July 2023 TranscenDance™ Tribune

Welcome to the July 2023 TranscenDance™ Tribune!

Welcome to our inaugural issue of the TranscenDance™ Tribune, your monthly inspirational newsletter dedicated to all things conscious dance, personal transformation, community connection and global happenings!

The TranscenDance™ Tribune is dedicated to nurturing our conscious dance community and celebrating the healing power of the mind-body-spirit connection. You will receive this newsletter on the first Friday of every month, and it will also be accessible online under the Brave Thinking Institute Health & Wellbeing Division website. 

As our TranscenDance™ community celebrates our official month of Freedom, Flow & Aliveness, we celebrate freedom through conscious movement. You’ll hear from Jennifer Joy Jiménez on her story of what inspired the creation of TranscenDance™, and in each Tribune we will feature a trained Facilitator. For July we are thrilled to share about Janet Langmeier, who leads joy retreats and brings TranscenDance™ to her coaching clients and retreat participants to ignite freedom of expression.

You’ll also hear from Mark Metz about the exciting possibilities of how conscious dance is a proven and effective form of medicine. And you’ll discover how you can use the energy of this month (and week!) to help guide you towards your true purpose.

The Movement Set ME FREE
The Story of Jennifer Joy Jiménez:
From Body-Abusing Professional Dancer to Birthing the TranscenDance™ Movement

Modern society, particularly in the Western world, has inevitably created a separation of our mind, body and spirit. But as “spiritual beings having a human experience,” we’re meant to be at one with the beauty of our whole being. Did you know you can experience your body as the chalice of your soul — the sacred vehicle through which your spirit gets to enjoy its human experience?

Conscious dance is a unique movement and healing modality that creates divine expression, and unity among the three aspects of our being. I’d love to share with you my spiritual awakening of how I healed my love-hate relationship with my body, the healing power of conscious dance, and why it’s now my life’s work to share conscious dance with the world, to help make it as widespread as yoga is today, and help millions of people come home to their body temple. And I’d love to invite you into your own deeper healing, and to join this mission!

Healing My Love-Hate Relationship With My Body

Ever since I was a child, I’ve loved to dance. By high school, I had become a devotee of the art form, studying jazz, ballet, modern dance, and multi cultural forms of dance.

Along the way, I had developed a love-hate relationship with my body.

I loved my body for being an instrument of self-expression. I loved the artistry of dance, the way that a simple adjustment in how I moved my head, a shoulder, or even a finger could create a different sense of connection and emotion in my audience.

But as I got older and I became a professional modern dancer, the more I became hypnotized by the mainstream dance world messages, and the more my sense of dislike and distrust of my body grew.

In traditional dance forms, there is a very clear definition of the “right” way to dance, and the ideal body type to strive for. Teachers and professional choreographers spend hours instructing students about the proper form, and stringently demanding tiny tweaks in the pursuit of perfection. It is often taught that true mastery requires a level of physical punishment as one learns to push their body — and mind — to new limits.

Competition is fierce. Most studios and rehearsal spaces are set up so that all dancers are facing a wall of mirrors, so they can watch and correct their form in real-time. The very best dancers are front and center, and everyone in the room is jockeying for the privilege of being recognized as the premier dancer.

And along with this strict definition of what’s right in terms of dance technique, the very clear and limited picture of the “right” body type is the dancer who is long and lean, with a long neck, slender arms, and up-to-your-ears thin legs.

Although you can practice and refine your technique, changing your body type is next to impossible. The dance world is fraught with body-image problems and eating disorders as a result. Dreaming of center stage, dancers try starving their way to the “ideal” body, battling their body’s natural shape, size, and biology in an often-futile attempt to be perfect. A dancer’s body is both her artistic instrument, as well as the very thing that can prevent her from achieving her dreams.

My First Conscious Dance Class

The doorway to a new relationship with my body and dance opened during my senior year of high school, when I walked into Vincent Arjuna Martí’s 4th floor wellness studio in Portland, Oregon, for a Soul Motion class.

Instead of huge mirrors, the studio featured vaulted ceilings, wood floors, and dim lights. Instead of competitive-minded dancers sizing each other up, the artists in this studio looked me in the eye, welcomed me with warm smiles, friendly greetings, and an almost palpable sense of acceptance.

The dance class that Vincent led that day was my first experience in mind-body movement — and a truly transcendental experience.

For the first time since childhood, I experienced the freedom of my body as the chalice of my soul — the sacred vehicle through which my spirit gets to enjoy its human experience.

