Shiva Nata: the Dance of ShivaBalance, grace, skeletons. Dance of Shiva.
Okay. This is a letter that I’m reprinting (with permission, of course) from Frank Mitchell, a new-ish Shivanaut who wrote to us with the most beautiful story.
What he describes so eloquently is such a completely *classic* Dance of Shiva moment for so many reasons.
Man, you just have to read this.
– Havi
Transformation, skeletons and the most beautiful story.
Dear Havi (and Selma),
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for creating the Dance of Shiva Starter Kit. I bought the kit last Saturday without really knowing what I was doing or why.
But I loved that it was endorsed by a duck, and I had a feeling inside me that said, “You need to own this.”
So I read the worksheets, puzzled my way through the arm movements, and started keeping a daily journal. I got confused, felt lost, and loved the warm fuzzy brain feeling that came afterwards. Six days later, I had the most amazing experience.
For the first time in twenty six years, I can stand on my own two feet, and it doesn’t feel wrong.
I have always hunched. It’s a caved chest gangly neck look my mother, grandfather, and cousins share. I never thought much of it. It was simply the way I stood, and I didn’t know how to stand any differently.
Last Thursday I did my morning Dance of Shiva. During shavasana, I saw this image of a skeleton cringing as if from a blow.
It was the pattern of that familial hunch, and I knew I didn’t have to do it any more.
I stood up.
I didn’t hunch.
My head balanced on my spine. My spine balanced on my hips. My hips balanced on my legs. My legs balanced on my feet. It was the first time in my life I’ve been able to stand without it feeling wrong, or awkward, or graceless.
I can look people in the eye, because my gaze no longer follows a hunched spine to their feet. It’s one of the most profound experiences I have ever had.
So thank you for bring Dance of Shiva to me. It’s an amazing, crazy, scary, awesome treasure, and I’m loving every minute of it.
Namaste,
Frank Mitchell
Am I right or am I right?
Beautiful.
That.is.so.very.beautiful.
Thank you dear Frank, for being you, and for sharing your amazing story and spirit. Bless you.
Goddess Leonies last blog post..My mama is making me write this.
Wow.
Another cool thing about being a Shivanaut? Knowing that just about every day, someone I’ll never meet or know is standing in front of his or her dvd player, waving arms around, laughing helplessly, and then being transformed. Even if it’s not my day for lightening from Heaven, it’s *somebody’s* day. Hurrah for that.
Melyndas last blog post..It’s Not All Gracious Living Around Here
Twitter: shannonmw
You weren’t kidding. There are tears in my eyes. And then reading Melynda’s comment, laughter too. And mad head nodding. YES!
Shannon Wilkinsons last blog post..Listen to this!
Wow………simply wow…
Evelines last blog post..Sunday Bliss
Twitter: havi
Right?
@Leonie – that’s *exactly* what I was thinking!
@Melynda – you crack me up. That’s a much better way of looking at it than “dear god, why can I not get this right?” which is totally what happens to me.
@Shannon + Eveline – *blows kiss*
Yay, Shivanauts!
Twitter: kimianak
That is awesome! Something so profound after only 6 days? Wow! And it’s only the beginning… Happy Shiva Nata-ing, Frank!
Josianes last blog post..Creative vegan tip of the day!