Flags add beauty and glory to the worship experience.
Flags add beauty and glory to the worship experience.
They can be powerful tools for spiritual warfare.
Children will much more readily dance spontaneously if given a flag.
And flags are expensive!
Children dance with greater freedom and spontaneity when give a flags.
As I was preparing to teach worship dance this next year at my church, I found myself longing for a full set of child-sized worship flags. I’d love to have 10-12 sets of flags, enough for a room full of children to have their own flag or set of flags with which to worship. I researched the best prices for child-sized flags (The lowest price I could find, buying in a large quantity, was $11/flag. Most were between $15 and $20).
So, I decided to see if I might be able to make some simple flags, even though I’m not a seamstress (I do have a sewing machine that I know how to use). I found several tutorials online that were extremely helpful. So, I wanted to share with you a synopsis of what I learned and one anointed tutorial on flag making that was looked doable for an unskilled sewer like me.
Materials: For a child. you want a flag to be about 17″x24″. A little smaller will work. So, for one set, you’ll can use 3/4 of a yard of fabric with a width of 42.” You’ll also need a 3/8” dowel, cut in half and sanded, giving you two dowels about 17″ long. While there are several ways to make the flag, here is a method that seemed both simple and beautiful to me: Continue reading “DIY Worship Flags for Children”
Scroll down to watch this 4 minute tutorial to develop strength, flexibility and balance.
Strength, flexibility and balance are all critical for dancers who want to improve their technique without risking injury. In fact, they are all invaluable to lifelong health. Many people, Christians included, are looking to Yoga to gain these benefits.
Years ago, I took yoga, with the mindset, “I’m here for the physical benefits and not the spirituality.” I put on my Jesus filter when I walked into the studio. The physical benefits I experienced were undeniable. My balance improved. My posture improved. I grew stronger and more flexible. And I felt better physically. Honestly, it helped me prepare for natural child birth more than any class I took at the hospital. I was grateful for that.
But I always had nagging questions in my mind about engaging in yoga, because of its roots in eastern religion. And as a runner and dancer, I found my workout plate too full to take another yoga class, so I never developed a regular practice of yoga.
Several years ago, as I found mentors in worship dance, those I respected the most warned me to stay away from yoga unequivocally. The reasons they described resonated with the unease I had felt in my spirit. So, I decided to listen to their warnings and make a decision to purposely (not just because I didn’t have time) skip yoga, even “Christian yoga” (by the way, this article is not a case against Christian yoga, just an attempt to tell my story). For me, it was a “When in doubt, leave it out.” Continue reading “Strength, Flexibility and Balance without Yoga”
I have a 6 minute video which teaches motions to the Lord’s Prayer along with a really memorable way to teach them. I’ve used this over and over with both children and adults. It’s great for opening a workshop or ending a class.
I would like help getting the word out to people outside of my circle of influence about several things:
1. The Devotions in Motion Videos
2. The Devotions in Motion workshop in Pasadena on June 14
3. The Children’s Praise Dance Camp in Pasadena from June 29-July 3
If you share on Facebook about any one of these and tag Worship Dance Ministries, I’ll give you The Lord’s Prayer in Motion video and enter your name into a raffle to win any product of mine (The only exceptions are Lynn Hayden’s products, which are not mine to give, and that I cannot ship a hard copy of “And a Child Shall Lead Them” outside of the U.S.)
Here’s what you need to do:
Copy one of the links below into a post on your page or a facebook group of which you are a part. (This will both reference the product and tag me, so I know you shared it)
Share why you think it might benefit the people with whom you are sharing it.Try to share it with those for whom it might be relevant. (If you live on the East Coast, sharing about the Children’s Dance Camp in Pasadena might not be relevant to your friends, unless you have friends who live in Southern California. But Devotions in Motion is available to anyone anywhere.)
Here are the links (I’ve included the tag. If the tag doesn’t work, you can tag my personal Facebook page or just email me):
1. Devotions in Motion: https://worshipdanceministries.com/devotions-in-motion/ Worship Dance Ministries
2. Devotions in Motion Workshop in Pasadena: https://worshipdanceministries.com/worship-workshop-pasadena/ Worship Dance Ministries
3. Children’s Praise Dance Camp in Pasadena: https://worshipdanceministries.com/pasadena-praise-dance-camp/ Dance Ministries Please post by this Friday, June 12.
