DANCE and traditional healing go back to the beginning of time and are still used in many cultures, Dancing Dheva’s Theva Indrasenan says.

In Buddhism Deva refers to non-humans who are more powerful, longer-lived and generally much happier than humans, but are not deities.

It was going through “a time of trouble and internal struggle” five years ago that led Mr Indrasenan to discover the recuperative power of dance.
“[It] brought me to my Deva, to a higher way of being, I became clear and focused, determined, in tune with my truth,” the shiatsu masseur and yoga teacher says.

Dancing Dhevas isn’t linked to religion, but does have a spiritual element to it: “[But] when running the dances I don’t connect to the spiritual, but bring in science.”

Increasingly demanding lifestyles are at the root of many problems that can manifest as ill-health, Mr Indrasenan says: “The way we live a lot of people are stuck, and stagnant in the body. Movement starts to clear emotions.”

A guided warm up, usually to classical music, kicks things off: “The music builds up and I stop facilitating and let the music do the talking.”

Dancers can find themselves moving to African drums, a gypsy polka or Irish jig.
“Riding the wave of music we dance to free ourselves of tension, and habits, finding new ways to move and express, giving us insight into what restricts us in daily life.

“Some workshops…have two session over 2–3 hours…[which] takes you to a deeper place,” Mr Indrasenan says.

Dancing Dhevas is at North Fremantle Community Hall every second Saturday 7–9pm – $25 waged, $20 low-income earners, $15 concession.

by JENNY D’ANGER