What is the Tao?
‘Tao’ means the way, or path, the method of maintaining harmony between this world and the greater universe. Taoism is an ancient philosophy, which embodies the concepts of universal balance.
What is Qi?
Qi is the life-force energy. Qi is everywhere and in everything. It is the very force that keeps us alive, gives us initiative and drives and inspires us. It maintains our physical form and affects our mind and spirit.
Qi flows through the meridians in the body. The meridians run close to the surface of the skin as well as connecting with the organs. There are twelve main meridians and each of these is associated with and named after a specific organ. The function of Qi is to warm and enliven the body and provide energy to drive the metabolic functions of the body. Qi also protects the body from invasion of cold, heat, wind, bacteria and viruses.
We produce Qi through the intake of air, food and water. When Qi is flowing smoothly, health is maintained. When the flow of Qi is disrupted or blocked, imbalances can occur resulting in stress on the system that can then lead to disease.
What is Wu Tao Dance?
Wu Tao Dance is a set of choreographed movements performed to music that increases the flow of energy called Qi (Life force energy) through the meridians in the body. Similar to Tai Qi and yoga, Wu Tao differs in that it uses dance as the main method to bring balance to the body, mind and soul. It has its foundations in Oriental Medicine, and is a system of healing, with a holistic philosophy and practice, that restores balance to the person on all levels.
When Qi is flowing through the body without blockage there are a number of benefits. These include:
- Access to greater amounts of physical and mental energy
- Increased stamina, vitality and strength
- Feeling more balanced and even in emotional responses
- Increased muscle tone, strength and flexibility
- Improved brain to body connection
- Improved cognitive ability
- Increased relaxation
- Reduction in stress levels.
The more Wu Tao is danced, the more the energy is freed up and can flow easily through the body.
In Wu Tao visual images are used to aid in connecting a person to the specific qualities and energy of the dances. These images are directly related to the purpose of each movement. The focus when doing Wu Tao is very much on flow and not on thinking about the process. Thought processes generally pull a person out of the body and into the head, so thinking is best avoided when dancing! The dances enable a person to feel, express, transform and integrate emotions as they arise, and move one back into a natural connection with life energy.
The purpose in doing the Wu Tao dances is to be able to surrender fully into the life force – the vital energy that carries us through life on earth. Our minds give over to our bodies. Our bodies become fully conscious and infused with spirit, and together they become and recognize oneness with all life and the life force energy.
Founder
Michelle Locke is the creator and founder of Wu Tao Dance. Prior to developing Wu Tao, Michelle was a professional ballet dancer with the West Australian Ballet Company. A serious back injury led her on a journey of self-discovery through natural medicine.
Her deep passion for dance inspired her to turn her attention to combining the healing benefits of oriental medicine with dance and music. In 2000, Wu Tao was created after a long period of research and development. Since then, Wu Tao has spread internationally, with students and instructors around the world, enjoying the benefits of Wu Tao through classes, workshops, retreats and training programs.
Embodying the Five Elements in Wu Tao
There are five core dances in Wu Tao and each of these are aligned to the five elements in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
These elements are Metal (Air), Water, Wood, Fire and Earth. Each of these have a core role with the other elements in maintaining a harmonious and balanced relationship between them, in order to maintain good health and wellbeing.
Air Element
The Air element is governed by the Lung and Large Intestine meridians and is associated with the season of Autumn and the colour white. We keep ourselves balanced by releasing and letting go of what no longer serves us. As we breath in, we take in life and what we need, as we breathe out we let go of what we don’t need.
The Air element brings in lightness of spirit and mental clarity. It helps us to let go, release the past and complete things. It helps us to stay in the present. When dancing the Air dance in Wu Tao, it supports you to release and let go of the emotions associated with grief and sadness. The image is that of a bird flying high in the sky, being carried forward by the currents of the earth, or a tree in autumn losing its leaves.
Water Element
The Water element is governed by the Kidney and Bladder meridians and water is associated with the season of winter, colour dark blue or black and the emotion of fear. It is important to rest, build up the store of Qi, and nourish the kidney and bladder during this time. This element is the source of all life – holds our greatest potential; ability to make strategic and appropriate steps for our survival. Governs the bodies deepest structures and tissues including the bones, marrow, central nervous system, brain and spinal cord. It is the deepest source of Qi, qi that comes from our parents at conception. Controls reproduction, growth, fluids of the body.
This element is the basis for constitutional strength and controls energy. When dancing the Water dance in Wu Tao, the image is that of a tiny seed, laying at the bottom of the ocean, being rocked, to and fro by the water.
Wood Element
The Wood Element is governed by the Liver and Gall Bladder meridians and is associated with the season of Spring, colour green and the emotion of anger/frustration. The wood energy is dynamic, vital, moves upwards and out into the world. Controls the tendons and muscles in the body and is associated with the eyes and nails. This element is about the ability to move forward in life, giving us the energy to grow and express ourselves, to move outward into the world and to self-direct our path. When in balance, we have the energy to make plans, set goals, creatively vision and re-vision our lives. Releasing our dreams through our self-expression. The wood element shows us that the way to grow into what we are meant to be, is to express ourselves freely, flow easily with vitality, and be true to our Selves. In Wu Tao we use the image of a tree, dancing ourselves as the tree into Life.
Fire Element
The Fire element is governed by the Heart and Small Intestine meridians as well as the Triple Heater and Heart Constrictor meridians.
Associated with the season of Summer, colour red and the emotion of joy. The energy is vibrant, passionate and purifying. Houses the spirit (Shen). The Fire element helps you to release the burdens that way you down, and reminds you to be who you are – your True Self, and to develop healthy boundaries and clarity of mind.
When dancing the Fire dance, the image that is used is that of a fire – releasing unwanted substances on all levels from your body, as you brush them off the arms towards the fire.
Earth Element
The Earth element is governed by the Stomach and Spleen meridians. The Earth element is associated with stability, support and nourishment. It is the mother of all life. It is about manifesting, bringing forth the abundance of life energy in as many forms as possible. Everything you need is carried forward. The energy of the Earth is stillness – meditation calms the mind.
The Earth element relates to later summer and the colour orange/yellow. It is a time of harvest and stillness. We reap the rewards of the seeds we have sown in previous seasons, or give thanks for the things that life is gifting us with. The most important aspect of the Earth element is GRATITUDE. When you are in a state of gratitude the universe will provide you with what you have asked for. The image that is used in the Earth dance is that of a great river. The more we flow with the river, the more we will be connected to the Life force energy.