I’ll draw the raffle on Monday, June 15. If you share and you don’t receive the Lord’s Prayer in Motion from me within 24 hours, email me, as sometimes the sharing on Facebook doesn’t notify me. Thanks!
If you have purchased Devotions in Motion, I have good news to share about it. I’ve added to it.
At the request of my good friend, Diane, I added a “straight through” video of all 5 devotional dances. This way, once you have learned the dances, you can use this video to dance them straight through in your devotions. I hope you find it helpful. It is available on your Devotions in Motion download page, which you received from me.
If you don’t have Devotions in Motion yet, but have been wanting to purchase it, it will be on sale for $15 through Sunday night. After that, the normal price will be $20.
I’ve also created a 2 minute video to give you a glimpse of Devotions in Motion. If you’re wondering if it would benefit you, this should help you figure that out. You can watch it here:
You can purchase it below or click here to learn more.
Price: $20 Sale: $15
THESE ARE VIDEO DOWNLOADS – Within 24 hours of purchasing them, you will receive an email link giving you access watch the videos online and to download them to your computer.
Join us for a week of Praise Dance in Pasadena – June 29 – July 3
Who: Children ages 7 and up
What: A week of Praise Dance for children
Where: Magnolia Studio, 4 Esther Street, Pasadena, CA
When: M-F, June 29-July 4, 10 AM – 12 PM
Why: To develop a heart of worship and to use movement and dance to praise Jesus
Your children will love this praise dance class. They will:
• build a vocabulary of movement for worship
• learn the biblical basis for using dance and movement to worship
• learn to interpret the words and heart of worship songs in dance
• lead other students in worship movement
•learn 3-5 of simple dances to use in their private worship
• experiment with props such as streamers, scarves and flags in worship.
• get exercise, strengthen their muscles, practice following directions, build Christ-centered friendships and have FUN!
• Receive a beautiful worship dance tunic to wear to class and to keep
“I was touched by your devotion and by modeling to the kids how to pray and include God in their dancing. It is hard to find how to use the gift of dancing in a way that pleases God and that makes it an act of worship as opposed to a performance. You are Giving the kids tools to do that. I also loved the modesty in your choice of outfits. Your focus is on God in everything and that is inspiring!” – Parent of student in Praise Dance Class.
I’m soooo close to releasing the Devotions in Motion videos. It always amazes me how looong the technical part of producing a product and editing it takes. But there is a Proverb I love that says, “A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul.” I’ve been longing to make these available for over a year now, and my hope is that it will not only be sweet to my soul, but beneficial to many souls, as they use these in their morning devotions or teach them to their praise dance team.
Devotions in Motion will be released as a video download with 5 short, simple, and powerfully expressive devotional dances using the acronym for prayer, ABIDE. You can learn more by clicking here.
Would you pray for me in this final stretch? The work left at this time is technical, so I would appreciate grace with technology. I would also appreciate prayer that God would lead me to those who would benefit most from these and that they would be a blessing to others.
I also have it on my heart to schedule a local dance workshop here in Pasadena in the next 5-6 weeks and to offer a summer dance class as well. I’d so appreciate prayer for these things.
Please let me know in the comments section how I can pray for you.
From the dance to Psalm 17:8 Hide Me Under the Shadow of Your Wings
Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
He also said, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Mathew 6:6
I have found that when preparing to dance in ministry or to teach a class, I need to also be dancing at home in private. When I dance in private, I connect with Jesus. He’s the source of all true creativity, healing, beauty, and power. If I want those things to flow from my dance in ministry, I need to spend time with Him in private.
I also find that there is a battle that goes on inside me in the morning. I know that when I offer my body in praise and worship (that means I move in my devotions) that I experience breakthrough in my life. But something inside me resists moving. I want to sit comfortably under my covers, read the bible, and pray quietly. Now, there are plenty of mornings when I do just that, and it’s a lovely time with God.
But there are many mornings when I know He is saying, “Amy, get on your knees,” or “Amy, you need to move. I want more from you.” I always receive from Him when I’m obedient to Him, and yet, I so often resist it.
