THE INSTRUCTOR
Hi ya'll! I am Shatoyia Jones, Founder and CEO of the Abre Dance Therapy program, as well as social good brand Ordinary x Influence and the First Ladies of Poverty Foundation. Abre Dance Therapy is a program for those who are in need of therapy, healing or a healthy support outlet that can serve to be an alternative to traditional forms of counseling and mental health support. Professionally, I have been in the educational, mental health and communications, performance art and social advocacy fields for 13+ years, and I have no intention of stopping anytime soon. Growing up, I was a quiet, bookworm who was not given the ability to express herself at home without repercussions. Thus, I turned to the arts for not only expression but physical fitness, healing and community building. As someone who gets bored easily, dance affords me endless vocabularies of expression and style, and I am sure to bring this to every audience I serve. If any of this resonates with you, I would love it if you would join me on my daily journey and start your own journey to mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health, self-development and community building through dance and movement. |
DANCE FITNESS FOR THE SOUL
Abre Dance Therapy is a program founded by Shatoyia Jones, Founder and CEO of social good brand, Ordinary x Influence and the First Ladies of Poverty Foundation. The dance therapy fitness class teaches the practicality of dance and movement for artistic expression, fitness, community building and most importantly, mental and emotional well-being.
Touch the body. Calm the Mind. Heal the Spirit.
“Come as you are.” We all are struggling with hurts, pains, wounds, troubles and fears, but rarely do we ever get the chance to stop, face them and find a supportive community to work on an individual journey to healing and positive transformation. You will find a community that fosters self-expression, as well as physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing--through the love of dance and movement. AND OF COURSE, we are going to have a **** ton of fun while we do so!
STYLES OF MOVEMENT TAUGHT & USED
- Partner Dancing
- Social Dancing (i.e. Kizomba, salsa, bachata, cha cha, etc.)
- African and Caribbean
- Hip Hop
- Jazz
- Modern & Contemporary
- Raqs Sharqi, Raqs Shaabi, Raqs Baladi, Danza du ventre (Belly dance)
- Improvisation
Instructed by Shatoyia Jones who has 13+ years of experience as a dancer/mover/choreographer/performance artist, educator and mental health advocate and an expansive movement vocabulary with love for improvisation.
Have you already taken a class/workshop with us? Do you have suggestions for future classes?
Classes and Workshops
MENTAL HEALTH. EMOTIONAL HEALTH. PHYSICAL HEALTH. DIVERSITY & INCLUSIONS. COMMUNITY BUILDING.
A class attendee can expect to enter a diverse and inclusive safe and supportive space of all ages and experience levels to find community, friendship and self-expression while learning different styles of movement, including but not limited to hip hop, modern & contemporary, line dancing, African and Caribbean, ballroom, social dancing, jazz, partner dancing, improvisation, etc. A partner is not necessary; come solo or bring a group of folks!
Cost: Donations ($5-$25--or whatever you are able to give) and basic needs items (see photo in the comments or discussion section). Please have exact cash, paypal or cashapp. Proceeds raised from the class will go towards supporting the causes of First Ladies of Poverty Foundation and Make-It Springfield
For partnerships, sponsorships and collaborations or to teach a class, please click here.
For private lessons or to book Shatoyia to host a workshop: e-mail us
Cost: Donations ($5-$25--or whatever you are able to give) and basic needs items (see photo in the comments or discussion section). Please have exact cash, paypal or cashapp. Proceeds raised from the class will go towards supporting the causes of First Ladies of Poverty Foundation and Make-It Springfield
For partnerships, sponsorships and collaborations or to teach a class, please click here.
For private lessons or to book Shatoyia to host a workshop: e-mail us
The Most Important Impression You'll Ever Make Consists of the Impression that You Form of Yourself." - Shatoyia Jones