From a very early age I've been fascinated with magic.  Initially I used to read widely.  I was always looking for something.  At first it was like a carrot that was dangled in front of me, I had great joy in intellectual stimulation, but it left a feeling of wanting more.

After a while I realized healing was a fundamental part of magic. I started to explore psychotherapy and my emotional expression. I began to realize that I tricked myself by thinking and talking about things instead of doing.

My big transformation came when met a Shamanic practitioner who taught me about being body centered.  For so many years I had been trapped in my head, at last I could be in my body.

I came across the 5rhythms in 1989, initially because I liked the sound of the drums in chaos.  Very soon I shifted all my attention into body based practices.  For so long I had wanted complex answers to stimulate my ego.  Now I was able to trust simple body based wisdom.

Around 1993 I created a form of dance called Astrodance, it combined all of the things I was passionate about - free dance, Astrology and Shamanism.  I learned on my feet, teaching in Dance Camp Wales and other places.

In 2004 I started the 5 Rhythms training.  When I started teaching astrodance I was alone, but with the 5 rhythms I had a tremendous support network.  The training was wonderful, free from needless headstuff and over-analysis, it focused on the most important thing - the dance and my relationship to it.

As a teacher, I've learnt to be simple and allow things to happen rather than forcing things. There seems to be a magical guiding force that helps me choose appropriate music and run workshops. I plan to a necessary level, and teach as much as possible from my own inherent spontanaety.

When we dance we need to accept all of ourself for what we are. If we have uncomfortable feelings they can be put into movement which helps us be present with ourselves.  All energies can be represented in movement, even the most difficult ones.  Instead of acting out our rage in a detrimental way we can give it movement, this transforms it into art.

At present my work is focused on the physical movement practice of the 5 Rhythms.  The form this takes is a wave, a sequence of rhythms which are Flowing, Staccatto, Chaos, Lyrical, and Stillness.

Each wave is always different, many are very joyful, helping us to realize the euphoria that is there for us all to experience.  Others are more challenging, allowing us to face feelings that are uncomfortable in a non intellectual way. 

The reasons for coming to a class are myriad - some people come for the physical exercise, some for the personal development, some for the social interaction, and others come just for the simplicity of moving. There doesn't have to be any theory and it is always accessible to beginners.  Many people say that the air of non-judgement is refreshing in comparison to their previous dance experiences at night clubs and raves.

People from all walks of life come to dance in equality with everyone else, from the young to the elderly.  There is no particular religious association so many different backgrounds meet.

Drinking alcohol and taking drugs is not apart of this practice, the focus is on being in the here and now, not somewhere else. There is a natural high that can come from dancing, so its a great way to get youngsters (and everyone else ) to live healthier lives and still have the thrill, dare and adventure they need to experience.  The edges and boundaries of interpersonal relationships when danced, provide us with more challenge than we can imagine.

If you are curious about this dance practice, contact me via this website.  It may be a decision that changes you your life!  Come along to a few drop-in sessions or a day of dance - there are many happening here in Wales.