01/05/2026
There have been great civilizations without the wheel, but there have never been civilizations that didn’t tell stories.
And before we had words, we told them with our bodies.
This week, I had the privilege of teaching at The as part of the ’s 10th Winter Dance Intensive, created by and .
What struck me most wasn’t the talent—it was the joy, passion, and open-hearted commitment in the room.
This is the week when most people hit the snooze button. These dancers showed up early, curious, present, and willing to do the quiet, intimate work of becoming who they’re here to be—and of learning how to _dance their stories_ with honesty and courage.
Watching Alexandra Damiani work with the dancers is truly wild. Her presence is clear, embodied, expressive, and pain-free—but what moved me just as much was her unwavering commitment to creating a safe environment for dancers to take risks. That kind of safety is built over years of somatic education, primal movement, and deep respect for the body’s intelligence. In her presence, dancers aren’t just learning steps—they’re given permission to explore, listen, and trust themselves. From that, the movement—and the story—comes alive.
Each morning, all 50 dancers began their day with me on the floor, practicing Primal Movement. Using the ground, breath, and sensory input, we worked to map the body, warm up efficiently, and move with more clarity and power. Rooted in developmental movement, this work is rarely taught in traditional dance culture—and it was powerful to watch its effects carry directly into their ballet classes.
I also had the chance to teach Qigong, a subtle and ancient form of energy medicine—where movement becomes medicine and dance becomes a portal into restoration.
Watching dancers discover a quieter, more nourishing way to care for their bodies was a reminder that longevity isn’t about training harder, but about learning how to soften and receive.
