In August, I ran a free month-long online dance challenge Dance Yourself Free (for Women) – Online for women alongside co-hosts Hannah Lee and Danielle Ajanta. The idea came about because I knew that I worked well with accountability and wanted to commit to dancing at least once a day and share my dance (in the hopes it might serve others). By experience, I knew that mixed gender online group don’t work well and hence limited it to people who identified as women.
What a month! Over 200 were in the group, with at least 30 people who posted their dance video, of which about 10 posting daily. In the first week, I had a big breakthrough on healing my own body-image challenges as I get older and it gets harder to release weight. I continue to be moved to tears repeatedly through the month, and kept I wanted to “keep” some of these ladies as lifelong friends.
I came back to:
- Appreciating the strengths/ vulnerabilities of humankind
- Admiring of the shapes, curves, beauty of women
- Connecting with my fellow women and sisters
- Source: fun, playfulness, sexiness, creativity, expression…
I found myself (and continue to):
- Be more ridiculous, playful, creative, expressive, expressed and funny (My inner comic is being released!)
- Didn’t know it could be possible but care less what people think and even less about need for approval
- Learned I can get pretty much find any song on YouTube like “The Idiot Song”, “I have a cold” and even F1 theme song. The sky is the limit!
When August ended, we started a daily dance group as an offshot from the monthly one – “DDD (Decide to Dance Daily) Sisters”. The ones who came forward tend to be same ones who were consistently showing up daily.
In addition, Kathy Low came forward to facilitate a September group Dancing with Rubies, and Dianna Lane has come forward to facilitate the October Group Dance Yourself Free. You can join them for free by clicking these links (Do read the group rules).
It took me some time to decide to share it publicly… but here it is. My favourite and probably funniest video from my 54+ days of dancing daily (one take and unrehearsed btw). I keep rewatching it because I do enjoy laughing at myself! Life doesn’t have to be so serious!
About Dr. Martha Tara Lee
Surrounded by friends who were sexually inhibited and struck by dire lack of positive conversations around sex and sexuality in Singapore, Dr. Martha Tara Lee set out to make a positive difference in embarking on her doctorate in human sexuality before launching Eros Coaching in 2009. Today, she remains dedicated to working with individuals and couples who wish to lead self-actualised and pleasure-filled lives.
She also holds certificates in counselling, coaching and sex therapy, and her fourth degree – a Masters in Counselling in May 2018. In practice for more than 10 years, she is the only certified sexuality educator and certified sexuality educator supervisor by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) in Singapore. She is also a Red Tent Women’s Circles Facilitator from Star of Ishtar.
Often cited in the local media, Dr. Lee is the appointed sex expert for Men’s Health Singapore, and Men’s Health Malaysia. She was recognised as one of ‘Top 50 Inspiring Women Under 40′ by Her World in July 2010, and one of ‘Top 100 Inspiring Women’ by CozyCot in March 2011. She has published four books: Love, Sex and Everything In-Between, Orgasmic Yoga, From Princess to Queen and {Un}Inhibited.
Martha works with individuals and couples in private coaching sessions, and conducts her own workshops. She takes prides in making sure all her workshops are also fun, educational, and sex-positive. This comes easily to her because even though she is extremely dedicated and serious about her work, she fundamentally believes that sex is meant to be fun, wonderful, amazing and sacred. As such, this serious light-heartedness has shone through again and again. For her full profile, click here. Email her here.