Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance Awakening Spirituality Through Movement & Ritual by Iris J. Stewart   Paperback 246 pages (July 1, 2000) Inner Traditions Intl Ltd ISBN: 0892816058 Bookshelf Categories Women's Spirituality Creativity

Synopsis:

Shows how dance, the highest expression of spirituality in cultures and traditions all over the world, is being integrated into the lives of women today.

* The first book to explore women's spiritual expression--women's * ways--through a study of dance * Investigates how dance came to be excluded from worship, and reveals * how dance is once again being brought into spiritual practices.

* Includes resources for further instruction in sacred dance.

Today we primarily think of dance as a form of entertainment or as a way to exercise or socialize. There was a time, however, when dance was considered the way to commune with the divine, a part of life's journey, celebrating the seasons and rhythms of the year and the rhythms of our lives. Dance is a language that reunites the body, mind, and soul. While the role of women's sacred dance was most valued in goddess-worshipping cultures where women served as priestesses and healers, dance was once an integral part of religious ritual and ceremonial expression in cultures all over the world, including Judaism and Christianity. In this book the author investigates how dance came to be excluded from worship and reveals how dance is once again being integrated into spiritual practices.

Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance is the first book to explore women's spiritual expression--women's ways--through a study of dance. It describes sacred circles, birth rituals, ecstatic dances, and dances of loss and grief (in groups and individually) that allow women to integrate the movements of faith, healing, and power into their daily life.

Reviews:

Sacred Women,Sacred Dance:Awakening Spirituality.....	1/31/2001
Reviewer: Dona from Eugene,Oregon...USA
I found this wonderful book while taking up the dance after a 25 year period of no dance in my life. It is like an instruction manual for awakening movement. Each chapter has an activity at the end that seems to break down old inhibitions and moldy ideas that crept in during the years I sacrificed for my family.The author and other individuals who contributed to the writing of this wonderful work gently encouraged me. As a practicing Buddhist,I found the Dance of The Twentyone Tara's very inspiring. I have contacted the creator of that dance and she returned contact with me. It is a living link between ancient times and tangeble resources available today!Happy Dancing one and all.

A Wonderful History of Women, Dance, and Spirituality	1/22/2001
Reviewer: Sahar from San Francisco, CA USA
What a beautiful compilation! As an academic, I was very pleased with the author's thorough examination of the history of women and dance. It was enlightening -- filled with numerous facts, perspectives, and accounts that I had not come across anywhere else. And the photos/pictures!! This book tells a beautiful story through images and words. Highly recommended.

A great History of Women and Dance	1/17/2001
Reviewer: A reader from Cardiff by the Sea, CA United States
Iris Stewart has done a fine job of illustrating the history of women and sacred dance from paleolithic to modern cultures. The book is a visual delight because of its many photographs and drawings. Ms. Stewart has portrayed forms of ritual, liturgical dance, belly dancing, the Dances of Universal Peace and other modern forms of sacred movement. I have been involved with sacred dance for over 30 years and I found this book to be very informative. I also appreciated the exercises that are given throughout the book to encourage the reader to experience some form of sacred body movement.

Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance: Awakening Spirituality	9/20/2000
Reviewer: Marcia from EL Cerrito, California USA
This book is a gem for anyone interested in Sacred Dance for Women. It delves into the history, types, costumes, ritual, current and ancient traditions of dance. As a Beginner to Sacred Dance, I found this book easy to understand, full of hte "basic movements," plus rich with well researched information that dispells some myths about dance. For example, belly dance was not really a dance of enticement, but a birthing dance used by women having a baby. The photos clearly invite one to a feast of dance. I found this book very inspiring to a Beginner like me to realize that dance really is such a rich and ancient tradition of natural movements for a women. Through the various movements of the body, a woman can delve deeper into her own healing process and spirituality in a natural and honorable way. Sacred Dance is a wonderful and ancient form of a spiritual path which this books gives a wonderful overview. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in the Dance tradition with a spiritual twist yet not too technical. The modern resources in the back of the book do not leave one stranded but wanting to follow-up and go search out places to go dance!

About the Author:

Iris J. Stewart has taught dance and lectured on women's subjects for over 20 years. She is the founder of WomanDance, a troupe which performs interpretive dances that explore women's spirituality. To research this book, Stewart visited archaeological sites throughout Europe, the Middle East, and South America. She lives in northern California.