photography by Alex Ribowski
Nava Dance
Nava Dance is a contemporary and holistic dance practice that draws deep inspiration from Western and Central Asian dance traditions. It is also rooted in ancient Shamanic movement languages and rituals. Nava Dance is also deeply inspired by the tradition of devotional whirling and the Path of Love. Each class weaves contemporary and ancient, bridging the two and offering a journey through the physical, emotional, and spiritual realms of being—a call to open our hearts to one another and to the universe.
Nava Dance classes open with intention- driven movement ritual, breath awareness, and grounding energetic practices that help clear the mind and heart, opening us to receive the deep healing energy of the dance. We come together in a sacred community circle to see one another eye to eye, connect heart to heart, and experience a sense of unity. Through community we can access deeper layers of healing and physical/mental/emotional well being.
The “Nava Dance style” is a Contemporary Pan-Central Asian dance genre. Classes include sequencing in both ethno-contemporary movement, as well as traditional Central Asian dances from Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan. We weave together many styles and influences also representing the diversity of our students, and collective.
Nava is a beautiful example of a word shared by the Farsi, Turkish, Hebrew, and Hindi languages. In Farsi and Turkish, Nava means "sound" or "tune." It is also the name of one of the main Dastgah (musical modes) in the Persian and Turkish classical music traditions—a mode that often stirs the heart and expresses spiritual longing. In Hebrew, Nava refers to pleasant, spiritual beauty, and is a common girls’ name. In Hindi, Nava refers to something young or new.
Photo by: Kiran Ambwani Photography shot in a large group dance known as “Attan,” the national folkloric dance of Afghanistan. Montreal, Canada.
Sacred Circle of Dance
Why we always being every class in a circle- At any point in time that we form an intentional circle with connection and eye contact it is an opportunity to create a sacred community space and therefore a beautiful opportunity for gathering the energy, connecting our hearts and sending out blessings and healing to the world.
“Miriam’s classes convey a sense of community, inclusiveness, beauty and grace. I have the most joyful experiences in her classes.
-Maud Engel”