What do Pastel De Nata and dance have to do with each other? Not much other than I did get to try many on a recent teaching trip to Portugal, they are a yummy specialty in the region!
This trip was the other half of an international exchange with Alicia Soto from Horjarsca Dance who collaborated with Dance Entropy/Green Space with the Community Dance Project program in September of 2025.
I was excited to bring my Skimming the Surface®: Movement Healing Workshops to students at Institutu National de Artes do Circo and Ekun Circo Social.
I could have never guessed this work would make its presence in the circus world. It proved to be a new experience of healing and embodiment for participants and resulted in some real deep profound insights, for many.
These movement-based workshops are designed to help participants release blocked energy that maybe causing stress and discomfort in one’s life by integrating movement, feelings, and emotions.
“Thank you for guiding us so intuitively and with so much gentle strength. I felt very safe to let myself go in your hands and encouraged to go all the way. I feel very lucky for this experience”
Additionally, I taught my signature “Dance Your Frame” Technique class to the 3rd year students of Ballet Teatro a conservatory offering all sorts of dance to emerging movers. The dancers experienced the fundamentals of the Erick Hawkins technique and more through bits of VG/DE choreography. I was proud to bring this historical American modern dance training with all its under and over curves to the learners, and inspire them to move from their center and pelvis while using their full body and energy to dance their frame.
The trip was rounded out with a bit of vacay as well, as I toured beautiful historical castles, palaces, old cities and more. It is beautiful country. I am feeling blessed to share my teaching around the world.
