BIODANZA-ZAMBIA, an introduction

Biodanza is an expressive form of dance born out of the desire to create a space where people could express their true potential, access joy and discover innate creativity. It is a fusion of art, science and love with music at the core connecting body and soul. The idea of music as a healing modality dates back to the writings of the ancient Greek philosophers. Today in the 21st century, Biodanza offers to the world this fusion of music, movement and emotion that will rock your world, if you let it!

The creator of the Biodanza system is Chilean born Rolando Toro. After the horrors of WWII he saw a need to offer to the world a different way of connecting to oneself, to others and to the universe. While a professor at The Center for Anthropological Medical Studies at the School of Medicine at the University of Chile, he became intent on humanizing medicine with the presupposition of health as a starting point and not neurosis, nor sickness. He worked jointly with Dr. Francisco Hoffman, Director of the Center and collaborated with Dr. Claudio Naranjo, a brilliant researcher in the field of psychotherapy. Toro (left in photo), a man of deep intellect, has based the structure of Biodanza on the sciences, human, biological and psychological.

What makes us happy? How can we related better to ourselves, our friends and families, strangers? What is our place in this world? How do movement and music affect my body? And my mind? These are some of the questions he asked as he explored in the creation of Biodanza. From the beginning, Toro saw a real need for change in the way people and medicine related long before it became a popular thing to do and the outcome of his quest is the Biodanza System, Rolando Toro.

Created in the 60’s, this system has since exploded onto the global scene being offered in dozens of different countries on many different continents. It is offered in many cities in South America, North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia!

BIODANZA-ZAMBIA is just one of the latest countries to benefit from the presence of Biodanza sessions in Lusaka. The facilitator is Michelle Dubreuil Macek, an American living in Zambia, who trained in the South African School of Biodanza.

Adult classes are offered on Wednesday evenings at 19 h and Thursday mornings at 9am for the young and old alike, for those with the supposed “two left feet” as well as for those who love to dance.

Sessions for children are held on Saturdays. Moms/Dads & Tots come at 11.30 to dance with their little ones and a Youth Group (6 to 10) begins at 10 am.

The American International School hosts a Tuesday afternoon class at 2 pm for 3rd to 5th graders, as well.

Our Lady’s Hospice in Kalingalinga, Lusaka also hosts a group for the caretakers/staff who come to relieve themselves of some stress and rediscover JOY in their lives!

All interested please contact Michelle at biodanzazambia@gmail.com or www.biodanzazambia.me.com