Best way to learn living in the moment in 2022
After the global events that started in 2020, more and more people want to enjoy the present moment. They’ve understood that the future is uncertain and that nobody knows what is about to happen in their lives. In order to stay sane in these chaotic times, it’s important to embrace the present and just live your life to the fullest without worrying about the future.
When you are focused on what is happening now, you are more likely to be happy and successful. In fact, you have power only over the present moment. Forget about the future and the past, they do not exist right now! So stop worrying about them and enjoy the time you have NOW.
This way of living gives you the resources you need to help you deal with future challenges that may arise. You can overcome fears, sadness, and anxiety by spending time in the present moment.
When you are focused on what you are experiencing here and now, you are able to dive into happiness and joy and feel like your life has meaning. You cannot control or change what has happened in the past or what will happen in the future. You are a constantly evolving human being and it only matters what choices you would make in the now. So, enjoy the small moments in life, by being creative and inspired.
But how to make this lifestyle become your daily routine? What is the best way to learn to live in the present moment?
There are many pathways that you can take in order to accomplish that. Let’s dive deeper today into exploring one of the easiest and most joyful tool for that. Which is dancing.
Dancing is a holistic mind and body experience that we were born with. Babies start dancing long before they learn to crawl or walk. As we grow up, we gradually lose this natural ability as we become more and more self-centered and disconnected from our bodies. We learn to worry about how we look when we dance, what others might think about us and so on. But these are just thoughts in your mind that you are feeding with your focus and energy.
Kids don’t do that! They just dance and have fun being themselves in the moment. When we let our minds focus on these negative thoughts, we can drain our energy and cause a lot of stress in our physical selves.
Yet, as we face the world and its challenges every day, the importance of being able to connect deeply with our own bodies and minds becomes ever more essential. It often feels like a battle between the analytical mind and the free-spirited emotions in the body. Yet, it is possible to bring these two aspects of ourselves together so that we can tap into our intuitive guidance system and take more conscious decisions in our lives.
And here comes dancing into the picture! Research has shown that dancing may activate both the left and right hemispheres of the brain at the same time, which creates a state of relaxation as well as alertness in the mind. It also causes the release of endorphins in the brain which act as natural painkillers and boost energy levels.
In addition to this, dancing can also have a powerful effect on emotions by helping us to get in touch with our feelings in a nonjudgmental way. This can make us more aware of what we are feeling at any given moment and lead to a greater sense of well-being and contentment in our lives.
In order to train your ability to live in the moment, you can use the following dance routines:
Dance Meditation
Dance meditation is a form of solo dancing that allows you to explore the subtle feelings and sensations in your body through creative expression. It allows you to step out of your head and into your body so that you can feel more fully present and connected to yourself and the environment you are in.
It has the same purpose as regular meditation, but it could be more suitable, especially for people who cannot stand still during meditation. It is way easier to relax and calm your mind when you are doing something physically.
All you need for dance meditation is a comfortable environment and a safe space where you can move around and express yourself freely. You can choose a melody in any style you like but is best to choose something without lyrics so that you can fully concentrate on what you are doing and avoid any distractions or unwanted thoughts. You can then begin moving around the room as you follow the rhythm and feel the music in your heart. You can also close your eyes if you prefer to focus your attention inward rather than outward. But if you do so, make sure that you know the space you are dancing in, so you won’t hurt yourself when your eyes are closed.
As you move your body to the music, try to focus on listening to your inner self and connecting with the present moment. Try to stay in the present moment as much as you can throughout the exercise and avoid thinking about the past or the future. Just sense how your movements are flowing into the music and how you are feeling right now. Let your emotions flow from the core of your being and accept whatever you are experiencing at that exact moment. Dance without any judgments and expectations. You are beautiful the way you are!
The more you allow yourself to be open and free to move and express your feelings, the more you will discover the true meaning of life which is right here, right now.
Dance in your imagination
You may choose this method when you are tired or right before bed, in order to help you with a good night’s sleep. Chose a melody that makes you feel relaxed and peaceful. Close your eyes and imagine yourself in a beautiful place like the beach for example, or somewhere in nature or even at your favorite place at home. Take a few moments to visualize vividly this scene and then immerse yourself in it.
Connect to the rhythm of the music you are listening. Then see yourself dancing, feeling happy and confident. Allow yourself to get lost in the fantasy and simply enjoy the experience for as long as you can. You can set an intention for this practice or even choose something you would like to heal. You may choose to feel more confident or to manifest abundance in your life. You can work on self-love and gratitude as well.
There are no limits to this practice. Just be fully present in this moment and enjoy the process. Your imagination is limitless and so are the possibilities of healing your mind and body with this “virtual” dance routine.
Listen to the sounds around you and dance
A really effective way to learn living in the moment is to immerse yourself in nature, to listen to the sounds around you and to become a part of this harmony through dancing.
You may want to go for a walk in nature and listen to the sounds of birds singing or flowing water. You may choose to dance using its unique melody. Or you may prefer to simply sit and listen to the different sounds of nature all around you and enjoy the inner dance of happiness.
