🌿 Joy Is Resistance
I often get DMs from dancers expressing their conflicted feelings about dancing through hard times.
They ask me:
“Is it ok for me to dance joyfully or to share my dance videos online when a family member of mine has passed recently or while there is a lot of really upsetting news on tv?”
I tell them:
There is no one correct way to grieve and that joy can be a form of resistance, too.
Recently, my Persian dance teacher, Geeti Shirazi Mahajan, shared a Rumi poem that reminded me of the interlocking dynamic of sorrow and joy…
Sorrow prepares you for joy.
It violently sweeps everything out of your house, so that new joy can find space to enter.
It shakes the yellow leaves from the bough of your heart, so that fresh, green leaves can grow in their place.
It pulls up the rotten roots, so that new roots hidden beneath have room to grow.
Whatever sorrow shakes from your heart, far better things will take their place.
-Rumi
For our Nowruz offering this year, Nafas Dance Ensemble filmed a dance in a beautiful park in Austin. Geeti’s vision for this piece was the idea that “Joy is resistance.”
We will be performing a similar choreography in our upcoming show, In the Lap of the Garden! Your last chance to get discounted Early Bird Show Tickets ends this Thursday, April 27th so go get your tickets now!
🎉 Early-bird tickets are available for the next few days only!
You can attend the show in-person or online!
Someone I was coaching recently asked me:
…but, April, what if I feel no joy?
Oh dear one, if this is you:
Remember that you are part of nature and you are not alone in experiencing difficult emotions.
Dance is a medicine you can dose yourself with right now.
Try popping in some headphones and dancing. Not necessarily like in this video. Try dancing like a kid jumping, headbanging, and throwing their limbs around on the playground.
How you move doesn’t matter. The music you move to doesn’t matter. What it looks like doesn’t matter.
Just move! Just go outside. I promise it will make life at least a little bit easier and more connected.
If you simply do not have the energy to do either of these things, perhaps your current environment/ life’s circumstances are not healthy for you right now.
Please consider getting the support you need in order to change what you CAN change (relationships for example) and to cope with what you cannot change (chronic illness for example).
You deserve to feel joy and you are capable of it as well.
My heart goes out to all of you struggling with fear, depression, anxiety, health problems, heartbreak, and loneliness. It sucks! You are so not alone. I’m sending you wishes of strength as you allow and move through difficult times. You will feel joy again.
And I hope you will be uplifted by our upcoming show!
🎟️ Get your tickets now before the early-bird price expires in a few days!
…and you don't have to live in Austin, Texas to see it! We'll be live-streaming the show online through two high quality camera angles so no matter where you watch from you will feel like you are in the audience with us! And if you can't attend the live-stream, no worries! You will have 7 days of replay access!
In the Lap of the Garden
🌹 an offering of devotion to Mother Nature 🌹
through raqs sharqi, Persian and transcultural dance
featuring The Cohesion Collective and Nafas Dance Ensemble
May 27, 2023
in Austin, TX & streaming online with 7 days replay access
You don't want to miss these incredibly inspiring performers:
The Cohesion Collective and Nafas Dance Ensemble's...
April Rose
Ariel Celeste
Ayssa Altahif
Azadeh Poursepanj
Carisa Leal
Cheyney Teagan
Devin Alfather
Erin Murdock
Gaby Oniria Tovar
Lacy Dawn
Lauren Amable
Lorien Mariah
Olivia Chacon
Sadah Luna
Subina Spirit
with live music by Abdullah Alqaroot
We'll be presenting raqs sharqi, Persian dance, flamenco, transcultural dance, live drumming, finger cymbals, and voice. All in reverence, respect, and gratitude for Mother Nature. 🌿
I sincerely hope you will join us!
Warmly,
April Rose 🌹
P.S.
💠 Apply to work with me inside The Cohesion Collective and get your invite to my advanced private training where I go over my 3-part Cohesion framework for becoming a brilliant bellydancer! The application only takes 2 minutes, there is no obligation to join, and my free training for accepted applicants is full of tips and inspiration!
🚨 You'll want to apply ASAP to join us in time for my upcoming live masterclass where I lead you through my daily conditioning routine! You don't want to miss it!
Read what my students are saying about The Cohesion Collective…
Kelly got rave reviews about her dance teaching skills after earning her Dance Cohesion Stage 1 Teacher Certification:
“April, I wanted to share with you some feedback from the owner of a studio I recently taught at:
”You really did a great job yesterday, Kelly. You broke everything down so well and made it really fun too! I was really impressed! I think everyone really enjoyed it.”
I really am enjoying teaching - more than I expected. And I’m glad I am getting my teaching certification through your program. ”
Become a Brilliant Bellydancer
Apply to join us inside The Cohesion Collective and get your free invite to watch my advanced private training on how to become a brilliant bellydancer using the 3-part Cohesion Framework: