African Healing Dance

Wyoma
Year Released: 1998

Categories: Floor Aerobics/Hi-Lo/Dance


The tape consists of an demo/intro, warm-up & then the 6 dances. The intro is filmed indoors, & the actual dances filmed outdoors, probably in Colorado. I agree with the first reviewer, you have to be either free-spirited or at least open enough with YOURSELF to truly enjoy the tape. The introduction is Wyoma showing you how to have mind-body connection to the Earth. She reminds you to breathe, & to be patient & non-judgemental about yourself when learning the dances & if you feel you don't know what you're doing or confused, just slow down, & take it easy. Some of the moves are pivots, shimmies,a back-front-together movement with the feet, & wide hip circles. She also has you to visualize for example the forces of nature (water element, since our bodies are 75% water) or an elephant movement, so you kind of move your body in a lumbering way. There is a live drummer playing during the intro, a live band during the dances. She goes double time in the dances, but starts off slowly. The 6 dances are Sowu from Ghana, Gbebe from the Ivory Coast, Focodoba from Guinea, Umoya from S.Africa, Nago an Afro-Haitian dance, Yonwalu the serpent dance, & the Healing Dance. She will make affirming statements throughout such as "if you feel if there is no one there to love you, you can always love yourself" & then does a light hug movement. I must say that the movements feel really natural & I honestly think children would enjoy this tape actually. A very unique & enjoyable tape.

Instructor Comments:
She is a a beautiful person inside & out, very in touch with her inner self. She's passionate about what she does. She makes this fun & not at all like a workout.

Michelle

03/02/1999