The workshops and movement services offered by WriteDanceAdventure help provide individuals, organizations and students with practices to manage their mind, body, and being self-care needs while in community and beyond. As more of us awaken to the fact that our own self-care is essential, we will begin to witness the ripple of positive impact that care has on the social, political and communal spaces of our society and world. Ase.
Do you have an event that you would like to add a movement and meditative portion to? Let us custom design the perfect wellness addition to ensure that your clients leave your live event with tools to help them center, ground and stay on the path that you have set them on (see packages below).
Please note that appropriate travel and accommodation fees are not included in workshop fees, but will apply for locations outside of Atlanta, GA. Parking and local travel fees may still apply for locations outside of the Metro Atlanta area.
We also offer private movement sessions and consultation to custom design an individual workshop or series to meet your organization’s wellness needs. Please contact us at (404) 825-9708 or at NeithSankofa@gmail.com for a personal assessment and quote.
The below workshops are facilitated by Neith Sankofa:
Featured Standalone Workshops
One or multiple workshops can be facilitated according to the needs of the group. The flat fees outlined are based on a group of 10 (except where otherwise indicated) and include a personal journal, light snacks, water and materials for each participant. Additional participants can be added for a discounted fee of $40 each up to 15 total participants (please contact Neith for additional considerations). Multiple workshops can be facilitated within one day (i.e. morning and evening session) at a discounted rate. Sponsoring organization/individual is responsible for locating space to facilitate the movement workshop. Neith will be available for consultation to assist with finding an appropriate location (many nontraditional spaces can be adapted for use). Upon request, Neith can locate and book a local venue for an additional fee. Each workshop requires a set-up time of 20-30 minutes.
Moving with the Energy of Renewal: Release, Empower and Celebrate
2 hour workshop | Investment: $500
This workshop is designed to help release old energy and invite in the new- IN A POWERFUL WAY! In this 2 hour wellness workshop, participants will be led through writing exercises and movements that 1) help release that which no longer serves (includes a “burning bowl” inspired release ceremony), 2) empower participants through elemental (nature based) and African inspired dance, and 3) provide a supportive space to celebrate the renewal process in community.
The workshop will begin with a Circle of Intention exercise designed to create focus and community. Participants will be led in a warm up series that helps them to use their body and mind to create powerful intentions for both the wellness workshop and their individual lives. During the empowerment dance portion, variations will be modeled for ability inclusiveness (to include a chair based variation). The celebration portion is a primarily “free expression” dance section (with plenty of encouragement, motivation and shared dance opportunities with the facilitator). Cool down will be based on yoga and modern dance stretching followed by an optional group sharing and a Circle of Connection (quiet meditation in community).
Creating Body Mantras for Awareness, Freedom and Power
2 hour workshop | Investment: $500
In this 2 hour wellness workshop, participants will connect with their bodies using exploratory dance movements, affirmations and targeted stretches designed to tune into the messages of the body. The workshop will begin with a Circle of Intention exercise designed to create focus and community. Participants will be lead in a warm up series that helps them to use their body and mind to create powerful intentions for both the wellness workshop and their individual lives. They will be lead in a fun and empowering movement series that will raise awareness about the areas of their bodies that may require additional love, care and attention. Variations will be modeled for ability inclusiveness (to include a chair based variation).
After focused journaling time, they will participate in targeted stretches, coupled with affirmations of wellbeing, that can be integrated into their personal self-care routine. Cool down will be based on yoga and modern dance stretching and followed by optional group sharing and a Circle of Connection (quiet meditation in community). Each participant will receive a packet that includes a stretch guide, affirmations and encouragement to expand their awareness of their bodies on a daily basis.
Moving in Advocacy: Balancing your Divine Mission and Self-Care
2 hour workshop | Investment: $500
The rapidly evolving landscape of our society requires special attention to the need for adaptive self-care among activists and advocates. In this 2 hour movement/wellness workshop, participants will be lead through movements that focus on Inspiration and Self-Care using a combination of music with messages of ‘changing the world’ and ‘taking time for self’. The workshop will begin with a Circle of Intention exercise designed to create focus and community. Participants will be lead in a warm up series that helps them to use their body and mind to create powerful intentions for both the wellness workshop and their individual lives.
The main portion of the workshop will combine movements that mirror the inspiring messages of the music, symbolizing the importance of balancing the divine mission of your life and personal care. The 3 movement focus areas are 1) creating change through your Divine mission 2) creating time for self/self-care, and 3) a free dance section where participants will be invited to find their own balance of movement. Variations will be modeled for ability inclusiveness (to include a chair based variation). Cool down will be based on yoga and modern dance stretching and followed by a Circle of Connection (quiet meditation).
I Am Light: Honoring the Divinity of Our Sacred Womanhood
2.5 hour workshop | Investment: $650 (includes up to 15 participants).
In lieu of journals, participants will receive a wellness packet with a guide to the sacred movements learned, affirmations and a small remembrance gift for each participant.
