Brave Thinking Institute

July 2024 TranscenDance™ Tribune

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By: Jennifer Joy Jiménez
Updated: July 5, 2024

Welcome to the July 2024 TranscenDance™ Tribune

Happy One Year Anniversary to the TranscenDance™ Tribune!

In this month’s issue, we spotlight Jennifer Joy Jiménez, founder of TranscenDance™, and her transformative trip to Kenya, fulfilling her lifelong dream of dancing in an African village. We also explore the significance of dance in ancient and modern cultures, highlighting its roles in celebration, mourning, and healing. Additionally, we discuss the power of forgiveness in honor of Global Forgiveness Day on July 7, and how conscious dance practices like TranscenDance™ can help achieve inner peace and freedom. As we celebrate Global Forgiveness Day, we also remember to honor the freedoms fought for on Independence Day, July 4th, inspiring greater compassion, peace, and joy. 

You’ll also discover ways to get connected with the TranscenDance™ community with our TranscenDance™ Live Virtual Classes on Saturday, July 6th and Saturday, July 27th (both classes are at 10am Pacific time).

The TranscenDance™ Tribune is dedicated to nurturing our conscious dance community and celebrating the healing power of the mind-body-spirit connection with a new issue every month. Back issues are also available online at https://bti.com/tribune

“We want to give a special Happy Birthday message to Cody Wasial, on July 7th, the creative genius behind the Tribune’s exceptional writing this past year. Your contributions have been invaluable, and we thank you for your dedication and talent.”   -Jennifer Joy Jiménez

Dream Achieved

Spotlighting Creator Jennifer Joy Jimenéz

You may have noticed the cover of this issue is a picture of Jennifer in Africa. We have an amazing DREAM ACHIEVED highlight from Jennifer Joy Jiménez, our TranscenDance™ founder, about her recent trip to Kenya.

What does it mean to dream? Dreams are the seeds of our deepest desires, aspirations, and passions. They fuel our motivation, guide our actions, and shape our destinies. But how do these intangible visions transform into tangible realities? Visualization plays a pivotal role in manifesting our dreams, acting as a bridge between our inner world and the outer reality. By vividly imagining our goals, we create a mental blueprint that guides our actions, attracts opportunities, and aligns our energies with our aspirations.

From the time Jennifer was a young woman, she was fascinated by multicultural dance, especially African dance. She attended African dance classes for several years in her teens in downtown Portland, Oregon. She always dreamed of one day traveling to Africa to dance in a local village with live drums, experiencing the powerful medicine of drumming and dance.

Jennifer and her family-owned life coaching company Brave Thinking Institute have been big supporters of the Unstoppable Foundation. The Unstoppable Foundation helps create sustainable communities in East Africa through the pillars of education, clean water and sanitation, food and nutrition, healthcare, and  income training and empowerment.

Jennifer also dreamed of visiting the villages that were being supported and built through the generous donations given at every one of the Institute’s signature DreamBuilder Live events. Both dreams merged into one life-changing adventure for Jennifer in  June, when she traveled to Kenya with Cynthia Kersey of the Unstoppable Foundation, along with Jennifer’s husband Jorge and their sons. Words cannot begin to describe the impact, transformation, and immense gratitude this experience has left her with. She is forever changed for the better and will be back soon!

Come move with us!

This month, we have two very special opportunities for you to dance with us!

If you’re brand new, TranscenDance™ is an innovative mind-body-spirit modality that infuses the mindfulness of yoga into a free-form, joyful, conscious dance.

There are no steps or “moves” to learn. You simply let your higher self move your body in a dance that’s as unique to you as your fingerprint (or your “soul print”). All ages, and mobility levels are welcome. 🙂 

And if you’d like to take a deep dive into the 10 stages of TranscenDance™, our TranscenDance™ Facilitator Training Virtual includes multi-day Intensive trainings, as well as a full year of Live Virtual Classes. You’ll feel even more confident in your body, while bringing joyful movement & conscious dance even more into your life, and the lives of others. Click here to discover more.

For the inside scoop about the Costa Rica TranscenDance™ Retreat, visit https://bti.com/costarica.

