Your Delicious Life

Chakra - dancing on the inside

In this month's 'Kitchen Catch-up' we talk to Chakradance creator, Natalie Southgate, about how free (expressive) dancing can improve physical and spiritual health and encourage both creative and sexual expression.

Tell me a bit about your childhood passion for dancing. Was it the typical sing into the hairbrush and bop along to ABBA type stuff or something quite different?

I was a very shy and introverted child and so my mum sent me to dancing lessons at 4 years old to see if this would help bring me out of myself. Within months I was singing and dancing on stage and trained in dance for the rest of my childhood. I have danced all my life (everything from choreographed tap and jazz classes, shamanic dance, elemental dance, clubbing) and now of course, Chakradance. I always feel like I connect back to the real me whenever I dance.

How does free dance help to let go of anger and frustration and all the shitty stuff that drives a mum mad? (Are you a mother yourself?)

I am a mother of two (a 3 year old girl and a 10 month old boy) and need dance more now than ever! We store a lot of anger and frustration in our bodies and dance can really help to shift and release this energy. I recently ran a workshop for a group of mothers who all have physically disabled children who need full physical and emotional care. These amazing women found it really difficult to move their bodies as they are holding so much emotion. In Chakradance we work really gently to release emotions so that it is not overwhelming. There were some tears from the mums, but also a sense of connecting back to themselves. The organiser commented that they all looked like they had just walked out of having a 3 hour massage after the workshop. Dance really is healing!

What makes 'Chakradance' more effective/ powerful than dancing around your loungeroom to your favourite hits?

Chakradance is more of a dance practice for the soul. It is really about reconnecting back to our true self. The classes therefore have a very sacred feel; like a dynamic moving meditation.

Although we use spontaneous dance, the classes themselves are very structured.

We use the map of the chakra system to explore the many different facets of ourselves (from instincts, sexuality, power, love, communication, intuition, spirituality).

We dance in a darkened room with our eyes closed which helps to journey inwards. It can almost feel like a waking dream. It’s not about performance; it's about dancing from the inside out and expressing and exploring the different parts of ourselves.

The music also plays a key role in Chakradance as each track we use has either been written or selected to resonate to a particular chakra. The music acts as a kind of vibrational medicine. It has taken me 10 years so far in getting the music selection to where it is today and it is a job I will continue for the rest of my life. I can’t hear a piece of music now without feeling where it pulses in my body; without feeling the impact is has on my chakras.

We use our imaginations throughout the whole practice. We use guided imagery to tap into the chakras. Each chakra has specific correspondences (colour, element, animal etc.) which work on a symbolic level and help lead us into the energy of each chakra. A lot of people see images in their minds eye while they are dancing, or recall memories, or gain insights. Some experience, feelings, emotions or physical sensations. It’s an organic unfoldment of what’s inside.

Are your classes dominated by women? Do you think women, by nature, are more attracted to and benefit more from, free dancing than men? How? Why?

Yes our classes are dominated by women, although my male business partner, Douglas Channing, was so moved by Chakradance that he quit his career in advertising to join me in growing Chakradance. I think men and women equally benefit from Chakradance, but unfortunately a lot of men feel too embarrassed or nervous to come. We have a few male teachers now which I think may help us attract more men in the years to come.

Does Chakradance 'balance' youir chakras. If so, explain how this happens and how we benefit.

I think we all get stuck in our patterns and routines and over time begin to operate predominantly out of 2 or 3 or even 4 chakras. (There are 7 major chakras). This throws our lives, relationships, health etc. out of balance. In Chakradance (through the use of the dance, music and imagination), it is like we put a spotlight on to each chakra, illuminating each part of ourselves, and we get the chance to explore: is this chakra an overactive and dominant part of ourselves that needs calming? Or is it a buried, dormant part of us that needs to wake up? In Chakradance, we begin to shift our energy and become more conscious. We are always striving towards integration and balance.

Dancing is a very ancient and natural form of expression that's been used for many different reasons. Can a woman use dance to re-awaken her natural sexual self?

Absolutely! The sacral chakra is really all about our sexuality, sensuality, feelings, pleasure, eros! When we dance the belly chakra, we open up to this part of ourselves. A lot of women (and men) can feel uncomfortable here when they begin, but by exploring this energy in a safe space through dance and music, our natural sexual energy can be awakened. Many say that they felt like an ancient goddess when they surrendered into the dance.

How are creative expression and sexual expression related in the chakra system within the body?

Our sexual energy is very much related to our sacral chakra. Our creative expression is linked to both the sacral (as in the ultimate creative expression of creating children), but also in our throat chakra, from where we express our creativity (whether that be painting, singing, or the creative way we choose to dress ourselves.) Working directly with the throat chakra can really activate our creativity. (The simple humming technique works wonders for this chakra!)

What happens in a 'Chakradance' class? What should participants expect?

Everyone always comments on what it feels like when they arrive. The room is darkened, lit only by candles, the music is soft and it smells great. Many say it has a womb-like feel. It feels safe.

