Natale - Natale Trance Dance: Create an Experience Beyond Belief

Copyright 1995 - 2014. All rights reserved.

No part of this program, or any accompanying audio, may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, except a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in a magazine, newspaper, website or broadcast.

Edited by Ralph Cissne. Cover design by Wendy Saade.

Published by Morgan Road

ISBN-13: 978-0-9701443-5-5

ISBN-10: 0-9701443-5-0

For more information, visit FrankNatale.com

Through Trance Dancing we alter our consciousness and enter non-ordinary reality or what I call the World of Spirit, that world beyond time and space where everything is possible.

Frank Natale

Trance Dance, The Dance of Life

Table of Contents

Introduction

The desire to move beyond our perceived limitations is a birthright. Transcendental experience is a gift from our ancestors that is encoded in our DNA. The Natale Trance Dance presents a unique opportunity to celebrate transcendence as we explore and reconnect with the intelligence of our higher spiritual self.

I met Frank Natale in 1986 and was immediately inspired by his wisdom, clarity and humor. The choice to think and personal responsibility our thoughts create our reality were foundational to Franks teaching approach. Natale workshops and events provided extensive information. Frank was masterful at creating transformational healing experiences involving breath work, percussion and his Om Bilateral Alignment tracks that moved participants in profound and joyful ways. Afterward the typical responses were: Wow. Unbelievable. Wonderful. The combination of breath, music and movement drove these experiences beyond belief. We did not use the term trance dance until a few years later.

It is beneficial for Natale Trance Dance presenters to understand the origin and context. In late 1987 Frank moved to Amsterdam where he was encouraged by the European fascination with Native American wisdom and shamanism. This renewed Franks interest in long form dance experience that began some twenty years earlier when Frank and 5Rhythms creator Gabrielle Roth became friends at The Esalen Institute in Big Sur where they met and shared their love of music and dance.

In Europe Frank collaborated with musicians and created his first dedicated tracks for the trance experience. The Trance Dance cassette tape arrived at my home in California with no instructions other than to listen and do the breath of fire technique. So, that is exactly what I did. Afterward I sent Frank a fax message: I love the music. The experience was mind-bending, intense and illuminating. It took me ten minutes to get off the couch. I could hardly walk.

Frank telephoned early the next morning and laughed aloud. You need to get off the couch and get moving, he said. Trance Dance is all about allowing the breath and music to move you. We both laughed. We definitely need instructions, I offered. You must write a book.

Frank produced a series of albums: Trance Dance, Kissed by Lightening, Trance Dance 1 and 2, Dancers of Eternity and then Shamans Breath, released by Island Records. And he wrote the book Trance Dance, The Dance of Life. The Medicine Trance double album featured six long form tracks. Next, the Rites of Passage album presented thematic tracks that express the inevitable passages in the circle of life. All of these tracks are available on popular digital music platforms and used in Natale Trance Dance events in Europe, the United States and Australia.

In 1996 Wilbert Alix invited me to participate in his Trance Dance training retreat near Austin, Texas. It was an honor to assist Wilbert and the dancers through those energized days and nights and to tend our completion ritual fire. I have presented the Trance Dance experience for almost twenty years. Before he passed in 2002 Frank encouraged Wilbert and the rest of us to share the work and so we do.

We offer these Natale Trance Dance guidelines so you may form the circle of life and share this extraordinary experience with your friends and community. Frank was committed to the idea that we heal from the inside out, that understanding the self is the beginning of everything worth knowing. Among the Natale presenters there is a bond forged in the ethics Frank created and included here, that the purpose of life is to love and to serve and to celebrate the freedom of creating our destiny.

We encourage you to deepen your experience by participating in extended Trance Dance training and related retreats. Please explore the links found online at FrankNatale.com. The dance of life is yours to share so we may continue to manifest Frank Natales vision of transformation and healing for our selves and the planet.

Shine on,

Ralph Cissne

Technique, Staging and Marketing

There are practical steps in presenting the Natale Trance Dance experience. Ideal venues are yoga or dance studios because they have clean hardwood floor, a quality sound system and an active community. The Natale Trance Dance process is fairly straightforward, but think of it as a celebratory event. What Frank termed conscious cultures have been dancing in this way for thousands of years. Their purpose was to celebrate, unify and heal, creating balance and harmony within the group. That is our purpose, too.

The following is a step-by-step guide for producing and presenting a meaningful experience. The second half of this book includes excerpts from Frank Natales Trance Dance, The Dance of Life, which is now out of print. Please read these excerpts.

Technique

It is important to begin the Trance Dance by having the participants sign in (and share their contact information) including a waiver as the facility requires. As with any exercise they need to be clear their physician approves. Explain the ground rules, technique and answer any questions. Establish a mood of celebration and adventure. Welcome the dancers as you would guests for a gathering in your home.

1. Timing: Everyone should understand the start and end times. Dancers must arrive on time so they may participate in the opening where the technique is explained. Avoid allowing people to come in after the opening instructions have been presented. Make sufficient time for sharing at the conclusion. Allow 10-15 minutes for the introduction, 45-60 minutes for the dance and integration, and 10-15 minutes for the conclusion. Keep the total time to a maximum of 90 minutes, comparable to a traditional yoga class, although you may consider extended dance times for a longer workshop experience.

2. Wardrobe: Wear layered clothing appropriate for dance or yoga and preferably bare feet (unless the flooring precludes). Avoid wearing any perfume and chunky jewelry (loose bracelets, oversized watches or earrings, etc.) that may harm another with vigorous movement. A yoga blanket is handy for the initial sitting and final relaxation. A bandana is needed to cover the eyes.

3. Introduction: As room allows, have the dancers sit in a circle. Smile, introduce your self I am and acknowledge the group. Make eye contact and have each dancer share their name. The I am introduction is a simple yet powerful way to bring everyone into the room.

4. Breath: Lead the group in a slow and complete releasing breath inhale through the nose filling the belly, ribs and chest. Hold a moment and release through the nose. Take in what is needed and then let everything go. Repeat three or four cycles. Next, demonstrate the modified breath of fire two quick inhalations through the nose and a complete exhale through the mouth. The breath of fire is the engine that powers the experience. Explain they may slow their breath or return to normal breathing at any time. Conscious breath is continued through the dance until you instruct otherwise.