I've talked before about how much I learn from flamenco. And I don't mean how much I learn about flamenco. Naturally I learn a lot about flamenco. But I'm talking about other things. Like trust for instance.
Trust
I have some issues when it comes to following my intuition.
I want to hear it. I want to trust it. I want to act on it.
If only it were that easy.
Fortunately flamenco has a lot to tell me about that.
Bulerías especially. Because with bulerías there are certain things I need to do. And as it turns out, these things also assist me in learning to go with my gut...
Four steps to following my intuition that I learned from flamenco:
1. Be there completely
Focus and attune to what is happening with the palmas, guitar, cante, jaleos. Be there, truly be there.
Be Present
2. Listen a lot
To the compás. To the guitar. To the palmas. To the cante. When I'm dancing and when I'm not. Listen and really get to know it. Then let go of thinking, and...
Listen
3. Allow what needs to happen to happen
I must let myself feel the music. And let myself feel whatever I'm feeling.
Allow
4. Respond to what is happening
Respond to what I hear a way that feels good to me. Follow the music. Respond to the signals I pick up on. When the singer resolves, let my body reflect that.
Act
Flamenco requires trust.
If I don't trust while dancing, well, then, I’m only kind of sort of doing it. I still find myself there often. But, it's okay. Because each time I do and notice and reflect on it, and
I learn something about myself.
Stay tuned for part two where I talk more about how flamenco strengthens my trust muscle.
Tell me what you think
What lessons have you learned from flamenco? What has flamenco taught you about trust? How do you incorporate trust into flamenco? Into bulerías in particular? Leave a comment below.
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This was originally posted here.