Each class begins with a short meditation and we always give you some information about Chakradance, and about the chakra we are working with, so you know what to expect.

The majority of the workshop is like a guided moving meditation with dance and music. We complete the workshop with a creative exercise based on mandala art and always have time for sharing and feedback at the end.

Although Chakradance is done in a group, it is very much a personal experience. Each journey is unique. Each time you do it, it can feel different.

What do you love most about Chakradance?

What a hard question as Chakradance is so central to my life. I feel like it keeps me on the path (even whilst having children, moving house, juggling work and family life). I try and dance daily if I can (we have a book out with a 15 minute guided Chakradance CD attached) so I try and find at least 15 minutes for me each day. Every time I Chakradance, I feel like I reconnect back to the inner me, the soul me. Every time I Chakradance I get new insights, something makes more sense. It helps me release, to feel, to breathe, to be awake to life!

Anything else you want to share?

Being a mum, I am now starting to use Chakradance with my children and can see how much it seems to be benefiting them. We are now in the process of developing workshops for children and are hoping to eventually get it into schools. I know I would have loved to have been shown this kind of stuff when I was a kid. Keeping the creativity alive, finding spirituality within, deepening imagination. (Anyone who is interested in kids workshops, please let us know.)

Alison Nancye catches up with Nicolette Rubinsztein about her 'mission' to raise funds for an entire township known as 'Missionvale'.

I am continually blown away by the incredible generosity of spirit of my super successful friend and fellow mum Nicolette Rubinsztein. General Manager Strategy for Colonial First State, a wife, mum to two young girls, Board member of Missionvale Australia, and a bunch of other great stuff too. Nicolette always gets my vote as a great woman making a difference in the world.

Missionvale is another baby of Nicolette's that she regularly nurtures, a township in dire need of support. You can't help but be more grateful for what you have, when you read about those less fortunate than yourself. With only 16 taps to service an estimated population of 130,000, I mean really just for a moment... imagine what life would be like if that was YOUR life.

Life for those living in Missionvale is a constant battle against disease and hunger. Certainly reminds me to appreciate every single detail of my life. Read more...

What is Missionvale and where is it located?
Missionvale is a "care centre" in South Africa, located in a shackland township just outside Port Elizabeth. It comprises a food outlet, nursing clinic, clothing distribution outlet, school, church and self-help training centre.

What is your role with Missionvale?
My husband and I joined with two other couples and formed a committee in Australia, the sole purpose of which is to raise funds for Missionvale.

Why Missionvale, what motivated you to get involved?
I lived in South Africa for 10 years and witnessed a lot of poverty there. However, finding the right charity to support wasn't easy. There's something very special and unique about Missionvale.  Firstly, its an area crying out for help - 70% of the population are unemployed and 60% are infected with HIV/ Aids. There is no electricity and only 16 taps to service an estimated population of 130,000. Secondly, its a venture which is small enough to make a personal difference. Finally, Sister Ethel is an inspiring personality and, together with the Board committee that runs Missionvale, you trust you money is being used wisely.

I read that Sister Ethel Normoyle feeds up to 1,000 people a day, sounds like she's a mum to the masses, tell us about her.
She really is amazing. She is an Irish nun who came to South Africa in the eighties to "preach the word of God", but soon realised there was more to be done. What she has created is incredible - an absolute oasis. I went to visit Missionvale with Sister Ethel last year and I was incredibly moved by what I saw. The centre is extremely well organised and run. She is a really vibrant personality. I also liked her focus on the women and children as the means to alleviate poverty.

What is your own personal mission for Missionvale?
I'd like to get to the stage where we can donate $100,000 per year. In South African Rands, this is a very significant sum, because the Rand currency is very weak.

How does being involved with Missionvale impact you as a mum and a wife?
It keeps you grounded. Its too easy in our relatively affluent world in Australia to forget how a lot of people in the rest of the world live. I'm forever doing calculations when I buy something as to what it would mean in Africa!

Have you got your own family involved with Missionvale?
Just my husband at this stage, who's also on the committee.

You sound like life is pretty full, being a senior corporate woman, mum to two young girls and wife, how do you find time for Missionvale?
I really struggle! Its often in fits and bursts.

If you struggle, why do you stay working on this project?
Because its the one area of my life where I can probably make the most difference....

Since, being involved with Missionvale what has the good work you have done, created for them?
It will sound strange, but Sister Ethel said the most valuable thing is a regular income stream, that they can count on. Even though one off donations are good, a regular income stream allows for them to plan and budget much more easily.

How can other people donate funds and support Missionvale?
Please visit Missionvale - Make a Donation and follow the instructions.

I'd like to leave you with the 'Mission and Vision for the Friends of Missionvale'. I think it teaches us so much about humanity, compassion and generosity of spirit.

