For several reasons, I hadn't felt ready to shift into online teaching. COVID-19 suddenly rendered my life of in-person, all-over-the-place, instruction impossible. Nearly an entire year of work was abruptly canceled, my father died suddenly and unexpectedly, and I felt it inappropriate, nauseating even, to promote myself amidst the collective pain in the world.
I didn't want to switch into a new teaching format without rethinking why I do what I do.
I've been asking myself, 'What if the energy I spend teaching, and the energy people release in class could somehow do more?' I wondered how to use my gifts to benefit those who don't have the ability, access, or resources to get to movement studios. All of my prior ideas felt good, but too slow. They felt years away.
This week, I found an answer.
I'm starting by giving back where I am most connected. Specifically, I'm raising funds for pole dance studios who have been walloped by COVID-19. A lot of movement spaces won't make it through this. Some have already closed, unable to recover from the losses associated with closing for months. I wouldn't be who I am as a person, mover, or a teacher, without movement spaces. I have quite literally grown up, forged my most important relationships, found belonging, purpose, and love, in dance classes.
The business that I'm supporting first have had me as a guest in their space multiple times are known to be inclusive of all different races, gender expressions, and body types, and are open to diverse approaches to pole dance.
Soon, I'll be collaborating with more incredible instructors to raise funds for Black and Indigenous humanitarian organizations. I recognize that many people are suddenly fundraising for these causes, and jumping on the helpfulness bandwagon can appear "opportunistic," as my buddy Dalijah Franklin pointed out. Bit by bit, 2020 has seared the need for change, starting at the individual level, into my awareness. And in the past few weeks, changing how I serve has moved from “important” to “urgent”.
I also recognize the dangers of feeling like a "one and done" effort is enough in the fight against racism and other injustices. It's not. A single fundraiser is far from adequate.
That's why I'm creating a non-profit online (for now) movement school where class tuition goes directly to organizations that support planetary (human and non-human) health. Attending a class means that when you invest in your education and well-being, you financially support benevolent organizations, and you learn about the cause you are supporting.
I have a lot of groundwork to lay, but I don't want to wait until I have something visually presentable to start helping out. So, classes start tomorrow. My first class will be sensual pole flow: a barefoot exploration of continuity, rhythm, and touch. 100% of proceeds go to benefit my Boulder pole home, Vertical Fusion, graciously run by Melanie Piek. Gradually, I plan to give a platform to many different forms of movement, so look out for some atypical offerings : )
A few loving people have reached out and how they can support me these past months. These questions have touched me, but I didn't have an answer. My livelihood, health, and personhood weren't on the line, whereas plenty of other peoples' still are. Though I’ve studied dance and movement for thirty years to be where I am, I also arrived here with handfuls of advantages.
So, here's what I need first. I need spaces of movement to survive. Concurrently, I need spaces of movement to realize their power. Movement classes shape lives. They help people form their bodily identity and sense of worth. This is not a power to take lightly, though, as I hope to reveal through my work, it can be honored through humor and play.
I need studios to use their power to uplift and support all types of people, especially ones that fall outside of their typical demographic. I also need studios to make what they stand for known--so that people understand what they are supporting by attending class.
I'll keep you updated on this project as it develops. Right now I am both frightened and excited. Every time I talk about this i start crying because it feels so right. I am stepping well outside of my comfort zone with this, but I am here to learn.
I believe there are ways to expand the economy of movement instruction so that it also benefits lands and people that need protection, liberation, and space to thrive. All significant changes involve movement of some kind, and the power of people moving together, for an extrapersonal cause, cannot be overlooked.
Thank you Meredith Greisman, Ki'ilani Spencer, Kenneth Kao, Màrion Crampe, Emily Sanderson, and Nadia Sharif for telling me you believe in me, and this idea.
