The Healing Dance of the Heart

By Sally Cook

In 2023, I was still walking through trauma. I had survived losing a spouse twice, once through death and now through divorce. I was a single parent of two amazing kids, who were also surviving trauma. We were brave, but not together. 

I felt alone on this journey. I would create a space for my kids, attempt to heal, and check all the boxes I knew would expedite the healing process. I was doing the things I learned to do, but my heart wasn't in it. I was training with Ranger but not Ruby.*

I would try to take walks, try to sleep, or meditate, but I couldn't trust others. In my sadness and anger, I was scared of being hurt again.

I needed to heal my heart, but didn't know how. I would use exercise to recover, but it didn't connect me with others. I was still attending my church and walking the steps of my faith, but it felt empty, as if I were just going through the motions. 

One day, in a moment of bravery, I contacted a local dance studio. I had gift certificates from previous years of marriage that were never used. 

I was worried, but I inquired if I could learn without a partner. Graciously, the school had instructors I could be paired with. 

Learning to dance with a partner is about learning to trust again, listening to your body, and feeling the music rather than just going through the steps. 

It was exactly what I needed. 

It felt strange to touch others or be touched by people in their personal space.  Just like neurons don't heal in isolation, people need connections to grow. I started to be more present inside my body and let myself experience the emotions that arose when I was close to others. 

The studio became my hospital, therapist's office, and weight room all in one. I felt safe, seen, and challenged to grow. 

Dancing was the way to heal my heart. 

If you are looking for a way to work with Coach Ruby, turn on the radio and go HAM on the dance floor!

"It is only by the heart that one can see rightly, for what is essential is invisible to the eye."

~Antonie St Expiry 

*Coach Ruby and Coach Ranger are the "fitness coaches" for the Grow Your Heart/Train Your Brain workout program for your inner self. Coach Ranger is the "brain" coach and Coach Ruby is the "heart" coach. In this story, Sally practiced heart exercises #92, Do Something Scary but Safe, and exercise #96, Dance. You can join Sally in this inner fitness program by visiting the following link.https://www.vashtishouse.com/gyhtyb

Do you have a story of when you used a mental health strategy and it worked? We would like to hear from you! learn more about how your story could be part of our new publication "Five Minute Mental Health Makeover"