Under Vincent’s tutelage, I discovered how to let go of the need to dance the “right” way… and instead allow the life force that breathes me to express itself through movement. Conscious dance helped me recondition my body and my emotional state, to generate feelings that are of vibrational match with my higher power. And to remember what it’s like to feel this free and connected to God, twirling in nature and dancing freely.

By the end of the class, I felt as if I had been a caged bird, and someone finally opened the door. I felt so connected to Source, like I was dancing effortlessly through space in uninhibited freedom and in purity of mind, body, and soul. One with my breath, one with my heartbeat, the rhythm of my feet, and harmony with the music. A beautiful symphony of body, soul, beauty and being. 

Although my body was technically “dancing,” the movement wasn’t really about dance at all. It was about becoming one with my God, with my creator. Experiencing a little piece of heaven on earth. As the saying goes, we are spiritual beings having a human experience. Conscious dance allowed me to experience this maxim not just as an intellectual exercise, but as a truth that resonated on a cellular level.

That transcendental, transformational experience in Arjuna’s studio set me on a quest to discover everything I could find in the field of conscious dance — and to forge a new path to a deeper, more loving relationship with my body. I was set free by the movement within me.

Over the next twenty years I practiced several forms of conscious dance, from 5 Rhythms and Soul Motion to lesser-known modalities. I also began my own journey of spiritual awakening, moving away from the professional modern dance world and later my corporate career, to launching my own business as a transformational coach in the health & wellness space. I created my own wellness products, programs and retreats, and TranscenDance™️, an innovative conscious dance modality that is now practiced by thousands worldwide. It is dedicated to helping heart-centered people feel vibrant, energized and radiant, and embody their soul’s greatest calling in life.

I began to receive requests from dozens of students to be able to teach and facilitate TranscenDance™️ to others, as well as conscious dancers who simply wanted to deepen their own personal practice and confident embodiment. So I launched the inaugural TranscenDance™️ Facilitator Training, and today we have 60 (and counting) Facilitators hailing from different countries and backgrounds. They include teachers, doctors, life coaches, counselors, business professionals and others who have joined this global movement.

Discover TranscenDance™️ for Personal and Professional Development 

The TranscenDance™ Facilitator Training is a wellness and personal growth adventure. Whether you choose to attend for personal development and/or professional empowerment, this TranscenDance™ Training is for you if you would love to:

• Feel even more confident in your body
• Bring more joyful movement & conscious dance into your life, and the lives of others
• Move with more freedom, grace & authenticity
• Master your body intelligence
• Live from your core essence

Whether you’re interested in teaching TranscenDance™ or if you simply want personal development and embodiment mastery, the TranscenDance™ Facilitator Training is for you if you LOVE to dance and live freely and authentically!

Our next 3-day Intensive takes place September 8th through 10th, and includes online training to be done in your own time, as well as a full year of support. Spots are limited and are filling up quickly, so if you would love to see if this is a fit for you, click here to learn more about the TranscenDance™ Facilitator Training Virtual Program.

Let Freedom Flow!!!

In this special edition, as those of us in the U.S. commemorate Independence Day Week and express our gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy, we honor the power of dance in amplifying our sense of liberation. Dance, particularly TranscenDance™, allows us to dive deeper into our soul and take our freedom to new heights. Join us as we explore the top three ways dance empowers us and celebrates our innate freedom.

1. Embodied Expression: Through movement, dance becomes a language of authentic self-expression. It goes beyond words, allowing emotions, thoughts, and energies to flow freely. With TranscenDance™, we connect with our whole body and spirit, accessing our highest selves and unlocking freedom within our bodies, minds and souls, irrespective of external chaos.
2. Release and Liberation: Dance, including TranscenDance™, serves as a powerful catalyst for releasing pent-up emotions, stress, and tension. As we surrender to the rhythm and movement, we shed accumulated burdens, anxieties, and inhibitions. The dance floor becomes a sanctuary where we cast off layers of self-doubt and fear, experiencing a profound sense of liberation.
3. Connection and Empowerment: Engaging in movement medicine and conscious dance takes us on a transformative journey within a supportive community. We connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for movement and self-expression. Together, we celebrate our unique identities, fostering a sense of unity, acceptance, and empowerment. Through this collective energy, we tap into the true essence of freedom and independence.

In honor of Independence Day, let us remember the privileges we enjoy and honor those who fought for our freedom. Dance, especially conscious dance like TranscenDance™, enables us to embody our liberation, release what no longer serves us, and connect with a vibrant community that uplifts and empowers. So, let freedom flow, and may dance be our joyful expression of gratitude for the precious gift of freedom.

