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.

Renee-Redding-Jones-movement-teacher.jpg

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.

Renee-Redding-Jones-smiling-headshot.jpg

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