XML RSS
What is this?
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Add to Google

Enter your E-mail Address

Enter your First Name (optional)

Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you Dance to Health.

Home
dance blog
dance therapy
mime
music therapy
puppets
sacred dance
folk dance
dances of the nobility
20th century  dance
recording dances
colour therapy
dance-drama therapy
wheelchair dancing
dance companies
inspired & trance dance
history  of DMT
tap dance
flamenco
 movement&development
ballroom dancing
rites of passage
modern dance
resources
liturgical dance
homeschooling
 Shaker Dance
ice dancing
rollerskating
maypole dances
dances of peace
eurhythmics
dance workouts 1
dance workouts 2
dance & mental health
obesity & dance
kids dance meditation
free educ resources
photos
cheerleading
middle eastern dance
dance Bali
 dance classes
visual impairment
dance 4 the deaf blind
dance costume
paintings of dancers
choosing toys
children drum
Obese Dancers
exercise & disability
The Feldenkrais method
Free Book Extracts

Liturgical Dance




Affiliate of the "Living Waters Christian Churches"


IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BOOKS ON SACRED DANCE CLICK HERE


Liturgical dance is being increasingly re-introduced into services of Christian worship. Behind the choreography is the belief that the dance must be a heartfelt expression of faith and prayer. It is a physical expression of worship.Young people especially need to see a connection between body, movement and spirit. The aim is not to dazzle audiences but to deepen their religious experience,to make dance a prayer. However, the dance must not become such a personal expression that it means nothing in particular to the rest of the congregation.

Liturgical dance can include folk dance modern dance, jazz, interpretive dance, spontaneous dance, and circle dance to name a few. There are many starting points for the choreography . For example a song which has "danceability" and allows the word to be interpreted as movement. The dancers could also move to the music and see what transpires. Facial expression is important. Sign language can be used as a basis to create dance moves. Some Christian church groups have been inspired to create dance by the spiritual exercises of St.Ignatius Loyola.

The dance can express many aspects of worship. Praise where the dancers are offering thanksgiving. Worship when intimacy between the performers would be expressed through reverent, yielding movements.There are celebratory dances and those expressing the fight against evil which would be forceful, bold and full of confidence. Expressing suffering and trouble would suggest movements conveying reaching out to God for help, guidance, direction and relief.

Simplicity and humility are characteristics which are emphasized. Liturgical choreographers have to carefully integrate their choreography into rites that have been established for generations. All works have to be created with the peculiarities of each place of worships architecture. Sometimes obstacles such as stairs have to be taken into account. Sometimes the altar is in the middle of the dancing space and must be written into the choreography.

Dance might accompany the entrance of the clergy and choir into the church, might replace the sermon, serve as a meditation or accompany an ancient prayer.

Christian womens groups are at the forefront of introducing liturgical dance. Interpreting scripture through movement can in fact be done by anyone, anywhere. Neither physical ability or experience with dance are required. Dancers need to work together for a significant period of time before dancing in the actual service. This develops rapport between dancers in both faith and movement. If there are great differences in technical ability then the choreography must be levelled at the least experienced to preserve integrity of movement and its meaning.

Some groups only dance for their own congregations while others tour to other places of worship.

There are congregations who are involving the youth in dance, fitness and nutrition education.I have found a site Involving Children in Dance which describes their role in the Ministry. Christian based dance schools emphasize character development, self-discipline, self-control and self-esteem. The students are taught in a positive atmosphere with strong dance technique. Some dance ensembles have womens groups, young adults and children's groups. Many videos, articles and books exist with instructional material for liturgical dance.

What liturgical dancers wear is not a costume. It is a garment of praise, symbolic and meaningful in design, colors and fabrics. Modesty is the key. A lot of advice is offered on the type of undergarments, the depth of necklines and the appropriate length of dresses and skirts.

The International Christian Dance Fellowship is an ecumenical fellowship that links individuals and organizations involved in dance and movement ministries around the world.


HELP YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD THROUGH IMPROVISATIONAL DANCE - is an instantly downloadable e-book written by an experienced Dance Movement Therapist. She aims to encourage the parents of Children with Special Needs to act as Dance Movement Therapists to their children.

To read FREE EXTRACTS of "Dance to Health - Help Your Special Needs Child Through Inspirational Dance"CLICK HERE





Browse the latest in Christian Apparel at Family Christian Stores

Browse the latest in Kids products at FamilyChristian Stores

Browse New Christian Films From FoxFaith - New Titles Every Month!

Browse the latest new releases in Christian Music at Family Christian Stores

Have you Experiences of Liturgical Dance?

What have been your failures and your successes?
What sort of costumes and choreography have worked for you?
Please do share to encourage others to enrich their worship through liturgical dance!

Enter Your Title

Tell Us Your Story! [ ? ]

Upload A Picture (optional) [ ? ]

Add Picture Caption (optional) 

Author Information (optional)

To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.

Your Name

(first or full name)

Your Location

(ex. City, State, Country)

Submit Your Contribution

Check box to agree to these submission guidelines.


(You can preview and edit on the next page)

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Ms Aretha Hanslo  Not rated yet
When I was young and in primary school, I did ballet. Then when I finished school I stopped because I didn't find this too interesting anymore. Then, as ...

Commanded Dance Ministery  Not rated yet
In 1996 I attended my very first dance workshop, and experienced a new dimension of worship that I had never seen or even heard of.

I had a very bad ...