We wish you a celebration-filled week with movement, connection, and the transformative power of dance!

The Facilitator Spotlight
Shine Your Light

This month we are shining a light on TranscenDance™ Facilitator Janet Langmeier!

Janet is a powerhouse change agent! She’s a trained and certified Life Mastery Consultant, fully authorized TranscenDance™ Facilitator, the co-author of 4 books and a proud grandmother of 9.

Janet recently completed an incredible three-day TranscenDance™ retreat in Colorado, where she was joined by 22 beautiful souls from across the U.S., all united in the transformational practice of movement medicine. And the retreat got rave reviews!

Janet skillfully provided her retreat attendees transformational through TranscenDance™, which included a most powerful Mirror Dance, leading into a mesmerizing night of stargazing and deepening their newfound body and soul connection. 

Among the many memorable moments, Janet shared a particularly cherished highlight—the Dance of Serve. During this enchanting experience, she gifted each participant a uniquely colored chiffon scarf, infusing the world with the radiant energy of love and joy.

Having served as a TranscenDance™ Facilitator since 2021, Janet now looks forward to hosting a delightful fall “DayTreat” called Joy Flow. She has been graciously invited to return to the breathtaking location of Joyful Journeys Hot Springs for next year’s Joy Lift retreat, where TranscenDance™ will continue to play an integral role in the healing journey of all attendees.

Let us celebrate Janet for her invaluable contribution in bringing TranscenDance™ to the world, and for assisting others in embodying their health, well-being, and dreams!

A Note From Janet:

I was teaching TranscenDance™ weekly last year. Now I offer it a couple times a month. I always include TranscenDance™ in my workshops, DayTreats and even when I give a talk. I’m giving a talk at Unity on the Avenue Sunday and they will get a taste of TranscenDance™. I spoke at Unity of the Rockies in April, too.

It was scary to become a TranscenDance™ Facilitator. I don’t think of myself as a dancer, but I love the idea of dancing. The little girl in me really, really, really wanted to dance. I’m so glad I gave into her voice because TranscenDance™ opens my soul to a sense of freedom no other movement modality has ever done. I don’t enjoy exercise, but I love to move! TranscenDance™ gives me so much more than movement… it reveals my soul in Joy!

What I have witnessed with attendees to my workshops, classes, DayTreats and Retreats is that they open up more deeply after the TranscenDance™ experience! The level of energy increases in the room. Participants share more freely. They give life to a bigger vision of themselves after they experience TranscenDance™. And… it happens over and over again!

That’s what I find amazing. I’m always a little nervous with each new event before I start TranscenDance™, and I do it anyway and the TranscenDance™ experience never disappoints… it delivers expansion, freedom and joy every single time!

Celebrating Wins!!!

“I’ve participated in at least 6 of Janet’s events where she has brought TranscenDance™. I find I’m uncomfortable at the beginning every time and then I start to feel the freedom – which, I admit, scares me, too – but that I love feeling. TranscenDance™ takes me out of myself in a way that is very different from Qigong and exercise programs that I have done. It’s Joyful! I keep coming back.” – Hollie Kikel, Certified Life Mastery Consultant, Certified Sound & Energy Healer

Janet expressed how she absolutely loves teaching and now her workshops are even more fun and interactive. “Adding TranscenDance™ to the mix changes the workshops – all my events, really – into a deeper transformative experience. I can see by people’s faces the softening that is happening within.”

Thank you, Janet, for all you are bringing to the world! WE celebrate you. 

Medicine On The Move
By Mark Metz, Conscious Dancer Magazine

Imagine a world where doctors prescribe dance classes instead of pills, where health is seen as a creative process, and vitality is nurtured from within. Recent research confirms the powerful connection between intention, movement, and well-being, sparking a movement for transformative healthcare.

A growing body of thought across disciplines, from quantum physics to holistic medicine, recognizes that all life is energy in motion. The realization that movement, or the lack thereof, is a crucial factor in a life of ease or dis-ease is gaining traction. From addressing physical ailments through chiropractic care to releasing emotional trauma with energy medicine or Reiki, the common thread is the primary role of the mind-body connection in achieving optimal health.

Embracing intentional movement, heightened intuition, and evolutionary nutrition has the potential to pave the way for healthier individuals and a better world. This intriguing trend warrants exploration, particularly as we focus on two areas at the forefront of healthcare reform: dance movement therapy and epigenetic medicine.

