How might we connect more deeply with the Divine via dance? What can water teach us about the flow of life? And what happens when we combine the two? On the latest episode I explore this rich topic with Venezuelan contemporary dance performer, choreographer, and teacher Juliana Mendonca. Juliana is an innovative bodyworker influenced by Latin Traditional Dances, Butoh, Contact Improvisation and Physical Theater. In particular, water has represented a very important element for her to understand herself, and Juliana has dedicated many years to creating projects and performances inspired by the element of water. These include the music and dance company Raíz de Agua, La Naciente, Drop & Drought, Sono Somatic and most recently, Liquidanza – a relaxation and dance practice based in the water.
In this episode we discuss:
- Juliana's early, formative experiences with nature, and why they made a deeper impression on her than her experiences within the Catholic church
- Juliana's journey through formal dance training and into more experimental, flowing forms of dance, such as the Japanese Butoh dance method
- Her relationship with water, including what it's taught her, and how she understands it as holding feminine energy that can benefit us all
- How we can all deepen our awareness and understanding of the sacred nature of water
Show Notes
- If you’d like to know whose ancestral tribal lands you currently reside on, you can look up your address here: https://native-land.ca/
- You can also visit the Coalition of Natives and Allies for more helpful educational resources about Indigenous rights and history.
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- You can learn more about Juliana and her work at her website, www.liquidanza.com.
- The Venezuelan Goddess Juliana mentioned is named Yara. I couldn't find many good sources about her written in English, unfortunately.
- Juliana referenced Butoh Dance and the Naguchi Taiso method as part of her own dance journey. This article provides more information: https://zenembodiment.com/2019/06/08/body-as-bones-in-a-leather-bag-of-water-exploring-noguchi-taiso/
- Juliana also mentioned Watsu therapy. You can learn more here: https://www.healthline.com/health/watsu
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Mentioned in this episode:
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