Dance is the hidden language of the soul.
Martha Graham is remembered for that quote. She was a prominent pioneer in American modern dance during the 20th century, with a career spanning seven decades and including 180 choreographic works. When I think of that quote, I’m reminded of how expansive the human experience is and how many ways there are to tell a story. Sometimes, words fall short, and those blessed enough to know two or more languages can attest to how diverse people can see and speak of the human experience.
Hi! I’m Jazlyn, a dancer and teacher passionate about sharing dance as a form of prayer. I’m teaching a breakout session at The Well Conference 2025, where we will explore movement in God’s presence and learn simple exercises to guide us in this type of prayer. This type of prayer includes exploring prophecy or prayers that align with God’s will and actively participating in God’s work.
First Encounter with Dance Prayer
When I was 14, I attended a Christian ballet school in Holland where I was introduced to creative worship. The students weren’t taught techniques for this kind of worship but were encouraged to try it. In hindsight, I’m happy they didn’t educate us too much about approaching it because it allowed us to stay intuitive and curious. So there I was, one of twenty in a room. The lights were dim, and all the students sat in a circle; some pressed against the wall hesitantly, and others swayed, trying to find the language within them. My eyes were open, watching the older dancers improvise their movements, twirling from one side of the room to the other. I began to see how this language could be used to speak to God. When I danced, I realized how much more I could say.
Fast forward to when I was 22, attending college for dance performance. I took a May term to learn about Dance Therapy. We studied the benefits dance therapy can have for people of all ages who struggle with trauma, PTSD, dementia, and disability.
Did you know adults who dance regularly can significantly reduce the risk of dementia by up to 76%?!
I learned that from my professor and other eye-opening stories and statistics about dance. “It’s not only about the physical,” she’d say, “it’s about the social engagement, the mood stabilization, and improved cognitive functions!” It was a fascinating course, to say the least. And in my heart, I knew I couldn’t be bothered to continue my education for another handful of years to become a dance therapist, but I knew I wanted to incorporate what I learned into my life as an artist. After that course, I was determined also to discover how dance could benefit not only our mental health but our spiritual health.
Imagining Dance Prayer Now
Without losing much steam, I’m still motivated to share how dance is a language of the soul by way of the body. Dance can also be a prayer and one with power, too. One of the exercises I want to explore during The Well Conference 2025 is called Release & Embrace. The meditation goes as follows:
- Begin with a four-count inhale and a four-count exhale
- Repeat 2 times
- Four-count inhale and float the arms to your sides as if to receive a hug (or release something)
- Exhale for four counts and close the arms in to embrace your body
- Repeat Release & Embrace breaths 5 times
Even as you read this, feel free to try it yourself. Allow your mind to float into a meditative space as you continue the patterned movement. Letting the inhale with arms wide, melt into the exhale and hug. As you do this, consider a question with each breath: What are you releasing? What are you embracing? As you breathe and move, listen for how God answers. This exercise has no time limit, and it can be done in as little as 5 minutes. Try this exercise and listen to how God speaks through your movement prayer.
My dream is for my faith family and me to live a rich spiritual life, and I believe it begins when we become creative and imaginative in our pursuit of faith. Dance Prayer invites us to speak to God with our mind, body, and soul. It is an experience that aligns us with the scriptures like Romans 12:1 to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice,” embodying the spiritual discipline of prayer in a curious way. Just as Jesus embodied His father’s teachings, so do we.
If you tried the exercise, have any questions or discoveries, and would like to share them with me, please contact me at 616network@gmail.com. If you want to learn more about what I’m up to, please visit my website, jazlynruiz.com, or follow me on Facebook (@Jazlyn_Ruiz) and Instagram (@jazlynkayla). You can also DM me on any of my accounts to discuss a future collaboration. My lines of communication are open!
I look forward to seeing you at The Well Conference 2025!
Blessings,
Jazlyn
Jazlyn Ruiz is an artist, performer, and founder of JAZZMAKE, a creative consultancy for Visual Communication & Experience. Jazlyn loves sharing dance experiences that explore movement as a prayer language when she isn’t working and exploring how to live a faithful life to God with curiosity, imagination, and courage.