Dance movement therapy, which has merged motion with medicine for nearly seven decades, offers significant benefits to both practitioners and patients. It acknowledges the inseparability of the body and mind, and there is a national push towards holistic health practices in education, emphasizing body awareness, dance, and addressing the needs of aging populations.

This therapy represents a paradigm shift in Western medicine, viewing healing as a co-creative process between therapist and patient. Through improvisation and movement exploration, individuals can discover new ways of being. Dance movement therapy is applicable throughout all stages of life, from birth preparation to elder care. It aids individuals facing challenges such as autism, learning disabilities, or sensory impairments, fostering skill development and improved communication. Moreover, it finds applications in treating conditions like Parkinson’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, and more. The demand for licensed therapists is increasing across diverse settings, from healthcare facilities to educational and rehabilitation centers, where dance and movement are harnessed to enhance well-being.

Epigenetic medicine, a field enabling us to choreograph our DNA with intention and love, explores healing techniques that transcend genetic control. It emphasizes energy medicine and psychology, where intention and consciousness take precedence over symptom-based approaches. Techniques like Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) utilize affirmations, acupressure, and eye movements to stimulate energy meridians in the body. Modern science has also confirmed the impact of thought, emotion, and intention on our genes and physical well-being, offering support for what many practitioners have long intuited.

Epigenetic medicine recognizes healing as an ongoing process rather than an event. Notable figures in the field advocate for the transformative power of love and view healing as an instantaneous transformation. The exploration of energetic polarities in practices such as The 16 Ways and The WOW Process provides bridges between the cerebral and somatic realms, empowering individuals to access their creative potential and experience profound shifts in thoughts, emotions, and patterns.

As we continue to evolve as a collective consciousness, moving from fear to love, these tools of dance movement therapy and epigenetic medicine illuminate a path towards a healthier and more vibrant future.

Reconnect with your body through simple somatic techniques:

Five Quick Reconnects

Before you can balance your brain, it helps to be in your body. if you find yourself misplacing things, having accidents, or losing focus, your mind may be separating from your body. Try these simple somatic techniques to reconnect.

1. Alternate nostril breathing: Practice pranayama, a yogic breathing technique that promotes balance.
2. Jumping up and down: Engage in playful jumping to reestablish a connection with your body.
3. “Om”-ing or toning: Utter the sacred sound “Om” or engage in toning exercises to harmonize mind and body.
4. Spinning in circles: Embrace the childlike joy of spinning to regain a sense of presence and playfulness.
5. Graphology: Write backward with your non-dominant hand, tapping into your creative side using the graphology technique.

These articles were written by Mark Metz and originally appeared in the Fall 2009 edition of Conscious Dancer Magazine. Used & condensed by permission.

Sunny days light the way 

Today (July 7th, 2023) is a very powerful “super portal” of 7-7-7!

The 7th month
The 7th day
And the 7th year 2+0+2+3= 7

Spiritual teachers are saying this date is an upgrade in human soul evolution, because of the year also being a 7, with the next super portal not until 2032.  So let’s activate our conscious dance practice today and this week to receive the full blessing available to us.

If you’re interested in exploring the Costa Rica TranscenDance™ Level II Training, email David.Rogers@bravethinkinginstitute.com.

Remember, Jennifer hosts two TranscenDance™️ Global all community classes each month. Our next two classes will occur on July 22nd and August 5th, both at 10am Pacific. Visit BTI.com/Dance to register. 

Be sure to follow us on social media, where you can enjoy short conscious dance break live streams!

• Follow our Official TranscenDance™️ Global page: https://www.facebook.com/transcendanceglobal/ 
• Join our TranscenDance™️ Global Community Facebook Group to share your journey, and explore and see highlights from classes offered by TranscenDance™ Facilitators: https://www.facebook.com/groups/transcendanceglobalcommunity/
• TranscenDance™️ Global On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transcendanceglobal/
• TranscenDance™️ Global On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transcendanceglobal

Until next month, let us embrace the freedom, flow, and aliveness that TranscenDance™️ brings. Through the power of movement, we break free from limitations and connect with our authentic selves. Dance with passion, celebrating the joyous flow of life. May TranscenDance™ guide us on our journey of self-expression, empowerment, and transformation. Keep dancing, keep shining, and experience the beauty of freedom in every step.

With Gratitude,
The TranscenDance™ Tribune Team

Jennifer Joy Jiménez
Cody Wasial
And David Rogers