The Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species is a contemplative journey into the hearts and minds of other species to celebrate and honor our connection with those species, and to see our lives and life choices from another life-form’s perspective.

The Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species is also an exploration of how we can use the wisdoms, passion, wit and strengths of other species in our daily lives to create a more sustainable planet and empower our lives.

Earth lovers are invited to help spread these dances worldwide as another way to connect with the ancient intelligence and ecological perspectives of the Earth’s diverse and passionate life-forms. Dancers are also invited to create and send their Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species ideas to us so we can post it here. Another place to talk about the dance is the XOEarth Facebook and other circle dance sites.

The XOEarth’s Biosphera Dance form is described below. Other forms are mentioned in the D4S Forms section.

GreenMatrix Form 4 Dimensions – 4 Movements

The GreenMatrix form is the original version of the Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species. This form is based on four movements – TEAM, ART, LOGIC and LOVE – to give dancers and their “species guides” a chance to focus on specific dimensions of ecological awareness and action. In the XOEarth’s Biosphera Dance form, dancers may invite a different animal or plant to be their guide in each of the movements of the dance, or they can dance with the same species in all 4 movements.~~~~~~~~TEAM is the first movement of this dance. During the TEAM movement we ask our species guide to teach us what they know about cooperation, community, and teamwork from the perspective of their kind. Whatever the species — be it ant, elephant, goose, krill, aspen tree, or manta ray — they all have lessons to teach us about TEAM. And so, in the TEAM dimension, we can ask our species guide for ideas on how to apply their knowledge and perspective to the way we work with friends, associates and with environmental organizations to help protect the planet and to better our lives.

Of course, corporations have also demonstrated the power of team, even though their focus is often destructive and dangerous for the biosphere. As Earth lovers, it is a crucial aspect of protecting the planet that we also come together to work as a team.~~~~~~~~ ART is the second movement of the XOEarth’s Biosphera Dance. As we dance the ART movement we will ask our species guide to tell us what they know about communication, creativity, interaction, motivation, and art. Whatever the species – be it wildebeest, wasp, butterfly, gorilla, amoeba, or whale – they all have something to say about ART. We will then ask our species guide to suggest ways that we can apply their communication and creative abilities to the way we use conversation, email, fine art, songs, and multi-media to inform our friends, community and the world of environmental and social issues we care about.

Profit obsessed advertising often abuses the communication arts used by humans and other species to destroy the biosphere. In these times, getting the dry information out there is usually not good enough to motivate change – serious info with a ingenious twist is easier hear and act on. ~~~~~~~~LOGIC is the third movement of the dance. During the LOGIC movement we ask our species guide to tell us what they have discovered about how to live ecologically and in harmony with others of their species and other life-forms. Whatever the species – be it spider, raven, caribou, seahorse, sunflower, or lion – they have all LOGICal ways of living that we can learn from. Therefore, in the LOGIC dimension, we can ask our species guide to help us make life-style lifestyle decisions and consumer choices that best serve the Earth and our lives.

The Logic dimension is also an misty excursion into the future to see the domino effect of our eco-actions on life-forms and humans worldwide based on science, natural history and probability. ~~~~~~~~LOVE is the fourth movement. During the LOVE movement we take the chance to honor and give love back to our species guide and receive any love they choose to send our way. Whatever the species – be it kitty cat, beetle, cobra, willow, koala or dolphin – they all have something to say about LOVE. The LOVE dimension is also a place to accept the gratitude and praise for environmental actions that have helped protect their homes, their lives and the planet!!

