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Why Pavla Uppal leads Dances of Universal Peace

This summer, I explored new aspects of something that has long fascinated me — dancing for peace. Dancing is one of my favourite endorphin-enhancing activities that help me get out of my head and into my body. Invariably, dancing increases my joy and peace, along with my heart rate. So when Dances of Universal Peace practitioners met in Toronto's High Park, I joined them to incant peace into our circle, our souls, and the world. May our steps fall on fertile ground, producing a harvest of peace.

Pavla Uppal, the leader of the Toronto circle, shared with me after why she dances for peace. Pavla explains, "The dances are meditative, joyous, all kinds of energy, and we dance to increase the capacity of our hearts for love: that is the main purpose why we dance. And I guess that is where the peace comes in. When our heart expands and opens we can bring others into our hearts, we can understand them better with more compassion and understanding of people."

 

When our heart expands and opens we can bring others into our hearts, we can understand them better with more compassion and understanding of people. — Pavla Uppal, leader of Toronto's Dances of Universal Peace

 

Dances of Universal Peace started in 1968 in California, and has circles in over 30 countries. Pavla has been dancing in the circle for years. She loves the integration of meditation, movement and singing. Summer or winter, you can find Pavla leading monthly dances in Toronto, or find (or start) a chapter near you.

 

 

“Actually, although we seem to be in a world of song and dance, we are most concerned with peace on earth.” — Murshid Samuel Lewis, Founder, Dances of Universal Peace

 

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