Some of my happiest memories are of costume dance parties in grungy group houses in San Francisco and Portland, music turned all the way up, everyone moving however their bodies wanted to move. I didn't call it healing back then. I just knew I always walked away feeling lighter, more like myself and more connected to the people around me. Twenty years into my career as a therapist, I now understand why. Dance is one of the oldest forms of healing we have, and it's one of the most joyful.
That understanding is the heart of Flowrobics, a movement movement I co-created with a dear friend. Here's what it is, why it works, and how you can join us.
[PHOTO: a Flowrobics class or Bren dancing]
What is Flowrobics?
Flowrobics is a fun yet powerful practice that blends meditation, music and free movement in a safe, welcoming container. There are no steps to learn, no mirrors to judge yourself in and no way to get it wrong. We begin by arriving in the body with a short meditation, then let carefully chosen music guide us through waves of movement, from slow and grounding to wild and silly, before coming back to stillness at the end. The goal isn't to look good. The goal is to feel good, to move through what's stuck, and to remember that your body knows how to heal.
Why is dance healing?
So much of what we carry doesn't live only in our thoughts. Stress, fear, grief and old survival patterns settle into our shoulders, our breath, our hips and our hearts. Talking about these things matters, and it's a big part of what I do, but sometimes the body needs its own way in. Dance and movement therapy is a recognized field for exactly this reason, and people across cultures have danced through celebration, transition and mourning for as long as there have been people.
When we move freely to music, a few lovely things tend to happen:
We get out of our heads. Movement interrupts the loop of overthinking and drops us into the present moment.
We release what's stuck. Shaking, stomping, swaying and stretching give stored tension and emotion somewhere to go.
We find flow. That absorbed, timeless feeling where we stop watching ourselves and simply become the dance.
We feel less alone. Moving alongside other people, even on a screen, reminds us that we're in this together.
We play. And play, I truly believe, is one of the most underrated healing tools there is.
Dancing with grief
Grief is something I work with every week, and I've learned that it moves in waves, not stages. Some days it's heavy and still, and other days it's restless, angry or unexpectedly full of laughter. Movement gives grief a place to live outside of words. In a Flowrobics class, you're welcome to cry on the dance floor, to move slowly and tenderly, or to dance with joy in honor of someone you love. All of it belongs. I've seen people leave class feeling closer to the person they've lost, as though they'd been dancing together.
Do I need to know how to dance?
Absolutely not. If you've ever tapped your foot, swayed in the kitchen or danced in the car at a red light, you're more than qualified. Flowrobics is for every body, every age and every level of rhythm. You can move big or small, standing or seated, and you're always welcome to rest.
How can I join Flowrobics?
We offer a weekly Flowrobics class, and our dream is to grow it into a bigger online experience where people can move together from all over the world. I also bring Flowrobics as an experiential workshop to retreats, conferences and organizations, including in-person events in and around Charlottesville, Nelson and Albemarle counties and the Tidewater area. If you'd like to host a session, I'd love to hear from you through my contact page.
Frequently asked questions about Flowrobics
Is Flowrobics a workout?
It can get your heart pumping, but it's really a moving meditation. Think of it less like a fitness class and more like a joyful practice for your nervous system and your spirit.
Is Flowrobics therapy?
Flowrobics is a creative wellbeing practice, not a replacement for therapy, though it pairs beautifully with therapy, KAP and psychedelic integration.
Can Flowrobics be added to my retreat or conference?
Yes. It's one of my favorite workshops to bring to gatherings, and it works for groups of all sizes, in person or online.
Keep moving with the Meditation Club
If you love the idea of healing through music and play, you'll feel right at home in my Meditation Club. Each week members receive a new guided meditation, my art, coloring pages and a playlist, including plenty of songs that are perfect for a solo kitchen dance party.