It began with movement.
For as long as I remember I loved dancing, watching dance, and creating dance. Growing up my love of dance came from watching old movie musicals. Fast forward and my life as a dancer was with choreographers who’s work involved telling stories in a way that involved elements of theater as well as dance and, in addition to teaching dancers, I also love teaching movement and dance to actors.
That brings us to the other part of my life that was clear and divinely appointed early on and that was becoming a teacher. I discovered my love for teaching through my teachers, most notably my third-grade teacher, Mrs. Banks. I knew, and have always known since I can remember, that I wanted to be a teacher.
I merged my love for dance and my desire to teach and began studying dance at the age of 16. Better late than never, because it’s how I arrived at where I am today. When it was time for college, I found one that allowed me to at least minor in dance and that was Morgan State University in Baltimore. I continued my training at Sarah Lawrence College and it was during that time that in my training that the possibility of a performing career was brought into focus. After graduate school, I spent the next twenty years building my career, touring, and teaching.
Over time the balance of my career shifted to bring me into alignment with my true purpose and I began to teach more and perform less. Now with over 30 years in higher education, what I enjoy most about teaching is the interpersonal engagement, which I recognize now as connecting with souls and guiding them towards seeing the light in themselves.
During my time as a dancer, I was introduced to meditation and yoga. That was the beginning of my spiritual development. I became a Destiny Life Coach, a Reiki Master/Teacher, an Integrated Energy Therapist, a Certified Movement Analyst, and studied several forms of meditation. It was all of this work, combined with my self-study, that led me to become a Contemplative Psychotherapist.
Today I combine these skills to help individuals build relationships, create harmonious communal environments within group settings and improve the lives of individuals by reducing stress and anxiety, improving self-esteem and relationships, resolving communication issues as well as processing trauma, grief, and loss.
Love, love, love,
Mama Nay