Earlier this summer, I had the special honor and joy to collaborate with a great friend, Susan McCulley, to offer an afternoon “playshop” of dance and singing.
All were invited to a special afternoon hosted by Buck Mountain Episcopal Church in Earlysville, Virginia, on Saturday, June 18, from 2 to 4:15 p.m. In the end, about 35 people showed up to lift their own spirits.
If you can walk you can dance.
If you can talk you can sing.
– African proverb
Here are the things that I took away from that event:
- Nia and Singing create a tremendously wonderful synergy – Nia helps you work the kinks out of every nook and cranny in your body. Then, singing – an act most do not allow for themselves – helps you connect the superhighways between head and heart.
- It is fabulous to dance like a crazy fool. Luckily, Susan McCulley is the right kind of crazy awesome and provides a wonderful, structured environment to explore this side of yourself.
- Life doesn’t get any better than feeling like a sparkling gem. And that’s what you feel like after you dance for an hour, then sing. And then eat wonderful snacks provided by the organizers.
- It doesn’t matter what age you are, what skill level you have, or whether you can tell your left side from your right side: you can do this.
- We are all so much more brilliant than our daily lives often allow for us to be.
- It is wise to take time to reconnect body and soul, for from this space comes your innermost brilliance, wisdom, and well-placed action.
Here’s the event description:
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We sometimes think only people with talent and training should sing or dance, and the rest of us are destined to be in the audience. Wrong. Singing and dancing are supremely human activities that everybody can do. Everybody! Open up to sound and movement in this afternoon “playshop” held in an intimate retreat setting. Leave energized and relaxed, refreshed and revitalized. Leave feeling like you.
Music, Movement & Magic led by Nia Black-Belt Instructor Susan McCulley
Susan has been leading Nia classes, workshops, and retreats since 2000. Nia offers a sensory-based movement experience that combines elements from a variety of traditions and invites the body to move in playful, powerful, and expressive ways. Susan loves to encourage people of all ages and abilities to find The Joy of Movement with an eclectic mix of music and movement, focused attention – and laughter! Relax in your body’s way.
Music, Magic & You led by Heather Hightower
As an internationally traveling singer and transformational coach, Heather delights in creating a safe space for singers and non-singers alike to come together in sound. Expect to sing funny sounds, simple international songs, and play rhythm games. It’s not about what you sound like or hitting the “right” notes – it’s about opening up to the gift of sound and connecting your head to your heart. All levels are encouraged to participate, especially those who have been told they shouldn’t sing.
Getting ready to start the afternoon! Check out all the Orbs. 
This post was written by
Heather – who has written 72 posts on Heather Hightower.
You are way more musical than you believe.
