Dance for joy: Rosen Method Movement and a Minnesota wedding

When I try to explain Rosen Method Movement (RMM) to people, I like to quote Marion Rosen on the way you feel after a movement class: “Our goal is to make people feel happy and motivated to dance, rather than drag themselves around. We would like them to feel physically well when their bodies move, and emotionally cheerful.”

The secret to Rosen movement classes is the music. Everyone responds to rhythm with their muscles, bones, and soul. With the right music, you just can’t help moving. When you move with a group, the joy is contagious.

I’m a Rosen movement teacher, so it’s no wonder I was moved to tears watching this Minnesota bridal party express their joy as they move down the aisle, feeling the music with their bodies and souls.

The wedding party

The video is from the wedding of Jill Peterson and Kevin Heinz, both 28 years old. The wedding took place in St. Paul, Minnesota on June 20. Not only is the video a big hit on YouTube; the wedding party was featured on the “Today” show this morning. Peterson told her hosts that she danced when she was growing up and “loved dance as a way to express yourself and share joy.”

There’s a great write-up about the video by Sarah Kaufman in The Washington Post:

We all know what we’re supposed to do at weddings: Look on politely as a matchy-matchy parade of friends makes its slooooow way down the aisle to Pachelbel’s Canon in D. Try not to giggle. Rise for the bride.

But, by dancing their entrances and sending that upbeat, physical energy right back out to their guests, the Peterson-Heinz wedding turns the rote behaviors into spontaneous reactions. Of course the guests watch attentively as the wedding party bobs in. You can bet not a single child had to be shushed at that point. This was no longer a display of bad posture and dyed-to-match pumps — it was an uplifting swell of celebration with a beat. The bride — unescorted, we note; so independent! — was and wasn’t the center of attention. The true focus was on the unified, wordless but palpable emotions of her whole support system.

It plugs us in to something deeply human. Dancing is how so many cultures have celebrated weddings for eons. …

[T]his ceremony went deeper than behaviors. It elicited all the right feelings, in the way that good dancing transfers energy and emotion to its audience. In the way they moved — and were able to corral their friends and family into the act — the couple told us a lot about themselves, and about their bond.

This didn’t look like a reluctant groom being dragged to the altar, nor a micromanaging bridezilla who had locked down every detail. They were open to music and movement and untucked shirts and sweat, and they gave to their guests what had to be the best party favor of all. An actual party.

According to the bride and groom, the wedding party had only one rehearsal and everyone contributed to the choreography. The music is Chris Brown singing Forever. Now I’ll have to decide if I want to use the song in one of my classes, after his inexcusable behavior.

Marion Rosen and Rosen Method Movement

Marion Rosen started teaching movement classes in her home over 50 years ago (it wasn’t called Rosen Method then). She just turned 95 and is still very active.

The best explanation of Rosen movement on the web is by Teri Katz. She describes how the movements open the chest and free the diaphragm, so we get more oxygen. The muscles are moved through their range of motion, increasing joint mobility.

The addition of music and rhythm makes the movements more like dancing, and thus more complex and fun. Partner work is included for participants to experience movement in relationship. Movements across the floor foster spontaneity, creativity and self-expression. Classes end with floor movements to move the spine, feel the breath, and give time for integration and relaxation.

Rosen Method movement can bring about change not otherwise possible. The human body/mind can create new patterns of thinking, feeling, and moving, making available new ways of living. The learning process is full of surprises, challenges and the pleasure of learning to move in new and unexpected ways. As participants learn new movement patterns, sensitivity is heightened, awareness of self and others expands, and ways of thinking and moving become freer and more creative. Movements that were previously impossible become effortless and pleasurable.

Teri is a Rosen Method bodywork practitioner, movement teacher, physical therapist, and a cellist. Me, I love to dance, feel the music, and connect with people as they’re enjoying themselves. Every class I teach is the high point of my day.