a dancing response to the U.S. election

No matter where you live or what your political leanings are, I think we can all agree that this election season in the U.S. has been a time of heightened fear, anxiety, stress, and for many of us, deep sadness and shock. In my opinion, we need dance, creativity, and authentic self-expression more so now than ever before - to heal ourselves and to heal the world.

There was some hesitancy on my part before sharing this with you, since I don't normally talk about politics on Creative Fridays and I know our news feeds are FULL of all of it lately. Please know that what I'm about to share is about way more than being for or against who is president - it's about our responsibility as individuals to make this world a better place by starting from within and being true to ourselves.

Here's what I know:

I don't want to be part of the hatred. I don't want to be part of the violence.

I want to take responsibility for my emotions and feel them, process them, in healthy ways (i.e. not directed towards anyone, but just simply expressed and released.) I want to feel the pain so that it can be transformed.

I will take ACTION towards the values I believe in. I refuse to be a victim.

There is a much bigger calling in the world right now, and it's going to require us ALL to choose love over fear and direct our passions towards meaningful causes that will uplift the world.

Artists, the world needs us.

Do what you need to do: mourn, cry, scream, and release the rage that is burning inside you. (Or celebrate if that's your thing.) And then go create something new with it. Create and bring people together with your creations. Remind your children that the world is their canvas and that their dreams matter. Remind yourself that.

In Hillary's powerful words: "Our campaign was never about one person or even one election. It was about the country we love and about building an America that is hopeful, inclusive and big-hearted."

And now we have some dancing to do.

If you resonate with what I'm sharing and feel called to dance with me as you work through this time, I'll be hosting a live dance break in my You Can Dance Again facebook group  11/11, starting at 11:11am EST.

There will be dance facilitation and discussion, guided by the theme of my Pop Goddess dance program this week: channeling the goddess Kali and the depth and divinity we can access in ourselves through dancing. It's about breaking shit down before we can rebuild and create again.

Pop-goddess musical appearances by Beyonce, Adele, Andra Day, Banks, and many more moving artists to help us process the tough stuff and rise up once again.

Click here to join us.

I'll also be leading in-person versions of this in NY & LA - stay tuned for details via email.

While I normally only teach this topic as part of the 4-week program, I was called to create this bonus free version for the public in light of recent happenings here in the US. Feeling called to unite us together through dance more than ever.Hope to see you there.

Dancing into the answers with you, Jess