The aim of Dances with Life is to facilitate the creation of Connections between those who may otherwise be on their own, creating communities in which everyone feels that they belong and can reach out to when feeling lonely and isolated.
We may survive alone, but we don't thrive alone.
There is a saying that: "If you wish to go fast, go alone. If you wish to go far, go together." Life is not a race - who wants to get to the finish quickly? So, life is best done as a team event as part of a community.
Isolation cuts life expectancy by 50%
Whilst there may be many activities that are available for people to attend, so often they focus on the activity rather than providing time and facilities around it for conversation and connection. For those living on their own, it is this social side which is most important, yet so difficult to find. At Dances for Life we aim to encourage and promote activities that fully include time and facilities for gaining that social connection.
Please note that this site is in draft mode and still very much a work in progress
The number of people on this planet is growing at a rapid rate, and, along with it, in modern society, an increasing feeling of loneliness and social isolation. This has been exacerbated by the rise of “social media” which is anything but social, only widening the distance between people as it fosters feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem.
An intrinsic part of being human is the need to belong to and be accepted by a community - to be seen, to be recognised for who we are and to be understood. Whilst we may be able to survive alone, we do not thrive alone - it is through our relationship with others that gives meaning to our life. This concept is encapsualted in the Zulu word “Ubuntu” that means: “I am because of you”.
Western culture promotes competition and it starts in the early years in the education system, yet it is that unnecessary and pointless competition that separates us. We actually thrive and are more productive and creative when we collaborate, work and dance together. This is particularly seen in indigenous communities whose more enlightened cultures understand the dance of life.
Those that have suffered loss are most likely to feel alone and isolated. In addition to that can come a feeling of helplessness as to how to connect with other people with whom they share a similar set of values – let alone develop a meaningful relationship with.
On dances with life are listed activities where people can not only come together to engage in a shared activity but also provide the facilities, space and time to socialise and come together as a community.
We aim to list activities and venues where that all important aspect of social interaction is an integral part of the experience offered.
Connection is not just about connecting with other people it may also be about connecting or reconnecting with...
- our Self
- our Body
- our Mind
- our Spirit
- our Emotions
- our Sensuality
- our Inner Strength and Power
- other People
- Life
- Nature
- just Being
Connecting through shared sensory and energetic experiences such as:
Ideally focusing on all aspects of our senses - Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic and Interoceptive.
The most important part though is the social interaction around those activities. Making new connections and new friends all centred around the common interest of the activity that drew them together.
"The temple bell stops,
but the sound keeps coming out of the flowers"
Basho (Zen poet)