A N Y people find they don't even remember dancing at all.

However, , when they lie quietly on a mat at the side of the room after the dance, they find they gradually recall incredible scenes witnessed while dancing and hold onto amazing insights. Shamanism teaches t h a t there are several parallel worlds running alongside our material level. I n trance dancing people will usually go t o one of two 'worlds'. Many, find themselves i n the 'upper' world of light, where they

M
1

Finally, his hands move to your forehead and, as the drums seem t o come closer and closer, you gradually start to be spun around i n his hands. A t first the movements are jerky and uncoordinated and you worry about toppling over But soon the circling seems to make sense and suddenly you're dancing on your own, led by the drums, far away into the strange world of shamanism This is trance dance, a vital part of modern shamanism which promises to take you back into your body and release energy, creativity and even healing. Practitioner Leo Rutherford is one of the UK's foremost teachers of shamanism, which is believed to be the oldest spiritual path on Earth going back more than 50,000 years. Many ancient religions believed that dancing, often combined with particular forms of breathing and drumming, could take the dancer i n t o a naturally 'altered state' where i t was possible to gain spiritual insights or bring about physical or emotional healing. Leo is convinced i t is one of the fastest, safest routes to personal growth. 'There are similarities with techniques such as rebirthing,' he says, 'but the breathing techniques of rebirthing can be very painful Trance dancing gives all the benefits without any of the pain.'

HE sound of drums is all around rhythmic, insistent, hypnotic. You're standing with your eyes shut, within a circle of people. A man touches your stomach and tells you to breathe deeply. Then he gently touches your breastbone and you start to pant.

by J a n e Alexander
gain a feeling of being beyond or outside themselves and their usual boundaries. 'They generally find there are no words for the experience; just a wonderful sense of freedom and calm,'says Leo. Or they will journey to the 'lower' world, which will often reveal repressed emotions and blocked energy. 'It's quite common for people to remember things i n their past they had quite forgotten,' says Leo. 'but the beauty of this technique is that, unlike psychotherapy, there are no leading questions.' Sometimes i t happens very quietly; at others the process is more explosively cathartic. ' I felt all my limitations well up to the surface,' says one woman of her dance, ' I experienced a real struggle

i m

r*

inside about letting go. Something inside me wouldn't let go and I felt smothered and choked by it. Before I knew it I was on the floor gasping for breath. Leo came over and said: "Let i t go." I screamed out my rage; my feelings of being boxed in and unable to express myself. Afterwards I felt shaken but exhilarated and with a real sense of liberation.' Sometimes the experiences of trance dancing can be quite delightful. Many people find they meet their 'power animal', a shamanic protector which can offer guidance and help in life. Others find themselves going on incredible fantasy adventures which, despite their bizarre qualities, are often symbolic representations of solutions to real-life problems. However, the very title 'trance' dancing might make some people wary but Leo insists that there is nothing dangerous or unnatural about the process. 'People worry about going into trance but, to be

honest, we all live our lives in a kind of trance,' he laughs. 'When we trance dance we simply go into a different state of being.' To be precise, the brain waves shift into alpha and then theta rhythms akin to deep meditation.

E ALSO quickly settles the question of drugs. 'Although i t is true that many indigenous shamanic cultures used herbs and plants to help induce trance, we certainly dont use them in this country. You don't need them, the drums are quite enough' Above all, Leo is at pains to point out that trance dancing is not about 'proper' dancing. 'You don't need any dancing skill, any sense of rhythm, it's not about what looks good,' he insists, 'so if you're shy about dancing, i t really isn't a problem.' I n fact, tranee dancing can

help boost confidence and selfesteem enormously. Many people claim trance dancing has other positive side-effects some say it has helped them lose weight; others that their skin feels clearer and brighter; some even believe i t has helped cure them of conditions such as arthritis and asthma. Unfortunately, trance dancing is not suitable for everyone and is not advised for anyone with epilepsy, seizures, cardiovascular problems or severe psychotic disorders. I t is not advised i n pregnancy either Trance dancing is a novel experience, unlike anything else you might try i n the field of personal development. I t can be a little scary as you are heading off into an exploration of your subconscious mind, but Leo, his helpers and the N'Goma Kundi Drummers make sure you are safe and secure. Relax and let the dance take you on a wonderful iournev