Dance and music are the earliest forms of trauma therapy. They are as effective with groups of people as with individuals. Long before there were psychologists or trauma therapists, communities supported one another through upheavals such as famine, war or plague. They used music and dance.

Music soothes the nervous system and restores complex communication pathways in the brain. Dancing boosts the body-mind connection, bringing the attention into the present moment. Moving cohesively to rhythmic music fosters confidence while embodying and releasing a range of emotions.

When dancing with others the group becomes a ‘container’ of safety and co-regulation. The result is release and integration.

Contact Stefan via this website if you wish to be informed, involved or to donate.

There are now dates booked for the realisation of this course during March and April 2023. Please download information sheet below:

NIGHTINGALE

by Stefan Freedman 12th March 2022 

Moonlight brings the nightingale
Sweet song in the darkest hour
Sing dear heart, sing through the night

Moonlight holds the pain and fear
Sweet chords for a wakeful tear
Beat dear heart, beat through the night

 May you hear the nightingale
May you hold an orphan child
Weep dear heart, weep through the night 

Baby will spread angel wings
Rise free as a nightingale
Fly dear heart, fly through the night

Grow peace in the heart of men
Sing now, never fight again
Sing dear hearts, sing through the night

Hope comes with the nightingale
Sweet song in the darkest hour
Peace, dear heart, peace through the night

Hope comes with the nightingale
Sweet song in the darkest hour
Peace in Ukraine once again.

Watch video of the poem set to music with original artwork:
​youtu.be/njeliEoVchI

Stefan joins a dynamic and diverse panel for a roundtable discussion on what it means to heal trauma through dance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqwvn_OOU24

In Episode 4 of The Universal Dancer Podcast Stefan Freedman, Author of "Dance Wise", speaks about the internal invisible dance we experience when we hear music.

Click here to view the full episode on YouTube.

Here's a reminder of Stefan's atmospheric video Malka. You can also download the larger format steps and read Stefan's additional notes for teachers:

​This dance can be deeply moving and creates empathy with refugee children.

​It's a 'project' for the teacher in that the steps are only medium difficulty - but keeping the rhythm is the challenge and the group need a leader who is well-practiced.
Once or twice the music is dreamy, cloudy, and holding the beat steady is like an act of faith.

Part A:  The Journey - travel isn't straightforward and requires changes of direction
Part B: Sometimes there are setbacks (represented by steps backwards) and progress is almost impossible
Part C: Sometimes it's necessary to hide in plain sight, trying to blend in without being noticed.

Stefan was recently interviewed by BBC Suffolk Radio's Jon Wright. Mentioning the launch of 'Dance Wise' the dialogue covered dance, music and wellbeing.

Listen here.

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 4 Lockdown Problems & Solutions
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Musings by Stefan Freedman.

1. HOME LIKE A GARBAGE DUMP
<> First you felt unwell. This left you feeling exhausted. Then there was so much mess you couldn't face it and said 'Bugger it!' Anyway it;s the government's bloody fault, so let THEM clear it all up! 
<> Well it's a luxury to not have to clear up. Nobody coming round, so why even get dressed?! But when it's not fun any more, like the morning after the party when the place looks trashed and sad, there's your motivation. 
<> Here's the plan. Take one small area. A corner of a room or a work surface. You are not 'clearing up' but CREATING a new look. Attractive, spacious, well organised. 
<> Make each area a small project - a work or art - and there's no need to attack it all in one day. The pleasure of seeing a new home emerging will spur you on.

2. COMFORT EATING (or drinking)
<> Be curious about what is niggling - why you want comforting. Take a few moments to notice the underlying feelings. Feeling lost? Lonely? Frustrated? Resentful? Pissed off?!
<> Hope you know that these are healthy normal responses. They arise when things change beyond our control, especially if there is fear and constraint. So, no need for self-blame or any shame. Comfort eating/drinking is quite a sensible response for a short term crisis! But it's not sustainable over time. 
<> A realistic solution is to meet more emotional needs. What would be the first step? If you're not sure, think of one or two people you could talk this over with (online/phone) to identify a starting point. 
<> Sometimes taking a caring interest in someone else has a 2-way benefit and YOU will end up feeling a warm glow.

3. POINTLESSNESS (or despair)
<> Does it feel strange not having a daily role, or a time structure? Do you sometimes wonder, 'What's the point?' - 'What use am I?' You want things to go back to normal but there's no knowing if or when that will be. It feels like being in prison. But everyone else is also in prison, so there are no visitors! What now?
<> The issues here are wanting a sense of purpose, wanting a structure to your days, and wanting friendship, love and community life. These are vital building blocks for our human identities. What is the most essential to you of the things you long for?
<> With house-clearing I suggested looking at one corner of one room and making a start. Same with building a structure and new purpose in a locked-down world. Identify just ONE of the things that has meaning for you. Music, science, nature, novels, psychology, peace, talking openly? Look online for a group you like who communicate about that subject.
<> You might initially get involved simply by reading what others post, then by joining a discussion. If you like being active you could support or start a discussion, a fundraiser, a project ... in other words find a point of connection with people who share your passion. When you have made your first connection you have 'broken the spell'. That feeling of numb paralysis will leave you and you can get as involved as you wish to.