Dance Through Time
Ancient Moves, Modern Grooves
By Jennifer Joy Jimenéz

The Influence of Dance in Ancient Cultures and Modern Lessons

Throughout history, dance has been an integral part of human culture, serving as a powerful medium for expression, communication, and ritual. In ancient societies, dance was more than mere entertainment; it was a profound way to connect with the divine, celebrate life events, mourn losses, invoke natural phenomena, and heal from trauma. As modern individuals, there is much we can learn from these ancient traditions to enrich our lives today.

Dance to Celebrate

In many ancient cultures, dance was a fundamental part of celebrations. Whether it was a harvest festival, a victory in battle, or a communal feast, dance allowed communities to express joy and unity. For example, the ancient Egyptians had elaborate dance rituals to honor their gods and celebrate the Nile’s flooding, which brought fertility to the land. Similarly, Native American tribes used dance in their powwows to celebrate their heritage and community spirit.

Modern Takeaway: Incorporating dance into our celebrations can enhance our sense of community and joy. Whether it’s at weddings, birthdays, or cultural festivals, dancing can help us express happiness and bring people together in a shared experience of movement and rhythm.

Dance to Mourn

Dance also played a significant role in mourning rituals. In ancient Greece, mourners would perform lament dances at funerals to express grief and honor the deceased. The movements and rhythms of these dances helped mourners process their emotions and connect with their community in their time of loss.

Modern Takeaway: Using dance as a form of mourning can provide a healthy outlet for grief. Movement allows for the physical expression of emotions, which can be therapeutic and healing. By integrating dance into memorial services or personal rituals, we can find solace and support during difficult times.

Dance to Bring Rain 

Many ancient cultures believed that dance could influence the natural world. Rain dances were common among indigenous tribes in Africa, the Americas, and other regions. These dances were performed with the belief that they could appease the gods and bring much-needed rain to sustain crops and livestock.

Modern Takeaway: While we may not believe that dance can directly control the weather, the symbolic act of dancing for rain teaches us about the importance of intention and community in facing challenges. Today, we can use dance to raise awareness about environmental issues and bring people together in efforts to protect our planet.

Dance to Heal Trauma

In ancient tribal societies, dance was often used to help warriors returning from battle to rehearse and release trauma. These therapeutic dances allowed individuals to process their experiences and reintegrate into their communities. The San people of southern Africa, for example, have long used trance dance rituals to heal physical and emotional wounds.

Modern Takeaway: Dance therapy is increasingly recognized as a powerful tool for healing trauma. Modern practices like Jennifer Jiménez’s TranscenDance™ integrate movement to help people release stuck energy and emotions. By adopting such practices, we can use dance as a means to foster emotional resilience and mental health.

Our Take-aways:

Ancient dance traditions offer invaluable lessons for modern life. By embracing dance in various aspects of our lives—whether to celebrate, mourn, seek healing, or unite for a cause—we can tap into a profound source of joy, connection, and transformation. Through TranscenDance™, movement can help us unlock our potential, heal our wounds, and live more vibrant, joyful lives.PS: Ready to bring the wisdom of ancient dance into your life? Join us at our next TranscenDance™ class and experience the transformative power of movement. Click here to learn more. Let’s dance our dreams into reality!

Freedom Through Forgiveness
4 Ways to Celebrate
By Cody Wasial

Forgiveness is a powerful tool that can transform our lives and bring us greater peace and freedom. As we recognize Global Forgiveness Day on July 7, let’s embrace forgiveness as a path to better mental and physical health. A study by the University of Wisconsin found that forgiving people suffer less from certain illnesses, while less forgiving people experience more health problems. Withholding forgiveness causes stress, which can lead to physical symptoms like anxiety, high blood pressure, and depression. Holding onto grudges may cause negative emotions and problems with anger and frustration.

“Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness.”
 – Marianne Williamson

Forgiveness can be challenging, but talking to others, writing down your feelings, or speaking to a professional can help. Different perspectives can guide you toward forgiveness. Carrying the burden of pain and resentment costs much more than forgiveness. Developing skills that enable us to forgive is a powerful ability.

Incorporating conscious dance practices like TranscenDance™ can greatly aid in the journey of forgiveness. TranscenDance and other conscious dance forms create a safe space for self-expression and healing, helping individuals to release emotional burdens and find a path to next-level freedom and aliveness.

