Meditation for Dancers

Dealing with an obstacle emotionally can easily bring up feelings of stress, anxiety, worry, fear, un-motivation, and even depression if a person is stuck in a negative single-minded state. This article, sourced from the MDX library summon, describes that meditation could really help with focus and concentration for dancers, as well as a ‘useful tool for defeating negative self-judgment,’ a quality that poses various emotional challenges.

Meditation creates a sense calmness and peace by entering an altered state of consciousness.

Meditation helps people to better handle daily stress. When the mind is overloaded, your concentration starts to deteriorate. Clutter is the problem. Many people have so much on their minds that they are in a constant state of stress and worry. Stress comes from brain overload and the inability to turn off the flow of thoughts. Worries pull us out of the present moment into the future (how will I pay all my bills?) and the past (why didn't I get that role?). (Weiss, D. April 2008.)

*Flow of thoughts is used as a term to describe emotions, feelings and thoughts that overwhelm the mind. It leads us away from the present, not being able to focus on what there is to be done in that moment or to focus on a task, inhibiting a person to fully overcome any challenge.

This mental clutter can be reduced through meditation, which has been proven to alleviate anxiety. Research has shown that it induces a state of contentment, making the person feel calm (a quality needed to deal with a difficult situation).There are certain parts of the brain that are triggered with different types of emotions and feelings:

• Amygdala is most active when there are feelings of emotional distress, anger or depression. It is the part that controls emotions and fear responses
• Right prefrontal cortex is associated with anxiety and depression.
• Left prefrontal cortex is most active in a positive state of mind. Meditation plays an important role here where it helps a person to shift their brain activity to the left hemisphere, reduce their anger and anxiety and feel much more content

Weiss states that, “ We can’t change events, but we can change our reactions to them.” This refers back to the different theories of emotional resilience and emotionally rising up to challenges where it all comes down to how a person reacts and acts to a situation. Therefore not letting their emotions direct them. Any negative emotions “…can cause damage to one's health. Daily meditation creates greater emotional stability and a sense of calm.” (Weiss, D. , April 2008.)

Different meditation techniques and how they work:

·      Concentration meditation- focusing on a single subject, which helps to prevent all other distracting thoughts and emotions come into the mind.

·      Transcendental meditation- a certain mantra is repeated for 20 minutes, clearing the mind of all distractions and worries.

·      Mindfulness (insight meditation)- involves yogic breathing and visualisation. It helps calm the nervous system and clear the mind

·      Guided imagery- type of insight meditation that is used to rid the mind of any negative thoughts and feelings.

Weiss, D. , April 2008. Body Watch: Meditation for Dancers: Find Inner Peace Through These Meditation Techniques, ProQuest. (online) Avalailable at: http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.mdx.ac.uk/docview/207944890?pq-origsite=summon