The LOVE dimension is also a realm to allow the energies and powers of our species guide, its family, the biosphere and the universal river of love to rejuvenate and nurture our body, mind and spirit.
~~~~~~~~By opening our hearts and minds to the possible perspectives of the other species and how their instincts, inner wisdoms and behaviors relate to TEAM, ART, LOGIC and LOVE in our lives, we have the chance to discover new ways to protect our priceless planet. Plus, once we have danced with and connected with our species guides, we can ask our guides to team up with us in our day-to-day work and actions to inspire and empower our Earth actions.

By the way, TEAM, ART, LOGIC and LOVE are also the basis for the Earth Accord, a global environmental pledge project.

Music and Materials

60-90 minutes of live or recorded music is needed for one D4S dance. Although many styles of music might work for the Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species, it is usually best if most of the music for the dance is a contemplative, quieter style music that supports the dancers as they are move around the area while and exploring the philosophical, subconscious, and ethereal realms. Mellow instrumental or acoustic music – either live or recorded – is good for this.

The D4S dance has four movements. Each movement starts out with 2-5 minutes in which the dancers are moving slowly choosing a species guide for that section. These short segments at the beginning of the four movements are usually a quieter and more contemplative music. The remaining 10-15 minutes of each movement is for free-form dancing with the species guide and therefore has a more energetic style of music.

D4S Suggested Materials

+ Pictures of various species to place around the room for dancers to refer to and/or to help them find a species guide. Nature magazines and nature education cards are good sources for these animal and plant pictures.
+ 4 small tables, clothe, objects, candles, flowers to decorate North, South, East and West in the room.
+ Sound system.
+ Musicians’ instruments/ Drum/ Shakers.
+ Money collection system if applicable. [Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species would greatly appreciate that you send 50 cents for every dancer in order to help support the world promotion of the Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species.]

Setup, Intro, Dance, Wrap-Up

D4S EVENT SEQUENCE-TIMELINE

SETUP SPACE /(20-60 minutes)

+ Start nice background music to setup by and welcome dancers.
+ Nice tables and objects in four directions.
+ Pictures of various species on floor in a circle around the dance space.
+ Donation container with sign and/or collection center. [If you put on a Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species that you charge for, please send us 50 cents for every dancer present to help support the Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species organization.]
+ Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species and XOEarth Citizens Accord information table or location.

WELCOME – INTROS /(3-15 minutes)
Welcome dancers to the Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species. For smaller groups, have dancers sit in a circle. If the group is small and you have plenty of time, invite each person to take a minute to introduce themselves. This also makes some time for late comers.

D4S OVERVIEW /(7-15 minutes)
Describe the concept of the D4S dance to the dancers. The sections called “Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species/ CELEBRATING THE BIOSPHERE” and then “4 DIMENSIONS 4 MOVEMENTS” on this page can be used in this description.

Dancers may also be told that they can either dance alone (in a more contemplative exploration of one’s relationship with their species guide), or, dance with other dancers (in an inter-species celebration and exchange), or both.

LEAD THE D4S DANCE /(60-90 minutes)
See D4S CHOREOGRAPHY below for the description of the 4 movements of the XOEarth’s Biosphera Dance form.

AFTER DANCE WRAP-UP /(10-45 minutes)
Once the dance is complete, dancers may be invited to get together in small groups of 2-5 to celebrate the journey, tell others what they learned, discuss how to apply it to our lives, and talk about how to use what we learned to protect the biosphere. If you are a fan of the XOEarth Citizens Accord, now would be a good time to describe it and invite others to join in.

Choreography

4 ‘DANCE 4 THE SPECIES’ MOVEMENTS
Even though the following is the recommended order of the 4 movements, it can be changed if desired. Although the guide has a number of things they need to say during the dance, most of the time during the dance there are no words spoken to allow the dancers to can go deeper into the visualizations, contemplations, playfulness, interactions between other dancers and “inter-species communications”.

1ST MOVEMENT – “TEAM” /(12-20 minutes)
Start “walking” music. (2-5 minutes) Invite dancers to get up and walk in a circle as the slower intro music begins – or turn around in one place if the group is large. During this walking section, invite dancers to choose a species guide – either one that is in the cards and pictures (if available), one they have in mind or one that calls out to them. Ask dancers to invite that species to join them in the dance.

Dancers then invite their species guide to start communicating any ideas or wisdoms related to the TEAM dimension that might be beneficial in the dancer’s life, for humanity or for the planet. An example of TEAM used by a specific animal or plant is a fun addition here. The invitation to one of the Directions (North, South, East or West) to join in the dance may be included here as well.

Start “dancing” music. (10-15 minutes) As the more energetic music begins, invite dancers to dance go into a deeper dance and communication with their species guides. Invite dancers to dance around, explore the movements of their species guide and even the sounds the animal or plant might make.

The movement comes to closure as the music stops. Ringing a chime or playing a gong will take the group into a moment of silence to contemplate the gifts from this Dimension. It is important to have some means of bringing closure to each movement before starting the next dimension and its unique focus.

2ND MOVEMENT “ART” /(12-20″)
Same as MOVEMENT 1 except comments relate to ART and the relevant Direction.