Here are four meaningful ways to celebrate and embrace forgiveness in your life:

  1. Practice Forgiving Someone – Including Yourself. Forgiveness starts within. Reflect on those who may have hurt you, but don’t forget to forgive yourself for past mistakes. Self-forgiveness can be liberating, allowing you to let go of self-judgment and embrace inner peace. Conscious dance practices can facilitate this process by allowing you to connect deeply with your emotions and release stored tension.
  2. Share Your Experiences with Regards to Forgiveness. Sharing your journey of forgiveness can be healing and inspiring. Talk to friends, family, or even write about your experiences. Your story might encourage others to embark on their own path to forgiveness. Also, In a TranscenDance™ class, sharing experiences and connecting with others in a supportive community can enhance your healing journey.
  3. Accept Forgiveness When Someone Offers It to You. Receiving forgiveness can be just as challenging as granting it. When someone offers you forgiveness, accept it with grace. Recognizing and accepting forgiveness from others can help mend relationships and alleviate the burdens of guilt. Participating in conscious dance allows you to embody acceptance and openness, making it easier to receive and integrate forgiveness into your life.
  4. Dance Your Body, Let It Move You. Let dance be your pathway to forgiveness. Dance can help massage the parts of yourself that need love and forgiveness. As you move, allow yourself to release self-judgment and embrace a newfound inner freedom. Dance your way to a lighter, more liberated self. TranscenDance™, in particular, is designed to help you connect with your body and emotions, facilitating a profound release and transformation.

Celebrate and Forgive

Global Forgiveness Day is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of forgiveness in our lives. Whether you’re practicing forgiveness, sharing your experiences, accepting forgiveness, or dancing to release self-judgment, each step brings you closer to inner peace and freedom. This July 7th, take the time to celebrate and embrace forgiveness, and experience the profound impact it can have on your overall well-being. Embrace the power of conscious dance, like TranscenDance™, to help you on this journey. By moving your body and connecting with your inner self, you can unlock new levels of freedom and aliveness.

As we celebrate Global Forgiveness Day, let us also remember to celebrate our gratitude for the freedoms fought for and kept on Independence Day, July 4th. May these celebrations inspire us to live with greater compassion, peace, and joy.

#GlobalForgivenessDay #IndependenceDay #TranscenDance

TranscenDance™ Facilitator Training

Coming soon, September 6th-8th: You can choose one of two paths.

  • Path A – Facilitator Training (for those wanting personal development, professional empowerment & the ability to teach and facilitate others as a TranscenDance™ Facilitator.)
  • Path B – Personal Training (for those wanting a personal development path.)

To learn more about the TranscenDance™ Facilitator Training visit www.bti.com/explore 

Join us for a full year of TranscenDance™ Live Virtual Classes!

Embrace the empowering essence of conscious dance and step into a brighter tomorrow. Seize the opportunity to immerse yourself in the transformative power of movement by gifting yourself or a friend with our Annual Class Pass, available at https://bti.com/dance. Simply select the next scheduled class and, upon checkout, click the inviting purple button labeled “Want to get your class for just $8?” to unlock access to the Annual Class Pass. Here’s to being one dance step closer to Nursing yourself to your ultimate and best self care routines.

Get social with us!

Feel invited to copy and share this image and tag @TranscenDanceGlobal

AND……

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

TranscenDance™ Directory (alphabetical order)

More Facilitator contacts will be included as we receive contact info and requests to be added.

Until next month, may you connect with the ancient healing practice of dancing with joy, embrace forgiveness with an open heart, and celebrate the freedoms that enrich our lives.

Dancing with you through life,

The TranscenDance™ Tribune Team
Jennifer Joy Jiménez,
Cody Wasial,
Patti Zannis
and David Rogers 

About Jennifer Joy Jiménez

Jennifer Joy Jiménez

Best described as “pure joy in motion”, Jennifer Joy Jiménez is the founder of the Health & Wellbeing Division of Brave Thinking Institute, and she's a world renown transformational coach, international speaker & author, and the creator of the highly acclaimed conscious dance modality, TranscenDance™

Learn More About Jennifer Joy Jiménez

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