'Intimacy, Sensuality, and the Confusing 'High' of Dance'

In a highly-anticipated episode, Alisson Sandi and Gui Prada welcome personal transformation coach Nelly Caldeira to unpack the complex topic of intimacy and sensuality in dance. This episode is a crucial guide for dancers seeking to understand these powerful, and often confusing, energies.

Nelly redefines intimacy as a space of vulnerability where one feels seen and acknowledged, emphasizing it's a quality of connection, not a specific move. She describes how it manifests as a feeling of synchronicity where leading and following dissolve and dancers become "co-creators." The conversation delves into differentiating this from sensuality, which Nelly describes as a focused, "addictive" pleasure tied to specific parts of the body.

The hosts explore the unique challenges of the dance world, where partner dancing can create a physiological "high" of feel-good hormones. This, Nelly warns, can lead to a state of confusion that makes it difficult to distinguish emotions or make rational decisions. She argues that the most effective way to navigate this is to normalize not knowing and to do the difficult work of self-awareness off the dance floor, through daily practice.

The episode offers powerful advice on navigating these intense connections:

• Acknowledge and Process: Nelly shares a personal story of finding catharsis on the dance floor by allowing herself to feel sadness, which eventually transformed into a sense of safety and pleasure.

• Seek Closure: She recommends intentional communication outside of the social to process the energy of a dance, offering a sense of closure that prevents confusion from festering.

• Set Boundaries: Nelly gives a practical example of getting multiple "yeses" to confirm consent, and Alisson shares his own disciplined practice of taking time to make major life decisions.

Have you ever felt a confusing 'high' from dancing? What is one strategy you use to manage your emotions and boundaries on the dance floor? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!