Eva Baldi
Quyon June 30, 2021
The warm weather and the cool breeze off the river made for a perfect day as Diane Schreiner led her first circle dancing class of the summer.
Circle dancing is an ancient eastern European tradition. Stone tablets depicting people dancing in chain formation suggest that this tradition has been present since at least the 12th century. The dances are intended to allow people to energetically align themselves with the earth and their fellow dancers.
Circle dancing is described by Schreiner as a form of healing therapy. An object is placed in the centre of the circle to allow dancers to guage their distance from one another and keep the circle a consistant size. The dances involve peaceful synchronized movements to music.
While holding silk scarves the dancers moved around in circle formation with their right hands to the sky and their left hands to the earth creating a meditative connection between themselves, the earth, the sky, and the other dancers, grounding themselves as they dance, and holding silence between dances.
Schreiner has studied circle dancing in many countries around the world, making many long-lasting friendships. World Circle Dance day is July 11, and Schreiner hopes to participate with her new group.
The classes are organized in partnership with the Quyon Family Centre which allows for the classes to be done inside the newly renovated community centre if the weather does not allow for outdoor participation. More information available on the Quyon Family Centre Facebook page.
