by Bernadette Pleasant

Heal Yourself with Femme!

Femme!, the fusion movement experience that I created, is inspired by African, tribal and free dance, interwoven with somatic and primal healing.

As an African American woman and entrepreneur, I am proud to draw on the traditions of our heritage and legacy of healing arts, dance and music that have changed the world for the better.

You Need An Emotional Release

After a lifetime spent studying different forms of dance and healing, from tribal dancing to Reiki, I have found that nothing inspires emotional release like African drumming. And emotional release is at the core of Femme! and its healing power.

African drums have a deep symbolic meaning and were traditionally used for many ceremonies, from births, deaths and marriages to warrior rituals and rites of passage. In our Femme! sessions, we engage this ritualistic aspect to encourage full freedom of expression.

Built on a heart-rate system, the movement starts out slowly and builds to a peak; then the pace gently subsides to encourage deep relaxation. The heart of the Femme! Experience is the Emotional Tour, where we express the primal emotions of joy, sorrow, rage and ecstasy through movement and sound.

Femme! Is For Everyone

The Femme! community welcomes everyone—all colors, genders, ages and sizes. The typical fitness stereotype is upended in this Experience—with no judgment or competition. This stems from the basic philosophy that underlies my life’s work: It’s your body and you can do whatever you want with it—including love it unconditionally.

In the Femme! studio you are encouraged to raise your voice and speak your truth. This is crucial for people of color and anyone who has ever known what it is to feel marginalized, pushed aside, unheard. But you don’t need to be in the studio to live this credo.

Take The First Step To A Femme! Life

Here are a few steps you can take on your own to lighten your emotional load and reclaim your power:

Move your body any way that you enjoy as often as you can: dance, walk, run, bike, swim, take yoga and other classes—whatever moves you.
Seek out opportunities to dance to African drumming and other music that speaks to your soul—it’s a release like no other.
Walk with friends and relatives before and after meals together. Walking and talking is the best way to relate while getting healthy exercise.
Don’t be afraid to acknowledge the negative emotions. Feel free to speak out and acknowledge your full range of feelings.
Honor where you are emotionally. Be willing to say any of the following to take care of yourself:
-No, thank you
-You’re no longer invited
-I’ve had my fill
-I am unable to keep this commitment
Brighten up your day by wearing clothing that expresses your personality and makes you smile.
Instead of buying more “stuff” for friends or loved ones who don’t really need it, treat them to a movement class or massage, or a night out dancing.
If feasible, invest in a retreat getaway that focuses on wellness. It will make you far happier than any new “stuff.”

Get Unstuck!

Once upon a time, I was stuck in my body and my life. But I always knew I wanted more, and ultimately found my way to a life of freedom and fulfillment.

Now I invite you to step (or dance) out of your comfort zone and take the first steps to leading the fuller, freer life that you deserve.

About the Author

Bernadette Pleasant is the founder of Femme!, a fusion movement experience. She has spent a lifetime exploring celebrations of the mind and body, from sensual dance to somatic healing.

As a woman of color who comes from an esteemed tradition of natural healers, she is recognized as a leader in the mind-body wellness realm. A gifted healer, dancer, speaker and entrepreneur, Bernadette travels globally to lead Femme! workshops, retreats, and teacher training, as well as speaking at conferences and special events.

She is known for channeling her personal journey and empathy into transformative, immersive experiences that empower people of all genders, ages, sizes and fitness levels.

For more information, please visit LiveFemme.com.

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