Mindfulness and meditation are popular nowadays, but if you’re like me, sitting or lying still to meditate can be quite difficult. I can’t help but get restless! Luckily for me, I can also experience mindfulness and meditation through movement. Movement-based forms of mindfulness, like yoga, tai chi, qigong, and even walking are great alternatives to a seated meditation. After coming to Madison and stumbling onto a Qoya class, I found dancing works well too.
Hold on.
Qoya? What is Qoya?
That was exactly my reaction when I first came across it (and others when I mention Qoya to them). So, based on my personal experience, these are just four reasons to try Qoya.
What is Qoya and what is a class like?
When people ask me what Qoya is, I usually say it’s dancing but kind of like yoga too, and basically a movement meditation. The focus is on how it feels, rather than how it looks (more usual in a typical dance class). There is some cueing involved as the class progresses through a sequence of movements.
From the official website, Qoya is a “movement system” created by founder Rochelle Schieck that originally aims to help women remember our essence as “wise, wild, and free.”
Qoya brings some of the wisdom of yoga.
Qoya dares us to be wild and creative like in dance.
When people ask me what Qoya is, I usually say it’s dancing but kind of like yoga too, and basically a movement meditation. The focus is on how it feels, rather than how it looks (more usual in a typical dance class). There is some cueing involved as the class progresses through a sequence of movements.
From the official website, Qoya is a “movement system” created by founder Rochelle Schieck that originally aims to help women remember our essence as “wise, wild, and free.”
Qoya brings some of the wisdom of yoga.
Qoya dares us to be wild and creative like in dance.
Qoya encourages us be free with our bodies and movements.
Essentially, it’s a means to access the treasures and personal wisdom that lies within and this is done through moving and connecting with the body. So while there is physical activity in Qoya, there is also a spiritual component because the class encourages participants to reclaim the (often forgotten) Divine Feminine essence that exists in everyone. This applies to men too! In some places, classes have expanded to include men. After all, according to Rochelle, “Qoya” means “queen” in Quechuan. Qoya allows anyone who dances it to take their throne and remember their own power and confidence, their Divine Feminine essence that exists in all.
One of the things I like most is that each class will be a bit different, yet there’s some consistency from class to class. A Qoya class typically will have a different theme each time. For example, a theme could be “Dreaming Our Transformations” or “Trust the Body.” While each class features a unique theme, all classes tend to follow a core structure that will include slow and fast dances, meditation and stretching, as well as community sharing.
Why try Qoya?
1. There is no wrong way to do Qoya.
One of the things I love about Qoya is that there is no right or wrong way to do it, as it is personal to everyone. Just follow what feels right for your body. Sometimes, when I take a peek at others, I find it really cool seeing the variety of movements we all do. If you’re worried about how you look, it’s totally fine to close your eyes! In the classes I have taken, the mirrors are covered too. Whatever you are doing, you’re doing great. A safe space like a Qoya class really takes the pressure off.
2. It’s a time to reflect and connect to the self.
Another thing I like is that Qoya allows for introspection and connecting to the self. In each class, there are plenty of opportunities to be introspective and connect to the Divine self. For example, all participants have the opportunity to explore a specific theme and how it relates to themselves. So, in a class with a theme of “Dreaming Our Transformation,” I am able to explore my desires and dream and dance out my feelings. What would it feel like if we can’t dream to transform? What would it feel like if we could? In Qoya, we also pull an oracle card to reflect. How does the oracle card relate to the theme?
Ultimately, exploring the self in classes is beneficial because it evokes feelings and experiences I might not otherwise have. Plus, the sharing and discussions also might help me see things from a different perspective. Qoya is perfect if you are looking for insight, and it’s also a great way to come down to earth and reconnect to the physical body.
3. It’s a fun physical activity.
Qoya incorporates yoga moves and stretches, offering chances to build strength, balance, and flexibility. It also involves dancing, so it’s burning calories just by moving around! Not going to lie, sometimes I find myself working up a sweat, but you don’t have to (it’s really up to you). Go right ahead and make this your cardio workout if you want, or move slowly and gently if you’d like. This is your exercise time.
But it’s more than exercise; Qoya is fun. There’s just something about groovin’ to the music in a nice dance space without any worries. Because classes focus on reconnecting people to their bodies rather than emphasizing technique, there’s no judgment in the space. The resulting experience is empowering, liberating, and fun. Anyway, the 90 minutes go by quick, especially when you’re having fun!
4. Qoya provides creative fuel.
Multiple times, my experiences during Qoya sessions have provided inspiration for creative projects and especially my poetry. Of course, creative doesn’t have to be in the realm of arts; it could also mean thinking creatively or differently to empower you to be the creator of your own life.
Sometimes the inspiration comes from an insight, a thought, or feeling obtained during the dancing. The movements. The music. Something someone else said… One time, my instructor once mentioned how our bodies are mostly water, much like the Earth, and that sparked a poem. Back when I was upset about the Kavanaugh hearings, Qoya allowed me to explore my emotions, my pent-up anger, and then inspired me to voice them out in words.
Overall, physical movement like I’ve practiced in Qoya allows emotional energy, creative energy to move, too. So, if you feel stuck emotionally or are in need of new creative ideas, try taking on movement like a Qoya class to release your creativity and transmute your emotions.
Taking the next step
So there you have it: four reasons to try Qoya.
If Qoya sparks an interest in you, I encourage you to try it for yourself. This movement meditation is really unlike anything else, and it has so many positive benefits. If you live in the Madison area, instructor Sarah Sadie offers weekly classes at Dance Life (a female empowerment dance studio) and a monthly co-ed class at Perennial Yoga. Alternately, for non-Madisonians, you can check out Qoya’s Official Website to find a class near you.
Happy dancing!
