From Juilliard to Temple Dance: Healing Through Movement with Nathan Hirschaut

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What happens when a Juilliard-trained perfectionist faces chronic illness and complete physical breakdown? For Nathan Hirschaut, it became the doorway to a profound spiritual awakening that transformed his relationship with dance from an achievement-based practice to sacred medicine.
Nathan's story begins with childhood dance competitions and a single-minded focus that took him to the pinnacle of formal training. But beneath the technical excellence lurked a punishing inner critic that eventually led to collapse. "I was a major perfectionist, a massive control freak, and very hard on myself," Nathan shares with disarming honesty. "Take that equation and put it into the highest expectation dance school in the world, and you get a break."
That breaking point initiated what Nathan calls his "journey to the underworld" – a path deepened by his father's sudden death, the loss of his spiritual teacher, and eventually, a debilitating illness that left him bedridden for months. In his darkest moment, isolated and in excruciating pain, he reached the surrender that would change everything. "I was dealing with ideation at that point... I just didn't want to be alive in that body anymore."
What emerged from this crucible was Temple Dance – a practice Nathan now teaches alongside his partner Sah. Unlike performance-based dance focused on external validation, Temple Dance uses movement to release feelings without attachment to identity. "When we lose the possessiveness and grip of our identity, that's when freedom happens," Nathan explains. "The dance becomes joyful when we let go. That's when it becomes worship."
Drawing from Buddhist philosophy, somatic awareness, and his extensive movement background, Nathan guides others to discover what he calls "the vastly intelligent body" – one that knows exactly what movement it needs for healing. His work stands as powerful testimony that our greatest breakdowns often become our most profound breakthroughs, if we're willing to surrender.

FIND NATHAN: Instagram, Substack, Temple Dance L.A.

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CREDITS:
Introduction script: Jessica Tardy
Introduction mix and master: Ed Arnold
Theme Song: "Heart Light" by Jenee Halstead and Dave Brophy

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Heart Light Media, LLC - Disclaimer

This podcast is presented solely for entertainment and education purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or any other qualified professional. We shall in no event be held liable to any party for any reason arising directly or indirectly for the use or interpretation of the information presented in this audio. Copyright 2024, Heart Light Media, LLC - All rights reserved.

Chapters

1. Introduction to Heartlight Sessions (00:00:00)

2. Nathan's Journey From Dancer to Healer (00:01:41)

3. Spiritual Awakenings and Life Transitions (00:05:05)

4. Chronic Illness as a Transformative Path (00:08:19)

5. Finding Buddhism and New Perspectives (00:14:16)

6. Dance as Spiritual Practice and Release (00:21:07)

7. Letting Go of Identity and Finding Freedom (00:28:30)

8. The Intelligence of the Body (00:36:15)

9. Temple Dance and Closing Thoughts (00:48:39)

10. Outro and Contact Information (00:54:17)