body: movement for healing with becky hicks
Our bodies are one of the most incredible gifts we have. Giving us the ability to move, to communicate and to navigate this mind blowing planet. They are sometimes something we can take for granted but when you step back, not only are they extraordinary but they rely on a delicate and deeply complex ecosystem. Movement can sometimes be underestimated as a form of healing but working with it can help to form a powerful and everlasting tool for self discovery.
Becky Hicks uses movement for therapy. A trained professional dancer she has travelled across the world performing with the likes of Florence & The Machine, Rihanna and Coldplay. She is passionate about the healing effects that dance has on the body, sharing how it is used in different cultures for expression, in ceremony, story-telling, community and prayer. Integrating the different ways we can move our body alongside diverse themes and practices to explore our human relationship with life around, and within us.
Over the last few months the world and our day to day lives have changed dramatically. How do you believe that movement can help us?
We are all being called to reassess how we live. Beliefs being questioned, lifestyles changed and a humbling of heart being faced with the realities of what has arisen in this time. This undoubtedly has an impact on our body, since it is the vessel that carries us and information deep in our cellular structure. It is being stirred, because the “normal” is being questioned and challenged. A deeper inquiry into the self and the world at large is being called upon. This has meant that uncomfortable feelings have emerged, which I believe is a good thing for the majority. To inspire a shift away from the current status quo which has clearly not been sustainable for the future of the planet and humanity. For me, movement is the key to moving these uncomfortable feelings through us. Moving the body helps to release stagnant energy which enables us to process the shift in the outer world with more equanimity. It increases our capacity to tune into instinct; to listen to, and act upon the intuitive wisdom of the body which is so important for us when we are navigating unchartered territory. We are paving new ways, and movement, dance, yoga and meditation is vital for us to keep grounded, clear and connected to the deepest parts of us, to the earth. It is vital for our mental health and ease of anxiety, for our physical health and wellbeing.
You are qualified in the Non-Linear Movement method, what is it and how can it be used as a form of therapy?
The Non-Linear Movement method is a powerful somatic method developed by Michaela Boehm which can be and has been used as a form of therapy. It smooths out the nervous system; The NLM Method helps to identify and unwind the patterns of contraction that the demands of modern life have on the body and through gentle, non-force movements it relieves the bodily tension and underlying mental loops created by an overly rational mind. The method helps to process and identify emotions, which is an important factor with therapeutic work. It releases trauma patterns into flow. One of the results of traumatic experience (fresh and old alike) is “freeze”, a state in which body, mind and emotions are stuck in a state of numbness. Often “freeze” is falsely perceived as a feeling of “calm or nothing”, which results in an inability to release the experience and ease the bodily patterns. The NLM facilitates a continued movement, which gently opens the freeze pattern and allows for recognition and release of the underlying bodily and emotional patterns. It also creates high bodily responsiveness. NLMM educates the body how to release and process contractions, stress and emotional tension. The body becomes highly attuned to all sensations and can note, react or release fluidly and without having to attend to traumatic or suppressed backlog.
How can dance be used to heal?
There is a quote by Gabrielle Roth that comes to mind when asked this question;
“In many shamanic societies, if you came to a medicine person complaining of being disheartened, dispirited, or depressed, they would ask one of four questions: "When did you stop dancing? When did you stop singing? When did you stop being enchanted by stories? When did you stop being comforted by the sweet territory of silence?”
Stress and anxiety have been proven to be the primary cause of a lot of illnesses within the physical body, dance helps to relieve this. Scientific research has proven that with illnesses such as Parkinson’s, MS or Alzheimer’s, creative movement and dance stimulate new neural pathways in the brain and can help to alleviate depression. I have been teaching people with chronic physical disabilities and witnessed first-hand the positive healing impact that both dance and community have.
