Dance and art: Two sides of the same coin
This weekend, I went dancing again — and it was fab (once I got there!).
I go to a beautiful 5 Rhythms class run by the wonderful Jessica Howie, who also offers a really gentle expressive art class. Every time I go, I leave feeling amazing — yet, strangely, I always have this moment beforehand where I find myself dreading it just a little.
I think it’s my highly sensitive side — the part of me that overthinks social situations and suddenly fixates on the awkward bits. The fact that when you arrive, you’re expected to keep quiet (or just whisper). That some people know each other, while others stand alone. That you step into a space in the room and just… start moving. Nothing unusual for a class like this, but still, that starting moment always feels uncomfortable to me.
But then, the music starts. I take a breath, close my eyes, and let myself move. And I remember why I come.
Moving without rules
The beauty of 5 Rhythms is that you can move however you want, and nobody cares. There’s no need to be graceful, coordinated, or “good” at dancing. You just move in the way your body wants to move. And sometimes, when you fully let go, it even feels beautiful — not because it looks a certain way, but because it feels right.
The best part? By the end of the session, it feels like my whole body has been able to say what it needed to say. There’s this deep sense of release, as though movement has helped shake loose all the emotions and tension I didn’t even realize I was holding onto.
Dance and art: Different mediums, same purpose
Every time I go, I’m struck by how much this approach to dance mirrors my approach to making (and teaching) art.
For me, art is never about producing a perfect piece — it’s about getting out what’s inside me. The thoughts, emotions, and energy that build up all find their way onto the page. Dance does the same thing, but for the body.
When I create art, I release what’s in my mind. When I dance, I release what’s in my body. And both forms of expression are deeply, powerfully connected.
Have you ever used movement as expression?
I think a lot of people feel intimidated by dance or by art — thinking they need to be “good” at it to even try. But what if you didn’t have to be? What if you could just move, create, explore — without worrying about how it looks?
If you’ve ever felt drawn to creative expression, whether through movement, painting, or another form, I encourage you to just start. Not to make something “beautiful” but to let something out.
Have you ever used dance, art, or another creative practice as a form of emotional expression? I’d love to hear your thoughts!