embody the rhythm

There is a Need for Healing.  
All people, all genders, all ages, ethnicities, creeds…
We all need the healing medicine of movement.
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We need spaces in which we become so present in the experience of our body’s movement that we forget our heartache, forget our struggles, and remember our Selves. Even for a moment. Even for an hour.
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We need community.
We need safe spaces in which we can collectively align in movement, share in rhythm, and breathe in the company of others … to shed the heaviness, despair, anger, fear,
even if for the moment …
So that the lightness of our being, suspended in air, in rhythm, in movement, can return us to the presence of our own spirit, can grow our resilience, grow our strength, rekindle our fire and most importantly, inspire the actions we take to change the systems that are not working for the good of all. 
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Let’s cultivate the healing energy we generate on the dance floor to go beyond ourselves and take outward into the world. Let’s find more ways to take action together to create the changes needed for all people to be safe, for all people to be free, for all people to thrive.

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As a small step toward collectively channelling the healing medicine of movement directly toward social change – $1 from each student in our Tuesday dance classes in 2019 will be donated to these important initiatives
here in Maine and in Guinea:

For Us By Us (a fund for POC, by POC) in Maine. Learn more here:
https://www.patreon.com/forusbyus/posts 
Black Girl in Maine (BGIM media) – education, awareness, participation: 
https://blackgirlinmaine.com/
Hamana Arts Center (school for traditional cultural arts) in Guinea, West Africa:
https://www.gofundme.com/hamana-arts-center-project
Youssouf Koumbassa’s School for traditional cultural arts in Guinea, West Africa.
(link coming) 

Check out the important work of each organization and consider donating directly, by visiting the links provided above.

Movement, Music & Community

While we are dancing through precarious and trying times,
we also have new beginnings to celebrate.
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Let’s continue to come together, build community, hold each other up and knit our neighborhoods together, celebrate one another and create space for the light to grow within each individual.
Let’s reach beyond preconceived boundaries and learn from one another.
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Come dance.

Tuesdays, Fridays and some Saturdays! (link here FMI)
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Nobody turned away for lack of funds. Barters and discounts available.
All bodies, all genders welcome.
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See you on the dance floor! Welcome 2019!

Do you have plans for staying warm and inspired, active and connected this winter? Come beat the winter blues with a community you can groove with!

Movement and music are languages that transcend words, helping to build intercultural understanding and connection.

Movement and music are medicines needed by all.

GIVING BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF GUINEA:

DECEMBER 4 – Right after dance class, POTLUCK PARTY & DONATIONS COLLECTION for Namory Keita’s annual winter trip.

Dance class 6-7:30pm, Potluck Party 7:45pm on,
Portland New Church, 302 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME

 What you can bring:

• A dish or beverage to share and extra paper plates/cups if you have ’em (silverware provided – let’s keep it compostable/recyclable)
• Donations of over-the-counter first aid supplies and children’s summer clothing to be delivered in the villages.
• Financial contributions for the Hamana Art Center – This is a school Namory is building in the beautiful Hamana region of Guinea. Here masters and students from around the world will come together to exchange, teach, perform and study the traditional arts of the region. Photos of the school building progress:
   

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  You can also support this project online, at this link:
  Hamana Art Center

DRUM CLASSES with ANNEGRET BAIER

TUESDAY DANCE CLASS CONTINUES YEAR-ROUND AND IS GENDER-INCLUSIVE:

• DID YOU KNOW? To encourage gender diversity on the dance floor, 1st Tuesday of every month is just $5 for male-identified and gender-non-conforming dancers. Dance is good for all bodies.
  We start a new dance every 1st Tuesday.
• Our last Tuesday class of the year will be December 18, 2018. Winter weather cancellations are posted on the top of this page, and on our facebook page (see link below)
  
• Our Friday morning series continues through December 21st (open to drop in. See classes page)

GIVE THE GIFT OF DANCE:

• Purchase a 4-class or 8-class pass for someone you love (including yourself!) at this link:  Embody the Rhythm Store 

MORE DANCE CLASSES COMING SOON! 

• Stay tuned for dance offerings for children/families, and new adult classes, coming soon – Subscribe to this newsletter by entering your email in the box on upper right. 
  

  Click Here for Weekly Dance & Drum Class Details

Embody the Rhythm on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/EmbodyTheRhythm/
Embody the Rhythm on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/embodytherhythm/

A special thanks Kendra Smith of Mainer Media, for the video in this post.