"To enter into the lives of the poor in their pain, loneliness and despair. To recognize that we have done nothing to deserve our prosperity. As they have done nothing to deserve their deprivation. To reach out a hand of solidarity, compassion and love, filled not with empty platitudes, but with food, medicine, learning and hope.

To learn from the sick and the vulnerable, the great lessons of humility and simplicity. To learn from ourselves, the limits of our charity and the boundaries of our selflessness.

To know and believe that a Care Centre, within our city and within our hearts, is only the beginning - but a beginning where anything is possible."

Click here to read more about Missionvale Australia

Lyndal Edwards catches up with Kay Danes who was working as a security advisor in Laos in 2000 when her husband was abducted from his office by secret police. She fled with her two youngest children to the border but was intercepted by the same police, separated from her children and sent to an undisclosed location. 

Held hostage for 10 months, Kay and her husband endured torture and ill treatment, and witnessed unspeakable human rights violations. Kay drew on the strength of her husband Kerry (held in a cell only metres away), and the spirit of her fellow political prisoners, in order to survive while the Australian government tried desperately to have them freed.

On November 9, 2001, Kay and Kerry returned home to their children. It’s a miracle they survived. ..

Why and how were you and your husband arrested in Laos in the first place?

In December 2000, in defiance of international law, my husband Kerry, the Managing Director of a British security company based in Laos, was abducted from his office by secret police. He was taken to an undisclosed location where interrogators tried, unsuccessfully, to make him sign a false statement against one of his clients, to support their legal nationalisation of Gem Mining Laos, a US$2 billion sapphire mining company.

When all attempts failed, I was detained. The Laos police thought this would coerce my husband into signing. Little did they know Kerry had spent the last 20 years in the Australian Special Forces, the elite Special Air Service Regiment (SAS).

The Lao police told the media that we were detained for 'investigation over missing gems' but this was merely a smokescreen to buy them more time to nationalise Gem Mining Lao. No gems were ever missing and in fact, the 1.7 tonne of saphires our company directed, by the Lao government to safeguard during its investigation of our client, was handed over to authorities three weeks prior to our unlawful detainment.

Nothing was missing. Nothing was stolen. Our reputations were ruined because the media didn't know what was going on and their headlines perpetuated a lie put out by the Lao secret police. Thankfull the Australian Government knew the truth, which at the time was all that mattered to us anyway!

Have you ever feared for your life, either while imprisoned or throughout your working life?
Of course the security industry is a dangerous business and there were often times when I operated in very high risk environments but I have always been confident in my ability and the capabilities of my associates. Certainly in the prison I thought that I would be killed during interrogations and at other times feared for my life when the interrogators became frustrated that they could not force us to sign false statements against our client. I feared that there would be a fire too in our cell block and we would all burn alive. I feared that the mosquitoes riddled with dengue fever would infect me and I would die just like Mr. Kylie died [Sri Lankan], who was jailed because his friend skipped on a $200 dollar phone bill and the landlord paid police to put Mr. Kylie in jail. He died right in front of me when I was trying to save his life.

How have you managed to instill a sense of security, trust and freedom within your family since your return (from prison?)
We have all come through this ordeal tremendously. My children are of course our greatest inspiration. They never gave up and they always kept remarkable spirits.

How did your experience in Laos prepare you for your second book, Families Behind Bars?
As a recognised International Humanitarian and Author I am fortunate to have many opportunities that enable me to share my views on social justice and human rights worldwide, to make a difference to other people’s lives. I receive emails everyday from families all over the world; many of them have experienced the trauma of having a loved one detained in a foreign prison. I wanted to give them a voice, to share their real life accounts that are uniquely inspirational, shockingly heartbreaking and will make others appreciate how fragile our lives really are. We may, without any warning, be plunged into a rollercoaster of despair, at no fault of our own. I never gave much thought to the importance of our human and civil rights until ours were completely violated when my husband and I were subjected to unlawful detainment and torture. I strongly believe as a consequence, that we cannot assume that we are immune from human rights violations. We cannot afford to think that bad things happen only to bad people. After all, maybe one day something quite tragic, completely unexpected or unavoidable may happen to someone we love, as it did to my family.

I hope Families Behind Bars will encourage others to think outside their comfort zone and to think about the choices they make. A split-second decision or failure to really think about the consequences can change their lives forever. But I also hope to raise the level of empathy we have towards each other, in our communities, so that we truly grasp that humans inevitably make mistakes and the majority of us can and do learn from them. We can also learn to put our troubles aside for a moment and extend a helping hand to someone who is down on their luck or in way over their head. It makes the world not as cold and harsh as it sometimes seems. This book is about the resilience of families who endure despite the odds. I hope that these stories will help give courage to others so that they endure whatever struggles they too might be facing.

Today, Kay is an advocate for human rights and the Foreign Prisoner Support Service. She has written two books: ‘Nightmare in Laos’ (about her ordeal) and ‘Families Behind Bars’ (examining the trauma of families all over the world with a loved one on a foreign prison).

For more on Kay Danes and her books: http://www.kaydanes.com