COVID times have been a true challenge for all of us. Even for those with relative privilege, and even for those who haven't caught the virus, there's incredible uncertainty and fear in the air. We've had to shift how we plan for the future and how our days roll out. It's all taken a big toll on our bodies, minds, and spirits. 

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The arts have been particularly hard-hit. While the dance field continues to be prolific and resilient, many dancers have found themselves out of work, missing precious years of training and performing, and forcefully separated from the art form deep in their bones and souls.

 

For their part, young people have had irreplaceable years of learning and growing forever changed. They miss their friends and the activities they loved so much. Ever-shifting state and city guidelines have some not knowing what school will look like next month. They face an incredible amount of stress that -- while they are incredibly adaptable -- they don't necessarily have the life experience to know how to effectively manage. Pediatricians are testifying to seeing notably higher levels of stress, and related physical conditions, in their young patients. 

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Young dancers, often astoundingly dedicated to their art form while also excelling in academics and other areas of their lives, find themselves at the intersections of those challenges. If they can get in at all, the studios where they spent hours a week look and feel different. Many of their beloved studios are having to close their doors, due to the economic challenges that small businesses face these days. 

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At the same time, ever-louder, ever-more present conversations on social justice in the public discourse have challenged all of us -- individuals, schools, families, and businesses -- to ask ourselves how we are or aren't contributing to creating a world of true equity for all. Young people ask us questions on these matters that call us to be our wisest, most intuitive, and most loving selves. 

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Mindful Movers is designed to address these challenges -- to make up for lost training time by leveraging the benefits of yoga and mindfulness for technique and artistry, boost the well-being and resilience of young dancers through concrete skills, equip studio owners and dance instructors with similar skills and the ability to foster more harmonious studio environments in the face of all of these challenges -- all in accessible, inclusive, flexible, and affordable way. 

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COVID aside, yoga and mindfulness can foster more resilient and technically stronger dancers who can work in a team atmosphere in a kinder, more collaborative, and artistically skilled way. Let's face it: far before the pandemic, many competition studios could use more kindness, positive collaboration, inclusivity, and elevating artistry over flashy technique. Creating a dance world truly led by those values can happen, one studio at a time. Are you ready to be a part of it?   

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