So, it’s been really helpful to me to have a pattern of prayer and some simple movements to do early in the day that get me moving. I’ve developed these devotional dances over the years from some of my favorite verses and from choruses to some of my favorite worship choruses.
Based on the acronym ABIDE, they give me starting point to engage my body, and, by engaging my body, to engage my heart.
I have taught them to classes of children as a pattern for prayer to begin our class, preparing ourselves to worship from the heart.
I’m excited about this project because it is truly accessible to worshipers of all ages and skill levels. The movements come out of expressive sign and can be done first thing in the morning, before you are ready to move your whole body. They can be done in a small place, beside your bed, on your couch, in your prayer closet. Because they consist primarily of upper body movements done in a posture of prayer, you can do them when your family is still asleep without awakening them.
On the videos, I teach these five devotional dances, step-by-step, so you can do them with me. I also include live video footage of me teaching this to a class of children, so that you can see how it works to teach them to a group. You will be blessed by their hearts of worship.
When you purchase Devotions in Motion, the videos will be available to watch online or to download and keep on your own computer. I have my heart set on releasing a physical DVD, but that happen later.
What can you do if you are interested in these videos? If you aren’t already subscribed to my mailing list, make sure you subscribe right now, so that you’ll get an email as soon as it is available. Please also be praying for this project, that I’ll do it in the time and way that is pleasing to Him and that will benefit others.
Take a minute and share in the comments. I’d love to hear what you think. I’d also love to hear how dancing in your devotions makes a difference in your life.
The Expressive Worship and Dance DVD presents and teaches a beautiful group dance that can be used for ministry and for personal devotion. You can take this dance and use it exactly as it is to create a ministry piece. Or you can take and adapt parts of it to fit your context. You can even use it as a solo or simply dance it in your own devotions, an invitation to the Lord to soften your heart and form His heart in you.
Not only do you learn a complete dance from this DVD, you get many ideas for how to take your own choreography and adapt it for a group, making it full of variety so you can minister.
Pastor Lynn shows how she takes a motif, which is illustrated in the chorus of the song and shown in the solo choreography, and creates many variations on this. In doing so, she creates a group dance that contains powerful variety. By adding group shapes, unison movement, by varying stage position and group formations, and by using cannon in the choreography, the original movements are adapted to add interest and impact to the dance. Here, I teach the solo part to the chorus: Continue reading “Create a Powerful Group Dance from a Simple Solo”
Several years ago a dance ministry leader encouraged me to raise my standards for dance garments, to seek to dress beautifully for God’s glory. My biggest objection was financial. I did not have a budget for a new wardrobe of worship garments.
She encouraged me to seek a seamstress for my team, so I started praying about that. I approached people whom I knew sewed and asked them to consider sewing for the team. Though both were willing, neither was enthusiastic.
Then, one day in worship team practice, a woman new to the team mentioned that she sewed and would love to create tunics for the team. She had a passion for worship dance and a desire to use her talent for sewing to bless the ministry.
I was moved by God’s answer to my prayer, and it confirmed that He was blessing the dance ministry He was calling me to. With this friend, I found several patterns that we used to create dance garments:
For the team, she used a simple tunic pattern that she adapted for each team member. She also used this pattern for the children, using it as a model and creating a simple pattern herself. (Pictured below on
Overlay adapted from Burda Pattern 7354.
the team.)
She created more intricate overlays for my solos, adapting costume overlays. My favorite came from a Medieval gown pattern. We adapted it in several ways, raising the neckline, shortened the length, so that I wouldn’t step on it, and omitting the sleeves. In addition, I had her leave the bottom half of the seams open so that the dress had flaps, which were very effective and made the dress easier to dance in. (Pictured top left.)
Overlay adapted from Simplicity Pattern EA989101.
The other pattern we used for an overlay was also a costume pattern. We also raised the neckline on this pattern. (See blue and gold overlays.)
Lastly, I found this pattern online for circles skirts: You don’t even need to purchase a pattern, but can simply use the instructions to create the skirt.
Truly, having a skilled seamstress who wants to use her gifts to bless the dance ministry is a gift from God. All of these patterns have been wonderful but also needed to be tweaked to be appropriate for worship dance.
We just finished a fabulous week of Praise Dance Camp in Pasadena. I’m so grateful for the week, for your prayers, and for how the Lord worked.