In traditional Western medicine, our “soul”, our true self is regarded as a separate reality, however, it is, as the ancient wisdom illustrates within the flesh and bones and blood of us. It is within the stories of our DNA and subconscious mind. Martha Graham, one of the most influential and innovative dancers describes “Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body.” When we dance, it is an expression of soul, which helps to heal by connecting us to the deepest parts of us. If we are disconnected from our body, our mind dominates, increasing stress and dis-ease. When we dance, we release endorphins which is a hormone that makes you feel good, which helps to heal. When we dance, we release stagnant energy and unblock parts of us that we previously did not listen to. We can uncover hidden parts of us that want to be heard. We increase sensitivity and playfulness; we connect the rhythm and beat of the earth to our own heartbeat (even if we are not aware of it.) That is life, and dance is a way to connect to others through an unspoken language. Dance is used in ceremony, to evoke spirit in prayer, it is used for story-telling and community, all of which on varying levels are extremely healing. The Western and so common phrase I hear of “I cant dance” or “I am not a dancer” needs to vanish, and our society needs to adopt the ancient beliefs that everyone can dance. I’m not talking about the Royal Ballet and doing fifty two pirouettes, I’m talking about moving the body in a rhythmical way, whatever rhythm that is for you.
What part does music play in that process?
For me, music is everything together with dance, whether it is a simple drumbeat or voice, or a whole orchestra or production. When I am creating my classes, the music is so vital, in fact I would go as far to say the symbiosis of this relationship (music and dance) is one of the most important things in my life. They support one another, music inspires a feeling in the body, dance helps to encourage movement of that feeling through the body emphasised with guidance and intention. Music can ignite passion and a beat can ignite energy. A soft melody can trigger emotion and movement encourages that energy in motion to move. Intense or “dark” music can help to draw up any shadow or darker aspects of the self that dance can help release. Gentle music can help to settle energy and/or inspire. Drums help us connect to the earth and ground us. Lyrical music sparks flow and freedom of expression.
We talk about the mind, body and soul. How do they all connect when we move?
We live in a highly competitive society, where people are generally put under a lot of pressure and stress, driven by demands from work, adverts, friends, family, as a result creating an imbalance in the mind, body and soul. Many people do not prioritise peace and tuning into their internal wisdom or inner compass guidance system. This creates a detachment between the body and soul, with the focus on “mind” or one or the other but less of a symbiosis of all three. Logic dictates and inner feeling is compromised, leading to stress, and anxiety: causes of so many dis-eases in the body. By moving the body, we increase sensory awareness and perception of inner guidance, leading us to make choices that are more closely aligned with our life path, or “soul” path. The physical body is a complex machine that is here to serve the spirit and soul, without the soul or connection to life force, the body is useless – it decays and no longer functions. Keeping our body moving, strengthens our ability to listen to the soul and take action using our mind and body to support the soul’s desires, which is life-force for the body. Thus harmony is realised.
How do you believe that the work you do on the inside, creates your world on the outside?
I’m sure many of you have heard about the “Law of Attraction”, the notion that we attract into our lives what we focus on; in our minds but most importantly, the vibration or feeling that we emanate. I believe that when we are clearer inside of us, if we dance, move, meditate, if we eat healthy foods, and respect our inner worlds, we are shaping and elevating our vibration and the frequency that we are putting out into the world. We are a reflection of what we emanate each moment. If we are constantly negative or harbouring negative energy like anger, guilt or shame, then more likely our outer experience will mirror back less positive experiences. BUT, we are HUMAN and I really don’t believe in just ‘Love and Light’ notions, it is important that we stay true, and allow ourselves to feel our emotions and look at our shadow, in order for them to move through us and accept them. That is why dance is so powerful, it is the quickest way to release stuck emotions and alongside meditation techniques bring awareness or transmute what is present in us.
With many of us at home currently, what is one exercise that people could incorporate into their workout plan?
If I have to pick one, a really really good shake. First focus on separate body parts and then full body. Also put on a favourite song and just dance and move however you feel like moving.
connect with becky and find out more…
visit her website: www.beckyhicks.org