This 2.5 hour performative wellness workshop features an opening performance by Neith Sankofa and closing (collective) performance that includes all participants. The opening performance will feature several sacred womanhood movements that participants will be taught throughout the workshop. Following the opening performance, participants will be lead in a Circle of Intention exercise designed to create focus and community. Participants will be lead in a warm up series that helps them to use their body and mind to create powerful intentions for both the wellness workshop and their individual lives.
Participants will then be instructed in movements coupled with affirmations that bring attention to the importance and power of remembering our sacred womanhood and its inherent “light” for our Divine missions. Variations will be modeled for ability inclusiveness where possible (to include a chair based variation). The participants will be provided an opportunity to showcase what they have learned in a powerful communal performance with Neith at the end. Cool down will be based on yoga and modern dance stretching and followed by Circle of Connection (quiet meditation).
Our Animal Friends: Children’s Movement Session
45-minute workshop | Investment: $175 (up to 15 children per session ages 5 and up)
This movement session is designed to provide camps, schools and afterschool programs with an affordable body awareness and movement session for their students/children. The session starts out with a friend circle where children are lead in a fun activity where they introduce themselves using a movement they choose. They will then be lead in a body awareness and stretching exercise where they are introduced to all the ways the body can move featuring the movements of our favorite animals friends like the tiger, snake, turtle, eagle and others that they will choose. The session will end with stretching, sharing and a moment of quite reflection.
Note: Program adults must be present to assist with children that need assistance adjusting or do not wish to participate. Neith has a current State of Georgia background check. Please contact us for additional details at (404) 825-9708 or at NeithSankofa@gmail.com.
Sankofa Healing and Embodied Scholarship Educational Movement Session
1 hour workshop | Investment: (Sliding scale based on program budget) $300 Value
This educational workshop offering is designed for organizations and groups that service Middle and High School students. It teach them about the principles of Embodied Scholarship and The Sankofa Healing Modality (created by Neith Sankofa) and features the work of dancer, activist and scholar Katherine Dunham as a model of these principles. The session includes a PowerPoint presentation, question and answer period, and an “embodying the four elements” movement session. Variations will be modeled for ability inclusiveness (to include a chair based variation).
At the end of the session students will:
- Know the basic components of Embodied Scholarship
- Understand the definition and symbolic meaning of “Sankofa”
- Identify the pillars of the Sankofa Healing Modality and how they relate to self-healing
- Recognize some of Katherine Dunham’s contributions to dance, scholarship and activism
- Engage the principles of Sankofa, Embodied Scholarship and Sankofa Healing through movement in supportive community
Recommended group size is 10-30.
Note: This session is also available for presentation at dance studios and as a University classroom or breakout session lecture. For lecture requirements, we will discuss the article “Embodied Scholarship: Katherine Dunham Modeling the Retrieval and Transformation of African Ritual Dance” by Neith Sankofa. Published in Conversations Across the Field of Dance Studies: Talking Black Dance: Inside Out Outside In. Volume XXXVI by the Society of Dance History Scholars (Duke University) 2016.
Live Event or Custom Workshop Consultation:
Whether you want to add a wellness section to your live event, custom design a workshop for your organization, or bring a movement session to your gym or studio, we are here to assist you in creating exactly what you need.
Live Event Opening (Centering) Session:
30 minute session | Investment: $150 (plus travel and parking fees as appropriate)
The best events and workshops are those that have audiences that are ready to receive the information that has been mindfully prepared for them. Our Opening (centering) movement sessions for workshops and live events use the transformative powers of gratitude and intention to get your event off to an incredible start. The session starts with an awareness exercise that gets your audience to become present through low impact (and fun) movement, light stretching, and statements of gratitude. They will release all that no longer serves by joining in a community statement and coordinating movement of intention for your event (this is chosen by you during our planning and consultation discussion). I look forward to getting your event off to a great start through the initiation of an attentive, centered, excited and fully engaged audience. You will receive a reduced rate if also booking a Live Event Movement Package.
Live Event Movement Package:
1- 1.5 hour workshop | Investment: $250-350 (plus travel and parking fees as appropriate)
Choose from any of our standalone or corporate based wellness packages to suit the individual needs of your live event. Booking includes a phone or Skype consultation to discuss your event. Final price will be negotiated according to time required and based on potential opportunities to market other appropriate services at your event.
Need a custom designed wellness addition? Contact us today at (404) 825-9708 or at NeithSankofa@gmail.com to set up your free 20-minute consultation where we will gather information to assess your needs. To best assist you, please be prepared to discuss location, budget, time allotted for your wellness session (for live events and/or workshops). We look forward to serving you for the highest and greatest good! Ase.
Corporate Wellness Workshop Series (4 session series)
Investment: $1500
An ever-increasing number of individuals and companies are realizing the necessity of self-care. Their awareness of the profound benefits has moved beyond the realm of corporate fitness and nutrition programs. Companies like Google, Apple, General Mills and many others have discovered that attention to the mindfulness of their employees (the space where mind, body and being connect) is just as paramount to the personal health and professional success of their employees as more traditional wellness programs.
