The sacred circular dance, or circle dance, is a practice that brings together various types of traditional or folkloric dances from different parts of the globe. It has a very curious history, as we will see below.
Bernhard Wosien was a dancer and choreographer, born in 1908 and died in 1986, who had the interest in traveling the world to see the various manifestations of traditional dances, in local distinct. Already in his sixties, Wosien was visiting a village in Scotland, specifically Findhorn, when he was asked to present a collection of the dances he had learned during his contract. It was at that moment that, when teaching dance, he understood that he had already found what he was looking for: a dance capable of truly expressing his feelings. This dance, then, was called sacred circle dance.
The term "sacred", used as an adjective for dance, has the function of qualifying it according to its objectives: it intends to be a dance capable of bringing out respect for others, affection for oneself and for the other, and improved self-esteem, as it is danced in group. When encompassed by the mystical-religious universe of the New Age movement, circular dances focus on the notion of “energy”, since believes that the wheel, formed by the hands held by practitioners, are capable of circulating good energy, and may even be healing.
In Brazil, sacred circular dances entered the 1980s through Carlos Solano, who was a visitor to the Findhorn Foundation. Solano is considered the first Brazilian instructor of this type of dance, as he was the first Brazilian to take the complete course in circular dances with Anna Barton, another icon in this category of dance. After him, many other people became involved with circular dances in Brazil.
According to the website “Danças Circulares – RJ”, the benefits of dancing can be described as follows:
“- bring lightness, joy, beauty, serenity and well-being;
- provide group work, without the person losing their individuality;
- shows the difference between people;
- develop mutual support, integration, communion and cooperation;
- they are gentle instruments of self-knowledge and self-healing;
- harmonize the group before and after practicing their daily tasks;
- bring musicality and rhythm to daily life;
- balance the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual body;
- increase perception, concentration and attention;
- encourage people to take their place and space;
- bring flexibility and self-confidence to life;
- help fight stress and depression.”
To know more:
Circular Dances RJ. available in www.dancascircularesrj.com.br
By Paula Rondinelli
Brazil School Collaborator
Graduated in Physical Education from the São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP
Master in Motricity Sciences from the São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP
Doctoral Student in Integration of Latin America at the University of São Paulo - USP
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/educacao-fisica/dancas-circulares-sagradas.htm