Sacred Circle Dance Troupe
The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life is proud to sponsor the Mount Holyoke College Sacred Circle Dance Troupe under the direction of Ellen Kennedy, Sacred Circle Dance Facilitator.
Come Dance with Us!!
The Troupe has been active on campus for five years and springs from a grass roots movement of spreading new and traditional dances around the world. The troupe has led circle dance in a variety of campus events including The Festival of Many Faiths, Blessing and Sending of Seniors, Pangy Day, No Study Zone and community dances. Students gather to dance and celebrate the freedom and joy of life through movement. Each dance is taught, no experience required.
Sacred Circle Dance is a worldwide movement originating from the work of Professor Bernard Wosien, a German ballet Master Teacher who brought his repertoire of village dances to The Findhorn Foundation in Scotland in 1976. From this initial group, Sacred Circle Dance has spread to over 30 countries. Dances are passed on, reproduced, modified and newly created drawing from traditional steps and patterns. The Sacred Circle Dance Troupe at Mount Holyoke College was founded by Ellen Kennedy, where she teaches students the traditional and not-so-traditional dances. She was trained and certified at The Findhorn Foundation in Scotland.
Sacred Circle Dance offers many things to the students of Mount Holyoke College. The dancing originally provided a way to find healing and relaxation, it can also be a deeply spiritual experience for some. The dances hold intention and provide a meaningful sense of community as members hold hands and move together as a group. As the dance continues, the energy of the dancers build fueling the intention set at the beginning of the dancing. It is a great way to release energy, feel good, get your blood moving, and bond with your fellow dancers as we carry on this tradition. In every culture dancing holds a speical importance. People dance for joy, for love, in compassion and caring. Come join the Sacred Circle Dance Troupe and experience the healing and love of the group.
For more information contact student leaders:
Stephanie Showalter or Anna Smith
More Information on Sacred Circle Dancing
The Application
Sacred Circle Dance differs from folk dance through the sacred intention that is held for each dance. In circles, lines and spirals we join hands to learn simple village dances to music from around the world. Through our dancing energy is activated. We consciously intend this energy to heal ourselves, one another our planet earth and the people, places and situations throughout the world in need of healing grace. Each dance offers its individual blessing and we open to receive it. It is believed that the impulse to dance is encoded in our DNA. When we dance in Sacred Circles the encoded message is activated, we remember.