The Lost Joyful Art of Twirling

Do you twirl? You know what I mean don’t you? When you spread your arms wide and gently spin your whole body. Feeling the breeze through your finger tips, your body in motion and a sense of freedom. I think that as we age twirling becomes a lost art. An art that benefits your health at all ages including increasing balance, proprioception, joy and relaxation.

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When I asked one of my great nieces what she wanted me to make her for her birthday this year I was pretty sure what the answer would be. Since she was old enough to express her preferences, she has loved the colour pink, dresses, nighties with ruffles, dressing like a princess and all the “girly girl” things. So predictably her response before her 4th birthday was the same as her 3rd birthday. “I want a dress, a pink one, a dress that twirls.” There is extra fabric in the pleats of her dress that should give her lots of twirl!

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​My school time was spent mostly in private schools where uniforms were the norm. Those uniforms were great for twirling! Elementary school dress tunics with big pleats were wonderful for opening up in a flow as I spun, especially if the belt was removed. In high school I spent countless hours pressing the pleats back into my kilt after twirling them out.

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Fifteen years of teaching Tribal Fusion Belly Dance to adult women gave so many opportunities to spin and twirl in big skirts. You could palpate the increased level of joy in the class, whether beginners or advanced, when we danced a gypsy or flamenco belly dance fusion choreography. Each student twirled at their own speed, but they were always smiling as they did.

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​Whether moving slowly and gracefully, or with faster energy, twirling involves rotating your body around an axis. As you twirl your muscles are constantly shifting and adjusting to maintain your body’s centre of gravity. This can increase your balance, coordination and also helps to refine your sense of proprioception (sensing your body’s position in a space).

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​Twirling is a physical movement that benefits mind, body and spirit at the same time. With a single minded focus on remaining centred and balanced, you are pulled into the present moment. A space where a busy mind becomes quiet and calm, reducing stress and anxiety. Twirling can become active meditation.

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With twirling can come a sense of freedom for mind and spirit. Allow yourself to embrace the energy your younger self felt in twirling. Laughter when you finally fell or sat down and the world kept spinning around you, and a sense of careless abandon, joy and positive energy.

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PS. Skirts are not a requirement for spinning, but they sure do add extra umph to the experience!