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Dance your dream and find your inner happiness

Nina London with Svetlana Lazikova, dancing the dreams in Tao Garden(Photograph by Bill Rosser)

In this very difficult time for every person in the world, I would like to share with you, my dear readers, a lovely, positive and inspirational story of how 12 women danced their dreams.While we were living amid the magic of Tao Garden in Thailand this winter, I met Svetlana, a young Russian beauty with a blonde, two-year-old boy, Yan, as radiant as the sun. She is a woman’s life coach like myself. Our friendship was instantaneous, like mixing two chemicals and creating a potent brew. We become close in a matter of days. We went to classes together and learnt how to channel our inner chi, or life energy, through the Tao system. We became so inspired we conducted live broadcasts about it to Russian women all around the world. The two of us laughed and shared our dreams. In our last month together, Svetlana and I danced a lot. We interpreted ancient African ritual dances which mirrored tribal women planting seeds and working in the fields. We felt that our new-found energy, or chi, fuelled by the Tao exercises, demanded a way out. Through the graceful movement of dance we wove our inner energy into a joyful story.On a sunny morning with the exotic birds of Asia calling high in the massive cathedral of trees, we felt a powerful wave of inspiration wash through us. We looked at each other and smiled. We described to each other a vision we both could see and feel: Dance Your Dream. We would create a course for women to dance their inner dreams. Why not dance our dreams, expressing our most cherished desires through movement and rhythm? Instead of merely thinking, we would feel our dreams and give them life through the exhilaration and joy of dance — by letting the energy of our dreams flow through us and reveal the hidden beauty all women carry in their souls.First, we created a special dance. Svetlana and I brought two ancient, red lacquered Chinese drums out into the meadow at Tao Garden. We pounded a powerful rhythm and danced in the morning light. Then, we continued with a recording of the beat and let ourselves free the inner vision we each carried in our hearts. There was the spontaneous flow of improvisation amid sparkles of passion as we shaped our dances, or perhaps it is more correct to say, our dances shaped us. To tell our inner story and to set it free into the crisp morning air through dancing was a happiness both deep and profound.Both of us realised through dance that we free ourselves from fear, and fear is what prevents us from fulfilling our dreams.We created a one-week online course in just two days. We wanted our women to find their inner girl, the one who wants to dance and love and laugh, the playful girl who enjoys life.I must admit that when starting this course we did not imagine that the women who participated would experience such incredible changes in their lives; that dance could rekindle their love of life, that they would experience so much joy that they made profound changes in their lifestyles that go far beyond what we ever imagined.For many, it sparked an understanding that their dreams can come true, and that it all depends on them. It was exciting to watch this transformation; at times I had goosebumps, often tears.Here are some words from a few of our dream dancers:Natalia: “I have known for a long time that I needed to change something in my monotonous life. Before, I lived a routine; I went to work, returned from work and was simply tired. It seemed to me that this would be my life for ever.After my first dance, I had a sudden and powerful surge of energy, eccentric feelings, strong emotions, a little bit of confusion, and an influx of new thoughts. At first, I even wanted to go back to my “quiet swamp” as I called my life, so that everything would be as it was before. Then I realised that no, I didn’t want to! I hadn’t moved forward or developed myself for years. Now I have a feeling that I can actually change! I will dance every day and let this energy guide me to a new life!Elena: “I am charged with incredible energy. I don’t recognise myself at work; now everything is interesting to me! I came to work and, for the first time, looked out the window. I noticed how special the world is! I remembered my dream to take pictures and I decided to go buy a camera!Olga: “Yesterday was a very important day for me. I realised that I want to be beautiful and sexy, both at home and everywhere else. Because I work from home, I stopped dressing nicely. My husband and three daughters only saw me wearing baggy and comfy clothes. I decided to change that and put on a nice dress and make-up. All my life I wanted to learn how to dance the bachata. Now I know for sure that I will learn how to dance it with my husband ... Ahh, I’m so happy!”Happy! This is the feeling we all need to experience. Happy to be alive! Go out into the sun and dance by the turquoise ocean! • Nina London is a certified wellness and weight-management coach. Her mission is to support and inspire mature women to make positive changes in their body and mind. Share your inspirational stories with her at www.ninalondon.com