Day 15: Dance & Pleasure: Moving Into Joy
|
|
Time to read 4 min
Dance has long been a celebration of life, love, and pleasure—a practice that connects us to our bodies, invites self-expression, and nurtures both emotional and physical well-being. Moving with intention is a powerful way to cultivate joy, release stress, and deepen our connection to ourselves and others.
For today’s challenge, we’re joined by Bonnie Crotzer , a classically trained ballerina and fascia flossing expert, who invites us to explore dance as a pathway to pleasure. She reminds us, "When you can find pleasure in existing in this human form, life gets a bit more buoyant."
Day 15 Challenge: Dance & Pleasure
Today’s challenge invites you to move your body in a way that feels good to you. Whether it’s dancing alone in your room, joining a class, or moving with a partner, embrace the pleasure of movement and let yourself be fully present in your body.
Why Dance Matters
Dance is more than just movement—it’s a form of self-expression, a stress reliever, and a way to experience pleasure through the body. Research has shown that dancing releases endorphins, boosts mood, and strengthens the mind-body connection. A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that people who dance regularly experience greater levels of happiness and reduced stress.When we engage in dance, we allow ourselves to fully inhabit our bodies, moving beyond self-consciousness into a space of freedom and joy. As Bonnie explains, "Taking the pressure off to be correct, great, or perfect lends to a far more pleasurable experience. When I look at my dance practice as a practice... there is no getting it wrong if you are playing."
How to Practice Dance & Pleasure, Partnered and Individually
Individually:
Free Movement: Put on your favorite song and let your body move intuitively.
Sensory Awareness: Notice how each step, sway, or spin feels in your body.
Dance as Meditation: Close your eyes, follow the rhythm, and focus on your breath and sensations
With a Partner:
Slow Dancing: Hold each other close and let the music guide your movement.
Mirror Movement: Take turns leading and following, creating a shared, intuitive flow.
Playful Connection: Let go of expectations and simply enjoy the moment of moving together.
Intimate Insights with Bonnie Crotzer
Q: What role does dance play in your experience of pleasure, both as a performer and in your personal life?
I think I just dance around a lot—it makes life more fun. When you can find pleasure in existing in this human form, life gets a bit more buoyant. Dance has profoundly deepened my connection to my body, which helps me in intimacy and even in washing dishes.
Q: How has your relationship with dance evolved from being a professional career to a more personal, embodied practice?
Dance has always been personal and embodied, even in my professional career. Some choreography feels closer to home than others, but even in pieces that weren’t my favorite, I learned to stay curious and fully engaged, embodying the music, the steps, and the space.
Q: Do you have a favorite movement or style that instantly brings you joy?
I was classically trained in ballet—it’s like my first language, my foundation, my childhood home. But I also love breaking the bounds of that structure and exploring other forms, especially contemporary dance. It’s a poetic adventure.
Q: How do you guide your students to experience pleasure and freedom in their bodies through fascia flossing and embodied practices?
When our fascia is hyper-dense and congested, it feels like wearing a very tight and heavy wetsuit. Fascia Flossing™ helps people feel lighter, more open, and more connected to their bodies. When we feel this way, we naturally want to enjoy and inhabit our bodies more fully.
Q: What’s one lesson about pleasure and embodiment that dance has taught you?
Embodiment makes us more daring—daring to reach for our desires, fully express ourselves, and let it rip! This practice of presence and awareness spills over into daily life, whether in an interview, at the supermarket, or any public space.
Why It Works
Dance bridges the gap between mind and body, offering a natural and freeing way to access pleasure. As MindBodyGreen highlights, "Movement-based practices, like dance, have been linked to lower cortisol levels and increased dopamine production.”
Beyond the physiological benefits, dance is a powerful tool for reclaiming joy, releasing stored emotions, and deepening connection—with ourselves and others. As Bonnie explains, "Practicing awareness in dance—feeling everything internally and externally—translates into how we engage with the world, from eating a meal to standing in the subway."
Takeaways
Dance is an invitation to experience pleasure through movement. It reminds us that joy isn’t something we need to chase—it already exists within us, waiting to be expressed. When we let go of the need for perfection and allow ourselves to play with movement, we open the door for deeper embodiment and connection. Whether dancing alone or with a partner, today’s challenge is to surrender to the rhythm, embrace pleasure, and move in a way that brings you joy.
Guest Contributor: Bonnie Crotzer
With an extensive and professional background in dance, bodywork, yoga, pilates, and biomechanical flexibility and strength, Bonnie developed The Floss™, her signature method and platform, to educate people on an often-overlooked source of health—the fascia network. Her Fascia Flossing™ classes and private sessions resculpt the body’s foundational structure through a personalized combination of physical manipulation, guided resistance movement, and engaged muscle elongation techniques.
Explore More
🎧 Listen
Bonnie’s Episode of Head South Radio
Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
📚 Recommended Reads:
🛠️ Tools & Practices:
Experience Fascia Flossing™ at The Floss ™
Use the discount code “HEADSOUTH” at checkout
Want More from Bonnie Crotzer?
Follow Bonnie on Instagram @BonnieCrotzer