I love flying because I have the good fortune to meet incredible people on airplanes. On one recent trip in the friendly skies I met Sharon Mulcahy, a retired school teacher and dance therapist who works with breast cancer survivors and kids with cancer. She was on her way to North Carolina to spend time with a longtime friend. I was truly blessed to have her sit next to me and to share her life stories and lessons with me. It all was presented to me at just the right time in just the right way. Divine intervention? That is possible because in her early twenties, Sharon spent eight years as a Nun teaching in a convent.

In her role as a dance therapist, Sharon uses the Lebed Method to help cancer patients use movement to prevent lymphedema and neuropathy that often result after chemotherapy. (Watch this video on the Lebed Method). Sharon also shared with me how dance therapy can be helpful in releasing negative emotions associated with traumatic past events. Sometimes talk therapy can only get you so far. Movement and physically “acting out” in a safe environment can be a powerful way to cleans and heal past hurt and emotional injury.

But why am I afraid to move? Like Sharon, I also share a dance history and a love for movement. But as I have aged, I have become more serious and have found myself becoming physically and emotionally constricted. I don’t mean tight as in inflexible muscles, but a reluctance to express myself through dance and movement.

Would you join in or just watch from the sidelines?

Check out this flash mob dance produced by T-Mobile at the Liverpool Street Station in the UK. Now, doesn’t that look like fun? What would it take for you to join in, move your body and express yourself, no matter what it looks like?

Express yourself through movement

As a professional speaker and trainer, I try to challenge myself to add dance and movement to my keynote “performance.” This makes my presentations and seminars more engaging and entertaining. If done authentically, the movement can help bring my content to life and help my audience to remember the major themes and messages.

Whenever possible, I try to videotape my presentations. It’s an awesome feedback tool and often I get pieces that I can share and help to market my services and promote my brand. As I watch myself on video, I often see my own hesitation and constriction. You may not notice it, as I am quite expressive; but there is a lot of “talking head” going on when I speak and present. Sure, I have important and meaningful ideas to share with others, and sometimes that content is better delivered in a calm and composed manner.

My learning goal when I present is to move more, not less. To move with purpose and power. To express myself and convey my ideas fully through mind, body and spirit.

Dance as human expression

Why do we wait for weddings and formal parties to get out on the dance floor and dance? Why do we think of dance only in the concept of taking dance lessons?  Why do we associate dancing with children, girls in particular? Are we “too old” or “too stiff” to dance? Why do we move less as we age?

Significant dance truisms

Martha Graham (1894 – 1991), an American modern dancer and choreographer whose influence on dance has been compared with the influence Picasso had on modern visual art, is quoted as saying:

“I feel that the essence of dance is the expression of man; the landscape of his soul.”

My new friend Sharon Mulcahy whom I introduced above and was privileged to sit next to on an airplane ride from Hartford to Atlanta said this to me today when I called her on the phone:

“Dance is not limited to taking dance lessons. Dance is the expression of who you are. If you have that in your heart, you can get through whatever happens, good or bad, in your life’s journey.”

 Your Networking Goal for this Week

If you want to move your business or career in exciting new directions, I suggest that you start by moving your body first. Get your blood flowing and energize yourself through movement. Dancing is a lot like smiling; it’s contagious. It makes you feel good. It brings out the best in ourselves and others. This week, if you feel the music call to you or even in the joy of absolute silence, respond to it by dancing. Kick up your heels and dance for a few minutes every day this week. And when you network with someone this week,ask them this thought-provoking question” When was the last time you danced? How did it make you feel?”

Dance through the difficult times; dance through the good times.

Dance through it all.

Dance because you are alive.

About the dancer: Kathy McAfee is known as America’s Marketing Motivator and is author of the book Networking Ahead for Business.  In her role as Executive Presentation Coach and Professional Speaker, Kathy helps her clients to become the recognized leaders in their fields by mastering the art of high engagement presentations, more effective networking and personal marketing. Kathy is a board member of YWCA Hartford Region and an active member of Soroptimist International of the Americas. To learn more about Kathy, visit her web site MarketingMotivator.net.  If you like this tip and want to receive free networking tips on a weekly basis, please sign up at NetworkingAhead.com