A little while ago, I signed on to be a contributing blogger for the online website of Vertical Art & Fitness. I’m currently writing for their print magazine too that will be in Barnes and Noble! Right now though, you can check out a slightly updated version of “Adjusting for Decency” on Vertical Art and Fitness! YAY!
I was asked by a Siren friend of mine to write a paragraph regarding “Embracing Sensuality through Movement.” This is what ended up happening as a mused on the thought.
We could attribute the repression of feminine sensuality and sexual expression to a variety of causes. It could be the domination of a patriarchal society, religion, the need for power & control or sheer ignorance. Whatever the inference may be, a vast majority of women live trapped in their bodies unable to literally move in freedom. Many are afraid of being outcast and labeled as tramps, harlots and whores for exploring an innate gift that is part of their personhood. Due to this repression, you find women reserving themselves and attempting to be smaller, quieter and “well behaved” in every possible way at the expense of their natural authenticity.
If living wholly as a human being at our highest potential is important, such repression cannot continue. To be a FULL human being requires embracing our sensuality and sexuality in addition to everything else that makes us who we are. There are many ways to do this. Morality, cultural norms, and personal preferences are but some of the factors that will influence how a woman explores this side of herself. One way that I have found that allows for unabashedly expression that has led to my personal freedom is through movement. What better way to accept and explore our physicality than to actually engage our bodies in movement, such as dance. More specifically, sensual & erotic dance.
This frightens some people. It causes alarm, unease and fear in others. It is dangerous for a woman to know herself completely including her sensual side. It’s dangerous to those wishing to control because once a women knows her complete capabilities, repression is all but annihilated and there is no stopping her.
That is what I’ve discovered through movement. I could have gone to a lecture on sexuality. I could have read a report or found a good book. Somehow, I finally understood the power of my sensuality by taking the time to explore movement. Movement gave me freedom and allowed for my bravery and courage to shine through. I know that I’m powerful but I’ve been subtly taught to hide that. I know that I am capable of anything but there’s a cultural expectation for me to belittle myself as a way to appear gracious, kind and submissive. By exploring my abilities in movement, not only have I rediscovered my power, I’ve now been able to validate and live in it. I will not be quiet. I can not. Every part of my being is ok. Every part is divine, innate, and absolutely wonderful even my sensuality which may frighten people because it holds so much power.
Questions that I want to further exlpore.
1. What is the power that my sensuality/sexuality actually has?
2. What are the dangerous, to the ruling & controlling class, for a person to completely know themselves and live in that power?
3. Why is stifling sexuality such a big fucking deal?
4. Why is movement so important?
5. What are ways to embrace sensuality through movement?
6. What are ways to embrace sexuality through movement?
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