And if you choose to dance outside, you can start by choosing a spot where you feel comfortable. Then take several deep breaths and feel the flow of energy in your body as it joins together with the natural rhythm of the environment surrounding you. Start moving freely, listening to impulses that come from within and just let yourself loose and follow them. Transform those impulses into moves. Try to make this moment joyful and creative as if you are expressing your innermost self through dance.
Listen to your body and move intuitively to the rhythm you create in the moment with the sounds around you. Enjoy this inner dance and allow yourself to let go and move freely without judgment. Dance like nobody’s watching…that’s what it’s all about. Have fun!
Attend dance classes
If you would like to socialize with other people passionate about movement and dance, you can choose to attend dance classes to your liking. There are many different kinds to choose from like hip-hop, contemporary, ballet, modern dance etc.
Or, if you are keener towards social dances, you may like to attend salsa, bachata, kizomba, zouk or swing dance classes. These styles are based on improvisation and are very accessible and enjoyable for beginners.
Improvisation is one of the main tools for learning to be in the moment. It is used in the practice of mindfulness-based approaches such as yoga, martial arts and meditation, it basically means doing without thinking and letting your thoughts go and being guided by emotions coming from your heart and soul. And when following your inner impulse you will be surprised how creative and unique you can become. You can use your creativity to express and non-verbally communicate how you feel, love and connect to others without any words.
When you improvise while dancing you are able to express your own individual style that is natural to you. You are fully immersed in the present moment and in your own inner world. And to make this experience even more rewarding and insightful, you need to let go of any judgments and expectations about how you should look or move. This will allow you to let go of all the pressure you put on yourself and enjoy the NOW.
Freeing yourself from the pressure of expectations and judgments will allow you to let go of inhibitions and open yourself to experiencing freedom, joy and oneness with your partner and other dancers in the dance class. You will be surprised by the positive effect this has on your mood and well-being and how it can help you feel more connected to yourself and your body. You will also be able to let go of any feelings of guilt or shame that may come from judging yourself or others.
And when you feel free and connected with yourself you can start to enjoy the moment more fully and open up your heart, mind and soul to new possibilities that were previously invisible to you. This will help you to improve your self-awareness and understand how your mind works so you can become more conscious of your emotions and feelings and learn how to manage them better.
And remember, whatever the style you choose, the most important thing is that you enjoy the process and be fully present in the moment to experience the joy of movement and music.
Go to social dance parties and festivals
Social dance parties are fun, festive events where you can connect with other people, enjoy music and dance together. They are a great way to learn more about different types of dance and meet new people who share your interest in dancing and music.
There are many salsa, bachata, kizomba, zouk and swing dance festivals around the world and you can even travel to different locations and explore different cultures while you attend different dance parties along the way.
It is a perfect way to learn how to quickly connect to other human beings and release your inhibitions and judgment of yourself and others without feeling like you need to show everyone how well you can dance. When you find yourself in a situation like this where there is no competition involved, you will be able to let go of all fear and start to dance and connect with others without having to perform under pressure and fear of failure.
When you dance the type of styles like salsa, bachata or kizomba you cannot be somewhere else in the past or future for more than several seconds. These dances require you to be fully present and connected with your body, the partner you are dancing with, the music playing and also the dance floor you are in. This creates a state of flow where you become completely absorbed in what you are doing and lose yourself in the music and the movements of the dance.
When you are in a state of flow you feel a powerful sense of joy and excitement and feel connected to the world around you because you are experiencing a state of heightened awareness and are completely engaged in the present moment where time seems to slow down and everything around you feels right and perfect.
Dance with your partner
Dancing with your partner could become a very enjoyable experience and it also helps to strengthen the connection between you two. It adds a new flavor and romance to your relationship and allows you to share experiences and emotions with one another while doing something fun and exciting together. And while dancing together in a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere you are fully present in the moment.
My personal observation as a dance teacher has shown that couples who dance together are more likely to be happier, healthier and more satisfied with their relationships than couples who don’t. Learning to dance with your loved one is a great way to develop and strengthen your relationship as well as build trust and intimacy with each other. It’s also fun to do as a couple!
There is a powerful psychological and emotional connection between people and dancing. The connection happens on a subconscious level and it ignites a feeling between partners that is universal and profound. During those moments of connection through movement, you can feel the energy flowing back and forth between you and your partner which leaves you with a sense of deep and lasting love and joy. So go out and dance with your partner and enjoy this wonderful experience together. You won’t regret it!
Conclusion
When you are in a state of flow everything seems perfect at that moment and you feel as if anything is possible. You feel happy and relaxed and have a feeling like everything is right in your world.
This is why dancing is one of the most powerful, fun and creative way to learn living in the moment. It has the power to transform your life by opening your heart and bringing you closer to your true essence and inner beauty. So enjoy the present moment dance whenever you can and experience this wonderful feeling of bliss and well-being!