Main menu

dance-of-shiva-movements.html

Dance of Shiva Movement Lessons

Forward Movements with Hand Horizontal

On page cat links

Dance of Shiva, Neil Keleher, front view, movement from 22 to 33

Now that you've learned the basic Dance of Shiva positions, you can next learn the basic dance of shiva movements.

I'm going to teach the movements using both arms at the same time. However, you can always break them down and do them one arm at a time.

Cyclic Dance of Shiva Movements

The first four Dance of Shiva movement pairs are all cyclic. You could think of them like the four seasons. When repeated each of these movements "cycles" the arms through four different positions.

Before I go further, I'll define a Dance of Shiva movement.

The most basic of movements is the Forward-Forward movement. (If only using one arm then it is simply the Forward movement.)

Repeat this movement four times and it takes you through four different positions.

For the Forward-Forward Dance of Shiva movements there are two series.

Forward Forward Dance of Shiva Movements, Series 1

Stand with your hands by your sides.

the dance of shiva

1-1 to 2-2

The first Dance of Shiva F-F movement joins 1-1 to 2-2.

Start by moving the hands to position 1-1 (as learned in the position practice.)

Keep your palms facing upwards.

Finish with your elbows pointing outwards. The hands end up in position 2-2, fingers pointing inwards.

Dance of Shiva, Neil Keleher, front view, movement from 11 to 22
Dance of Shiva, Neil Keleher, front view, movement from 11 to 22

Repeat this a few times while focusing on feeling your shoulders, then elbows then wrists and hands.

Keep your ribcage open.

2-2 to 3-3

The next Dance of Shiva F-F movement joins position 2-2 to 3-3.

From the resting position move your hands to position 2-2.

Keep your palms facing upwards.

Optionally you can straighten your elbows in position 3-3. But keep your palms facing upwards and your fingers pointing outwards.

(For more on the muscle control required for this Dance of Shiva movement, read about the pectoralis minor.)

Dance of Shiva, Neil Keleher, front view, movement from 22 to 33
Dance of Shiva, Neil Keleher, front view, movement from 22 to 33

Relax and then repeat.

2-2 to Modified 3-3

In the modified dance of shiva 3-3 position, the elbows are straight. This can affect how you move from 2-2 to 3-3.

The steps for moving from 2-2 to modifiend 3-3 are:

Move shoulders forwards

Rotate forearms so that fingers point backwards.

Dance of Shiva, Neil Keleher, front view, movement from 22 to modified dance of shiva position 33
Dance of Shiva, Neil Keleher, front view, movement from 22 to modified dance of shiva position 33

3-3 to 4-4

For the Dance of Shiva movement from 3-3 to 4-4, it is very difficult to keep your palms facing upwards. So I'm going to suggest a slightly improvised move. Rather than trying to keep your palms facing upwards, you can allow your palms to face slightly outwards and upwards for most of this movement.

From position 3-3 gradually straighten your wrists and turn your forearms so that your palms face slightly backwards. As you swing your arms forwards and upwards your palms will face outwards and slightly upwards.

Point your elbows out to the sides as you arrive in position 4-4.

Dance of Shiva, Neil Keleher, front view, movement from 22 to modified dance of shiva position 33
Dance of Shiva, Neil Keleher, front view, movement from 33 to 44

Rest and then repeat.

4-4 to 1-1

The Dance of Shiva movement from 4-4 to 1-1 is relatively simple.

Keep your palms facing upwards as you do so.

Dance of Shiva, Neil Keleher, front view, movement from 44 to 11
Dance of Shiva, Neil Keleher, front view, movement from 44 to 11

Practice these shivanata movements individually to begin with.

Then add the movements together; first in pairs, then triples, then practice them as a series starting from each position in turn.

Published: 2012 07 20
Updated: 2023 04 02
Clearly defined poses, exercises and stretches for improving stability, body awareness and flexibility.
Main menu

Return to TOP of Page