. A good, intentional dance teacher can really help with that healing.

Does this make you want to give dance a try ?

I am currently taking registrations for a 4 week choreographed heels dance class in both Georgina and Toronto for May. If this is something that you are interested in feel free to reach out to me on my social platforms or find out more on my website. You don't need heels for the dance, they just add an extra sexy factor.

Women's Empowerment and Intimacy Coach

Shelby helps women build back their trust in themselves and reclaim their sensual power. She has a certification in Integrated Attachment Theory, is experienced with understanding the nervous system, and is a Reiki Master. She brings a grounded understanding of relationships, nervous system regulation, and emotional safety into her work.

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