Dancing Warrior by Robin Kay

I recorded this dance more than 2 years before I was diagnosed with cancer. Yet, a friend told me after watching the video, that she could tell this dance came from my pain. At first, I was surprised because in putting together the sequence, I simply wanted to set yoga postures to music to enliven my practice. But I also understood how her observation was accurate. My friend, who has also experienced hardships, recognized a desire to express what is difficult to articulate: a longing for strength, to be seen, for control & order and a desire to connect, both with the music and with whoever might see the dance.
Now that I am faced with a serious illness and all of the frightening related feelings, I can’t genuinely claim that dance is any kind of salve or that I’m able to draw upon my inner warrior for strength. In fact I often feel sad to recall how strong I once was. Still, I do appreciate that there is a kind of power, if only in disclosing my fears, even while feeling the sadness and poignancy of my one true life.
Music composed by Bear McCreary, featuring Griogair Labhruidh singing "Moch Sa Mhadainn".