::grinning:: Okay, trying to multi-task and it evidently isnt working for me-- Journies = Journeys.

I did a chi kung teacher training where all the chinese 5 elements are connected to the energy of the different animals.
I have been exploring the different elements ie water - snake turtle bear dragon in the chinese system and their chi connection and looking at how these translate into snake arms and body undulations and camel walks etc. I have found the water element pretty easy to work with and am starting to explore fire and earth. The Chinese always connect birds to fire (crane). I feel the shimmy is a firey move would would welcome comments.

For me it's less about what I DO, and more about how I FEEL. I find that if I am filled with some kind of uncomfortable emotion, the dance will help me transform it into something more akin to "pure energy." Once it becomes "pure energy" it is easy to work with.....and I can channel it toward healing.

The actual transformation of the energy happens as I dance with my Spirit friends, and even channel them. Or "dance the animal" as the Motherpeace Tarot cards put it! (The Fool, the Magician, Strength, especially).

Once the energy has been transformed into "pure energy," I can direct it toward healing (myself and others), peacemaking (direct the energy toward a part of the world where conflict is occuring....or toward people who are quarreling, clearing sorrow and pain (people, places, animals, trees, etc.), blessing (anywhere and anything!), or just directing it toward our loved ones who can partake of it if they wish!

(A good "extra" zip can be added to the "conflict resolution" by throwing a bit of salt on a fire....this will make the fire "jump" and the salt crystal "explode." BE CAREFUL with this. If you are just burning a candle, you only need ONE GRAIN of salt! As it POPS, the obstacle that is keeping the people fighting....that obstacle will open up! Always work "for the good of all, according to free will" as Marion Weinstein puts it.)

"So I'm just curious - would anyone like to share their dance meditation techniques? Do you do something special, or do you just put on music you like and start moving?"

Just a little from my own experimentation and limited experience...

One way to begin dance meditation is to let the music become you. Begin maybe by just closing your eyes, in a relaxed posture, and breathe with the music, and allow the movement naturally unfold from that place. (I find this best with slower or more taqsim style of music, maybe).

Another is beginning with a specific repetitive movement, such as a qi gong movement (as I often begin with), and then as the energy builds just follow it where it wants to lead. Move always from your center, which is the belly (lower dan t'ien in qi gong terminology), without thought. You can alternatively begin with a simple movement such as maya, or umi, or even some 'warm up' movments, the underlying principle is the same. (To me dance meditation is not limited to any one form or style dance, but rather you will probably find what you do will naturally follow whatever forms you have studied and practiced to the extent that they have become integrated into your muscle memory.)

Of course that latter part is the hard part! Especially when the thoughts such as "am I doing this correct?" or "Does this move look right/good?" or "am I doing bellydance or something else?" and so forth. Thoughts like these kill the flow very quickly, in my experience. Let them pass by like clouds. Part of the point for me is to evade our internal censor, very much caught up in ego, in order to experience of a more free movement and connection with the energy of spirit that is all around and within us. As in any meditation, you will find the moments of that openess increase gradually, from a few seconds to a minute or two and so forth. If you lose the flow as a result, you may need to stop, and start again.

And in the end, return to stillness, and ground.

And remember, of course, meditative dance is about your experience, rather than being about a performance to display to others. However, if by chance you record a session, you may be surprised by the results too! Especially the times when you really were lost in the moment, as it were.