Move to your own beat and embark on a spiritual journey with CHAKRADANCE™ by Pearlin Siow.

What it’s about

CHAKRADANCE™ is a holistic exercise programme in the form of spontaneous dance that draws on your personal experience rather than following a fixed routine. Participants dance in a dark room with their eyes closed to free their inhibitions. Guided by music, colours and creative visualisation, it aims to help you release your natural energies and harmonise your chakras, strengthening your state of health and well-being. Chakras are our energy centres and we have seven major chakras, which network through our mind, body, and spirit to interact as one holistic system.

My morning session was conducted in a cosy room awash with candle light and infused with the scent of incense. Instructor David Cheah, who is a trained Pranic healer and Arhati Yogi, first guided me through a short meditation to centre myself. “ Just let yourself go with the flow. There is no right way to do it as everyone has their own rhythm and movement,’ he assured me.

Standing with my eyes closed, I was led through a brief warm-up session. Then, the music started and David began the creative visualisation exercise as he led me through a dance of my different chakras – from base all the way up to my crown chakra. For each 20 minute dance, I was guided with vivid descriptions to move according to the representations of each chakra. For example, David painted a warrior-like scenario for the base chakra, which is about survival. He invoked my sensual side for the sacral chakra, which represents sexuality.

At first, I was self-conscious to be dancing in a roomful of strangers. But after a while, I simply focused on David’s soothing voice and the hypnotic music, which is a fusion of uplifting melodies, thumping techno and tribal sounds. I was soon breaking out into my best club moves. I flailed my arms, twirled around and jumped energetically, finding creative movements to mirror each chakra.

I sneaked peeks at the other participants and saw a surreal room of shadowy figures moving trance like to their own beat.

After dancing through all seven chakras, the session ended with a closing meditation and everyone in the class shared their feelings about the session. One lady was so moved during the heart chakra that she cried. Nothing as dramatic for me, but I felt rejuvenated. After all, how often do you get three hours alone to dance up a storm?

Dress code
Comfortable clothes so that you can move freely around.
No shoes required.
Skills needed
None, even if you have two left feet, you’d still be able to get a good workout.

The Payoff
More than just a workout, CHAKRADANCE™ seeks to awaken your mind, body and spirit. The combination of pulsating music and free, expressive body movements lets you express yourself. Your legs and arms get a good workout when you dance.

Where to learn
Classes are conducted as La Vida Loft, 4-02, 28 Maxwell Road. It costs $80 for a three-hour session and $60 for a two-hour class. The next round of classes start in June. Email David at david@chakradance.com or call him at 8163-3600 for advance bookings. You can also check www.lavidaloft.com for updates on the schedule.

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