
Ancient Dances
As a religious, philosophical, and ritual expression, dance has an important role in the practice of Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, and other Asian belief systems. Long unbroken transmissions of movement forms are reflected in religious artistic depictions, where performative iconography is mystical code as well as movement illustration.
In his column Ancient Dances, Joseph Houseal looks at the aspects of dance and spirituality to enhance practice and appreciation among readers, and to raise cultural awareness in our changing world. He uses dance as a lens to explore states of consciousness and symbolic representations.
Ancient Dances is published monthly.


Immortality and Invincibility, Part Two: Notions of the Body, Concrete and Subtle
Conceiving the human form in Buddhist and Taoist thought

Big Book, Small Kingdom
Ambitious photographic glimpses of the Himalayan…

Immortality and Invincibility, Part One: The 108 Luohan System
At the confluence of Taoism and Buddhism

Ted Shawn on Buddhism
Explorers, adventurers, and dancers: divining the Dharma


Hagoromo
Portraying the dance of a natural, spiritual wisdom

Ritualized Landscapes: Performative Iconography
A Look at large Buddhist rituals in Tibetan China


Power and Beauty: Robert Wilson Takes On the Last Dynasty
When avant-garde theater and Chinese art collide

Dancing, Healing, and Spiritual Realization, Part Five: Epilogue
Spiritual healing, transmissions, and…

Pawo Dorji, Mountain Oracle of King Gesar – Dancing, Healing, and Spiritual Realization, Part Four
Shamanic healers and tantric rituals