Biodanza with Julie
September 10th 6:30 - 8:30pm -Tara Yoga - Novato
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Learn to fully dance with life
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(Re)Connect with your essence.
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Embrace all that you can be.
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Discover an embodied process of integrating
human potential that promotes whole health
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Develop your heart intelligence through
transformational group experiences
induced by music and movement

WHAT IS BIODANZA?
Biodanza often referred to as "The Poetry of Human Encounter" is a transformative somatic practice that revolves around the principles of health, wellbeing, and the reconnection with our desire to live fully. It not only nurtures our physical bodies but also reclaims and integrates the various aspects of our selves, allowing us to reclaim the wholeness of our being. Through a series of exercises, biocentric dance stimulates five essential dimensions of human potential, propelling us towards a more vibrant existence. In essence, Biodanza is a transformative journey towards self-discovery, self-expression, and self-fulfillment. It is an invitation to embrace our innate potential, to live life to the fullest, and to create a joyous and meaningful existence.
Biodanza is an integrative method for personal growth and wellness that uses music, singing, movement, and group interactions to create meaningful transformational experiences that can unlock genetic potential and nurture a richer connection to life.
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Biodanza supports overall health by helping the body self-regulate and repair through its combination of enjoyable lively playful dances as well as deeply relaxing, trance-like states that reduce stress and restore balance.
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Through its dances and movement exercises, individuals can also improve their relationship skills, and develop a deeper connection with themselves, others, the world around them.
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In addition, it helps individuals reconnect with their innate instinctual wisdom, essential for surviving and thriving.
Bidoanza amplifies our vitality, enabling us to truly feel alive. Additionally, it unleashes our innate creativity, empowering us to shape and manifest the life we truly desire.
Furthermore, life-centric dance facilitates the expansion of our hearts, fostering a deep connection with ourselves and others. It encourages us to open ourselves to love and friendship, creating profound bonds that transcend the limitations of our individual existence.
It also invites us to savor the pleasures that life has to offer, allowing us to fully embrace our sensuality, unlocking the profound connection that arises from honouring our bodies and their desires.
Lastly, Biodanza guides us to connect with something greater than ourselves, tapping into the vastness of the universe and the interconnectedness of all beings.
What happens in a class?
The classes consist of a sequence of 10 to 14 dance/movement exercises, all of which are first explained and often demonstrated by the facilitator, who will then invite you to do them in your own unique way, inspired by the music and the suggestions given.
What kind of music do you use?
We use a wide variety of music types, genres or styles. We select music that triggers positive emotions and an instinctive rhythmic response (a strong desire to move along to it), e.g. Brazilian samba, traditional jazz, African drums, tango, Latin, classical, etc. In the first part of the class we use music that stimulates vitality, action and vital energy. In the second half we use relaxing music that helps to rebalance the body.
What do you actually do?
Introductory classes focus on recovering the capacity to move, because in general many people arrive feeling tense and thinking that they can’t dance. We have playful dances to help break the ice and stimulate natural, spontaneous movements. We also practice sequences of simple fluidity exercises to helps us decelerate and flow with life. We dance alone, as a whole group, in pairs and in small groups. All dances are done ‘in feedback’, i.e. nobody does what doesn't feel good. Whatever your age and fitness level, Biodanza is for you. It's easy, fun, and will leave you feeling happy, energized and alive.
Like chocolate, this process cannot be described, it needs to be tasted! So come try it on and see how it feels.
Wear comfortable clothes, bring some water to drink, and bring your friends too!
(Above Description of Biodanza by Facilitator / Didacta Paola Jardim)
What Brought about Biodanza?
"I was interested in creating a system to stimulate the joy of being alive, to enhance the integration between mind and body and to reinforce the connection between human beings"
~ Rolando Toro, creator
Videos
Testimonials
"What a gift Julie's Biodanza class is. I can't find words to describe the wonderful feelings joy, happiness, love and gratitude that are all mixed together. Julie brings a group of ordinary people together as one, our souls shine bright, we bring forward the best we can offer to make this world a better place." -M.M.
Do yourself a favor... join us! You’ll be amazed!- M.M.
“Julie is a stellar, fun facilitator! It took several hours after class for my cheeks to begin returning to their regular happy smile—rather than the permanent-feeling, ear-to-ear smile of pure JOY that seemed to radiate through every cell of my body! Clearly, this is a true sign of being ‘Biodanzaed to Life!" - C.G.
About Julie

Julie first experienced Biodanza in 2008. The experience lit her up so much that she didn’t miss a single class for an entire year! In 2009, she enrolled at the San Francisco School of Biodanza and became an International Biocentric Foundation (IBF) Certified Biodanza Facilitator.
Julie is a natural at facilitating Biodanza. Her charismatic and loving nature makes everyone feel at home and welcome. She facilitates with warmth, humor and depth. Her ease in showing vulnerability and her inspirational passion for life create a safe haven for her students to open their hearts, connect with their playful nature, express their emotions, and support profound positive changes in their lives.
Education
In 2017, Julie presented her monograph, “The Path from Depression to Joy: Finding My Way Home to Myself Through Touch and Music in Biodanza.” Her ongoing journey with Biodanza has taken her to Canada, France, Portugal, Italy, and Spain, where she has explored several powerful extensions that have deepened both her personal practice and what she offers others.
Her love of music, vocalization, and rhythm led her to The Voice and Percussion extension with Sergio Cruz. Through vibration, rhythm, movement, and sound, she learned new ways to help people liberate their voices, awaken authentic expression, and experience the body itself as a powerful instrument.
Julie trained in Biodanza for Organizations with Liliana Viotti, learning how to bring vitality, creativity, cohesion, and genuine human connection into professional environments.
Her desire to understand the connection between instinct and identity led her to Biodanza Identity, Instinct and the Four Animals with Antonio Sarpe. Through the archetypal energies of the tiger, hippopotamus, snake, and heron, she learned how to help others reconnect with their instincts and embody qualities such as strength, groundedness, sensuality, adaptability, lightness, and vision. This work supports people in integrating these diverse energies and expressing them more fully in their lives.
Because Biodanza supports the expression and acceptance of our authentic selves.
Julie continued her studies with Identity and Gender: Deep Femininity and Deep Masculinity, taught by Antonio Sarpe and Helene Levy Benseft. She learned how to guide others in exploring and embracing the deep feminine and deep masculine within themselves—moving beyond limiting ideas about gender and toward greater self-knowledge, authentic expression, and more nourishing relationships.
Moved by her own struggles with self-worth and those she witnessed in others, Julie studied Biodanza Identity and Self-Esteem with Helene Levy Benseft. Through this extension, she gained a deeper understanding of how to nurture self-love, strengthen a person’s sense of worth, and some very interesting learning about low self esteem, human qualities and growth.
Julie also had the extraordinary opportunity to participate in The Art of Progressive Class Integration in Biodanza. This training gave her a deepet understanding of how to thoughtfully create and facilitate sequences of Biodanza classes that support maximum growth in ways that are gentle, intentional, and progressive.
Julie holds a BA in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz, with an emphasis on creativity, and spent several years studying movement with Anna Halprin. She has facilitated at Northern California Dance Camp and for Dance4Healing, a study exploring the healing effects of dance for people living with cancer.
Julie is also a Certified Holistic Nutrition and Healthy Cooking Coach, Home Detox Specialist, AromaTouch Practitioner, and Aromatherapist. Some of her passions include jazz singing, belly dance, hiking, and gardening.
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