Think Clearly, Recognize Patterns,
Get into the Flow

Dance of Shiva is a way to train clear thinking. And while this site is to help make learning the dance of shiva as easy (and as affordable) as possible, a bigger goal is to teach you the basics of thinking clearly.

What is it about the dance of shiva that helps you to clear your mind?

In a word, Patterns.

Learning to recognize patterns can help you become a better problem solver and a quicker learner. And it can help you to get things done.

To flow means to be in a state beyond time, or if that doesn't make sense, then imagine time is like a wave. Flow is when you are on the wave of time and it carries you. And because you are on the wave of time it ceases to pass you by. What has "flowing" to do with clear thinking? Clear thinking, (learning to recognize patterns) can help you to get there.

Join the Think Clear email list to learn more about patterns and flow, or just keep visiting to check out the latest articles.

Meanwhile, here is some instruction in The Dance of Shiva.

Andrey Lappa's Level 1

In Andrey Lappa's original dance of shiva, there are five basic movement combinations.

Here are four of them. (click image to see the other 3. A pdf will either be displayed or you'll get the option to download.)

The complete set of level 1 moves also includes doing these same moves with both hands vertical.

And it also includes the double Transquarter (not shown.)

Personally, I think it's a lot to take even these four moves in all at once. When practicing, practice them one after the other. While learning, stick to one move first, (i.e. the F-F) practice it a few times, rest and then move on to the next move (say the B-B).

Some combinations that aren't included in andrey's original dance of shiva include the F-T, the F-C and the F-CT. (There's also the B-T, the B-C and the B-CT.)

Here's a sample of the first three. (It's another pdf that will either pop up in your browser or you'll get to download it (or both).

Andrey's Shivanata Level 3

If you've ever done Andrey's level 3, then you know about practicing sequences of moves. Andrey uses the mirror move in his level 3 algorithm. That means that you mirror the positions the hands are in. One limitation of this move is that it only works consistantly if both hands are in different planes. If both hands are in the same plane then there are eight positions where the mirror move causes no change.

I haven't done movement maps for this level but you can check out movement tables here.

Puzzlers Beware!

Personally, I had the most fun with the level 3 stuff. (Well, level 4 and leve 5 is fun also!) I think level 3 has the elements of basic puzzle solving. It's like a logic puzzle where you have to figure our where you arms are, and then where they go next.

Since there aren't enough level 3 type combinations in Andrey's version of the Dance, here's some of my own. I've shown only 7 but there are many many more possibilities. I use these 7 as a way of practicing all possible moves. Like level 3, each one is a sequence of four moves, but unlike level 3, none of them use the mirror move.

Here's a sample of all 7.

The Basics

Here are two videos that together show the basic movements of the dance of shiva one arm at a time. Shivanata instruction at it's most basic.

Dance of Shiva Basics Video 1

Dance of Shiva Basics Video 2

(You can order videos of all possible movements along with movement memory maps. Click here.

All the Moves

Check out the 49 Day Challenge. You can view videos of all 49 moves.

Questions?

You can email me:

• thinkclear@zeroparallax.com