3RD MOVEMENT “LOGIC” /(12-20″)
Same as MOVEMENT 1 except comments relate to LOGIC and the relevant Direction.

4TH MOVEMENT 4 “LOVE” /(12-20″)
Same as MOVEMENT 1 except comments relate to LOVE and the relevant Direction.

4000 Dances

All eco citizens are invited to help organize and/or lead a Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species in their community — to explore the possible perspectives, intelligence, passion and wit of the Earth’s life-forms.

Starting a Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species is a fun way to get friends and others to tune into their connection with other life-forms (and future peoples), and in turn, encourage them to take specific actions that will help protect those life-forms (and ourselves).

So join Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species to power up the ecological actions in your community — and to help manifest a lofty goal of 4000 Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species each month around the world.

The fourth Saturday of each month at 4:00 PM is the un-official time and day for the Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species around the world. Of course, your dance group may choose to meet on a different date.

Once you decided to have a dance, contact Stele or Zia or 72O.34O.8O8O. They can answer questions, might be able to help with the dance, and would love to hear how your dance goes.

XOEarth Citizens Accord ~~ GreenMatrix

The Bioshera: ‘Dance 4 the Species is based in part on the XOEarth Speak and the XOEarth Citizens Accord.
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XOEarth Citizens Accord
The XOEarth Citizens Accord is a call to all Earth lovers to unite in a goal to give 4% or more in time* and/or income back to the planet via the dimensions of Team, Art, Logic and Love.

More info on the XOEarth Citizens Accord is at XOEarth.org/accord.

GreenMatrix
Even though the precise benefits of our environmental lifestyles, environmental and political actions are sometimes difficult to trace, it is crucial that we envision those results so we can continue to be motivated to take those actions.

Plus, taking care of the planet is more fun and motivating when we understand the perspective, love and joy that other life-forms and humans experience. Envisioning how our eco actions benefit those life-forms and humans can even more motivating.

However, since the perspectives of other life-forms and humans, and our connections to these life-forms and humans are hard to see, it is important to explore these connections and perspective using visualization and “meta-physical journey”.

If advertisers can make people buy by using fantasy-world impossibilities… we can nurture environmental action by envisioning the possible real-world effects of our eco actions.

XOEarth Speak
All of the life-forms on our planet love to live and live to love. If these species could thank us – and even kiss us – for our environmental actions that save their home and their lives, they probably would. XOEarth Speak writers attempt to speak for these animals and planets in their stories and songs.

For more info on XOEarth Speak and to get XOEarth Speak stories, art and songs as a reward for your environmental actions, check out XOEarth.org/art-song-word/.

For Kids and Other Forms

Kids and Young Adults. We invite teachers and parents to incorporate the D4S into their natural science and environmental ed programs. Suggestions and lesson plan designers are quite welcome too.

GreenMatrix Circle form. This is basically the GreenMatrix form done as a circle dance. This 15 to 90 minute dance can be used at Dances Of Universal Peace and Sufi dances. Contact Stele for guidelines.

Seasons Dance 4 the Species form. This is basically the GreenMatrix form done using the 4 Seasons as the movements instead of Team, Art, Logic and Love. Contact Stele for guidelines.

If you have a good D4S form send it to me, Stele Ely, and I will post it here or link to it.

Monthly Dance and Party

Saturday Is XOEarth Party Day! The second Saturday of each month is XOEarth Party Day worldwide. Therefore, it is also a great day to have a Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species. So consider inviting your friends, associates and community to a Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species on the second Saturday, and introduce XOEarth at the end of the dance. Tell us all about how your dance went!

As well as the Dance, consider including at least one focus environmental “party favor” at your dance. Such as, having a letter writing campaign table, making flags, distributing membership info for your favorite enviro org, and teaching about efficiency actions such as using clotheslines and cleaning refrigerator coils.

Team ~ Volunteers

We welcome those who would like to join the Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species team. Send us few words as to what aspect of the project you are interested in. Certificates of achievement will be given to accomplished volunteers or interns. We will also be forming a board of directors.

Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species has a need for team members who would like to help develop the D4S strategies, PR, fun stuff, and web stuff. We also need help translating the Biosphera ~ Dance 4 the Species into other languages!

Founders and Music

D4S Dance Leaders
If you are interested in getting help with a D4S, or if you would like the dance presented to a group or business along with the XOEarth Citizens Accord concept, contact Stele Ely and Zia Parker.

Custom XOEarth Speak Songs
Stele can compose and record a custom XOEarth Speak song for you. These custom songs “sung by one of the species” are composed in in a folky, balladic form. These songs journey into a deeper connection with the Earth, and to specific life-forms on our planet. Tell us what species you want – or if you want “planet Earth” to sing it. Also tell us for whom and what your custom XOEarth Speak song is for.

These custom songs make great gifts, or to give as a reward for someone’s eco-actions, or as an incentive. If you want one written for yourself as a reward, that’s fine too.

Prices for the custom XOEarth Speak songs on CD range from $35 to $350. Contact Stele.

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explore, honor and receive the wisdoms of our planet’s life-forms