4. FEAR (panic/confusion/sleeplessness)
<> Most likely the news contributes to this. Who in their right mind would NOT feel deep chronic anxiety?! A plague we can't control, predict or even agree on about the facts. Environmental problems which desperately need addressing - but no international concerted effort. Major powers with bully-boy leaders with as much empathy as a crocodile. It's only natural to feel concerned.
<> And yet we don't help anyone if we go into overwhelm, lose sleep and become ill. A part of the 'dance' is finding a way to live with crisis and uncertainty. To rebalance. Not only to live but to relish life and thrive. Why waste it? This is a big topic, so just a few starter suggestions:

a - OASIS:
'The News' goes over and over the same ground. Meanwhile there are wonderful human initiatives happening everywhere all the time which mostly go unreported. Whatever makes your heart sing, find the positive news in that area of life. It's just as real and just as important. If you're addicted to the national news, I suggest having an 'oasis' and checking it out maximum once a day, so that news of the rest of life can filter through. 

b - INNER LIFE:
There is an alternative Universe just as physical and real, which is inside you. It's a miraculous realm equipped with imagination (travel anywhere), emotions (a symphony of feelings), understanding (complex, subtle, interconnected) and mysteries still to be explored. Usually we are too busy to really inhabit our other Universe but you have a chance now to go exploring, either solo, through meditation, books or in discussion with others online. Take a small exploratory trip within and you could be happily surprised.

c - BODY WISDOM:
The body has a mind of its own, which is in direct communication with your glands, circulation, lymph system and brain chemistry. When the body stretches, breathes deeply, sways, dances or does any movement, the entire system feels better. There is flow instead of stagnation. adrenaline decreases, fear is discharged and positive endorphins create a feelgood sensation. This boosts health and aids sleep. Just walking is a therapy. Dancing is dynamite!

​d - H.P:
Scientists agree that whether we look at the microcosm or the vast Universe beyond, we are looking at an incredibly coherent system. There is now a growing research-based belief that the essential building block from which all of creation emanates is not 'matter' (which is hardly there at all when you look closely) but 'consciousness'. If things are incredibly complex and coherent, how much more amazing is the realm of conscious awareness? 
So whether we think in terms of an implicit order (congruence) or a Unifying Force, Source, Higher Power (HP) or God, these are just words pointing to an experience greater than we can name or fathom. When times are tough, that's sometimes when people report finding their connection with HP (by whatever name). We don't have to do this 'alone' when we notice that our separate personalities are simultaneously linked - like Quantum waves - with every other manifestation of life.
Hope these musings are interesting. Please respond or add your own.
X
Stefan

​Dance Wise
​We are happy to announce the birth of a ground-breaking dance book. We hope that this is the ‘missing link’ – the credible story and scientific description you have been waiting for.
See www.dancewise.net for updates and book reviews.

​Stefan's poetry has a streak of humor and mischief. Within the play of words and imagery, there are insights, human foibles, and universal themes.

We hope you enjoyed dancing with us over the last few weeks. You can continue to do so when you access the Heartstrings library to revisit your favourite videos.
For details of additional dances on video please contact Stefan on stefanandbethan@gmail.com.

Here's a lovely video coutesy of Rosenara Silva from an event in 2016:

​We are happy to announce the latest dance DVD. Half of the dances are recent choreographies. Several have meaningful lyrics in English. The range is from 'epic' through sizzling to serene.

Ravishing dances: new gems + familiar favourites, with music + festivity.
Spacious wooden-floored hall opening onto  fields.                               Sunday 22nd Sept 2019
Hassocks near Brighton
​Book with Kath: kathrynpenny1@gmail.com

Celebrating the global circle dance linkup at Ross-on-Wye with Bethan's dance, Tread Gently: If you click on the photo you MAY (I hope) access the video taken by Pat Adams. X

UK doctors can now prescribe dance instead of anti-depressant pills. Teachers & enthusiasts, let's put together a brief fact-based statement about circle dance. 
It requires no partner and no special aptitude. Suits people of all ages and body types - and has a calm, mindful dimension to balance the excitement. A perfect fit for doctors and patients of all ages.

Some beautiful images of our week in L'Hameau de l'Etoile near Montpellier in Southern France.
​We'll be back there again 1st - 8th September 2020.

‘Malka’ is a song, a circle dance and a short film, created by Stefan, and dedicated to refugee children worldwide.
The poignant film was produced in collaboration with artist Lois Cordelia and film editor Tony Mounter (a fellow dance teacher) and has been used successfully in fundraising events.
Malka has just had her first vodka (hic!) having been selected for a film festival in Moscow. Other film festival showings have been in Germany, Greece, India, Israel (Nazareth), Romania, UK (London) and USA (Woodstock, Washington and Delaware). Where next?!
​Malka recently won a commendation + Best Music Award at Kolkata Shorts Film Festival: Calcutta.

Below you can click on the link to download a file of the Malka music.

And here the circle dance and its choreography notes.