When I look back at the course of my own personal growth, what is clear to me is that the deepest and most truly lasting transformations in my well-being were achieved through embodiment practices and processes. I first started to explore this during my studies in Transpersonal Psychotherapy. I have both explored and facilitated the dynamic relationship between the body, the subconscious mind, and the higher consciousness. Regardless of how much I may be fascinated by psychology and the intellect, I have never been as impressed, mystified, educated and humbled as when the body, the heart and the spirit are invited to speak to us, through us.

After graduation I discovered the 5Rhythms practice. In fact, from the first moment I joined that class I have been in love with the dance and its community. I have been transformed by the practice itself, by the art of embodiment, by the sheer joy of dancing and by the love and support of the people whom I now share my dance with.

I was also instantly filled with creative inspiration around the music. I have always loved music and I have been collecting it for over 20 years. From a very early age I have been aware of the profound impact that music can have on people. For me personally, it has the ability to perfectly strike and reflect every emotional chord I am capable of feeling. It has been a language of expression and understanding and it has been my medicine; it restores me, connects me and fuels me.

For a long time I have known that I wanted to DJ but I could never picture myself playing at clubs. Somehow I knew that I wanted to create ‘waves’ where I could play everything from classical to House in one set. So when I discovered this kind of dance, I felt the powerful convergence of 3 major alignments for me: an embodiment practice, a meditation practice and an opportunity to play the music I wanted. This degree of alignment is monumentally fulfilling and inspiring, and once that fire had been ignited I could no longer see myself doing anything else. I am happy and proud to say that 3 years after starting Dance Divine, this is now my full-time passion and I am actively working on establishing Dance Divine events in other communities.

I feel so grateful to be able to extend my passion to you and I look forward to holding space for our collective dance journeys.

With love and gratitude,

Jelena Marda.