Jose ATID LEIIA STEVENS 201The many forms of shamanic dance range from group-
oriented methodical movements to wild spontaneous gyra-
tions spun from deeply personal ecstatic experiences. Often
the more spontaneous movements emerge after a series of
formal or traditional dance steps have set the atmosphere for
a shamanic trance state.
We suggest that you start out learning to dance privately
or solo. Then, if you wish, you can include other people. The
dances recommended here have no set steps or routines.
They are simple and require no expertise in dancing whatso-
ever. In shamanic dance it does not matter how you look, it's
how you feel that counts. It helps to be physically fit how-
ever, or you will get winded quickly.Dance Ritual #1: The Preparation Dance
Set up a private environment where you will not be inter-
rupted. Clear out an area where you can move without
bumping into things. It helps if the room is semi-dark. You
may wish to cleanse it with sage first or invoke the six direc-
tions.
To the sound of your own small hand-held drum or rattle
(or tape recording), begin to make simple movements up and
down as you may have seen in some African dances. You do
not have to go anywhere. This is something like jogging in
place. It helps if you can drum or rattle loudly.
With your eyes half-closed, concentrate on the sound of
the drum or rattle. While keeping a small amount of atten-
tion on maintaining your position without bumping into any-
thing, mentally travel to a natural place where you have
always felt powerful. This could be a seashore, a forest, a
meadow, a mountain ridge, a desert, a cave, or anywhere
you have felt your spirit free and empowered.
Continue to move this way for as long as you like, but not
for less than five minutes. Shamans do this for hours at a
time, but they are physically fit and capable of incredible
endurance. You need not follow their example, although in
time you certainly should increase your own endurance to
dance for fifteen minutes or so.
Signal the end of your drumming with three strong beats
and rest for five minutes or so. Then, if you wish, embark on
a shamanic journey, focusing on anything you want. You will
be surprised how helpful the dancing is prior to your journey
work.
The benefit of this dance is that it helps you develop the
ability to keep one foot in the world of ordinary reality and
the other in the spirit world at the same moment. The dance