Workshop Format and General Information:
Each session includes a warm-up/cool down stretch, deep breathing exercise and a meditative moment (5-7 minutes). Workshops will begin with a Circle of Intention exercise designed to create focus and community. Next we will cover the learning objectives of the session. Participants will then be lead in a warm up and movement series that helps them embody the principles learned. Cool down will be based on yoga and modern dance stretching and followed by a Circle of Connection (quiet meditation). As a result, participants will be able to integrate the workshop focus areas into the day’s workshop experience.
As required, I will model variations for each movement focus area for age and ability inclusiveness (to include a chair based variation). Participants will be lead in a movement series at every session.
At the end of each session, participants will receive a one page “wrap-up” sheet that outlines the focus areas covered. It will also include suggestions for practices that they can do to incorporate the lessons into their everyday lives.
Although this is the general format of the workshops, the focus on intuitive awareness remains formative in the WriteDanceAdventure philosophy. Therefore, adjustments and adaptations may occasionally occur.
Workshop series overview:
This below series was created to assist in the development of a mind, body and being practice. It covers several principles and techniques that will assist participants in getting in touch with themselves, so that they can effectively serve others with conscious and mindful empathy. Essentially, we will be cultivating tools that empower effective action from a place of surrender (acceptance), intention (presence) and positivity (inner peace). These principles not only further the success of the participant’s work, but also ensure their personal wellbeing remains intact along the way. Wellbeing that, without which, their work cannot be consistently and successfully maintained.
Wellness Workshop 1: Tapping into Authenticity and Vulnerability: Allies in Our Personal and Professional Missions
Set-up time: 20 minutes| 60-minute workshop
There are few things more disengaging than a presentation given by someone who is disconnected. It is an occupational hazard, and personally disheartening for professionals seeking the support (financially or otherwise) of their audiences.
In this 60-minute wellness workshop, participants will gain an understanding of why their ability to be personally authentic (to know themselves) and appropriately vulnerable with others, is essential to connecting effectively with their target audiences and achieving their goals. The workshop will explore the principles of uncovering your own witnessing awareness to cultivate personal authenticity. We will also explore the benefits of personal and community based movement to work through feelings of vulnerability.
Movement integration:
- Community based movement practices
- Supporting personal movement exercises
At the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Identify the personal and professional value of self-care
- Effectively use basic breath, movement, and centering exercises for personal self-awareness
- Implore techniques to work through personal and professional vulnerability
Wellness Workshop 2: Moving in Truths: Recognizing Tools and Detours
Set-up time: 20 minutes| 60-minute workshop
Being observant of people, places and circumstances that surround us is an essential tool in heart-centered work. But what happens when we unconsciously filter this information through our personal judgements and justifications…and what can we do to balance it all?
The balance of observation “tools” and mental and emotional “detours” is the focus of this 60-minute wellness workshop. We will create a safe space to explore how to recognize our places of mental and emotional judgment. From there participants will learn how they can use the power of personal and professional intention to accept “what is” and become present to what actions (if any) need to be initiated for personal wellbeing and professional success.
Movement integration:
- Strengthening presence (full body awareness)
- Movement exercises to cultivate acceptance and self- appreciation
At the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Create personal and professional intentions
- Recognize mental and emotional cues
- Be able to cross-check intentions and cues to inform conscious action
Wellness Workshop 3: The Art of Managing Preparation: Counterbalancing Unconscious Roleplaying
Set-up time: 20 minutes| 60-minute workshop
Being prepared to speak to leaders and influencers across many social and cultural lines is a marker of a seasoned professional. Being able to be present, flexible and “in-the-moment” while doing so is a marker of a fully empowered, exceptional professional.
In this workshop, participants will learn how to recognize when they have switched to “automatic” in their interactions. They will be able to discover how to counterbalance the tendency to fall into unconscious roleplaying and authentically engage their target audiences for maximum success.
Movement integration:
- Partner exercises for developing present moment awareness and intuition
- Review and integration of all previous movement based lessons
At the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Recognize the markers of unconscious role-playing
- Initiate techniques to re-center and connect with personal intuition
- Integrate lessons learned to cultivate “in-the-moment” self-trust
Wellness Workshop 4: Holding Space for Your Evolving Story: Harnessing the Lessons of the Warrior
Set-up time: 20 minutes| 60-minute workshop
In this primarily movement based workshop, participants will learn portions of the Nago warrior dance of Ghana to symbolize and embody the tenacity and flexibility needed to continue the work of philanthropy in the world. The dance teaches lessons about the interrelated journey of community purpose and personal evolution.
Movement integration (lessons of the dance):
- Creating space for the work
- Moving towards goals
- Understanding the nature of personal adaptation (evolution)
- Harnessing the fire from within to fuel progress and sustain motivation.
At the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Understand the use of movement in initiating and sustaining motivation
- Create personal movements that symbolize their own goals and intentions
The Light Warrior SiStar Hood 