Like me, you may partake in boogieing down to a great tune while making dinner with family or getting ready for a night out. I started frequenting dance clubs with my friends as a teen, for self-expression and social interaction (aka to meet boys). Although I've always known dance holds ancient origins in rituals and in spirituality dating back millennia, I never really considered dance itself as a spiritual practice, let alone one capable of inducing lasting transformation.
A couple of years ago, I met Magali Clazon (or Maga), the driving force behind Ocean Dance in San Francisco, CA, when a friend introduced us and later invited me to attend one of her sessions. I was hesitant to accept. To be completely honest, her vibe led me to initially stereotype her as the quintessential enlightenment festival enthusiast: she embodied the look, the walk, the talk, and indeed, the dance. One might be tempted to judge some such individuals as evading the challenges of 'the real world' or to dismiss their perpetual positivity as naive, superficial, or as a sign they've never faced true adversity.
I’m delighted to report that my first impression of Maga was far from the truth. She’s genuine and transparent. Her emotional sensitivity is exactly what allows her to live in accordance with her values and offer her gift every day of her life. Her authentic esteem began to blossom as she made different choices when confronting recurring struggles, even when those choices were uncomfortable or painful.
Each of us, I believe, enters life with unique overarching challenges, as distinctive as our fingerprints. Sometimes, the difficulty is like a loop, replaying in various areas of our lives with different characters. Other times, it's a profound challenge or setback that lasts the entire lifetime, or a big portion of it. Often, it's a mix. Once we commit to overcoming our challenge, we gain wisdom from the experience. The result is freedom to move on to the next great lesson, now equipped with an expanded set of strengths.
Maga has spent her fair share of time in 'the real world,' holding a high-flying corporate role at a successful multinational corporation—a position most would find impressive and desirable. Stemming from an adverse childhood scenario, she learned to remain silent, regardless of what she witnessed or endured. This upbringing brought with it deep pain and kept re-creating itself, despite any external life changes she pursued. Her decision to leave her corporate job and embark on a complete internal overhaul shifted her from being a victim to becoming a bearer of wisdom, now available for all of creation to benefit from. I thank her for that. In fact, every time I witness someone overcoming their challenges, it not only inspires me to tackle my own but also instills in me a renewed sense of pride and responsibility, reinforcing my valuable contribution to the collective.
The Transformative Power of Dance
For over a decade, I’ve engaged in practices that brought awareness to my thoughts and emotions—the stories we tell ourselves, our perceptions of events, and our automatic emotional reactions. Although I knew emotions are stored in the body, I focused on my emotions but less so on my body—and what it consistently tries to communicate. Many understand that changing the mind affects the body; however, it’s equally true that changing the body influences the mind. Dance can be the key that unlocks bodily wisdom, serving as an excellent means to balance the masculine energy provided by the structured nature of meditation with the feminine energy conveyed through the fluidity of dance. We all embody a blend of both energies.
Here's my invitation: Dive deep into dance. Not just a kitchen boogie, but a deep 30-60 minute journey inward, with eyes closed if you dare. If you can do it in nature, even better. Here's what you might discover:
- Energy Release: Freeing what's stuck within.
- Emotional Alchemy: Changing your emotional state.
- Clarity and Insight: Gaining unexpected wisdom.
- Sensory Expansion: Perceiving beyond the usual senses.
- Physical Health: An engaging workout.
Lastly, you may gain a renewed sense of gratitude for your body—your unique vessel in this lifetime.
Last weekend, under Maga’s guidance, we danced as the sun set over the Pacific at Santa Monica Beach. Men, women, young, old(er)—we all moved together, creating a moment of communal transformation.
If this resonates with you and you're interested in bringing a similar event to your community, let us know! Alternatively, if you prefer a more private, guided session that you can stream on demand or even download, stay tuned for what INEMERGENCE and Maga are collaborating on.
To learn more about Maga’s work in ontological coaching, transformative retreats, and her unique beach dance sessions in San Francisco, visit her website.
We know we are part of something amazing and mysterious. We believe the point is to dance with the divine, not struggle to define it.
Paula
Founder, INEMERGENCE