Revitalizing The Mind-Body Connection For Dancers – Executive Interview With Jenna Wurtzberger
- Oct 17, 2023
- 4 min read
Jenna Wurtzberger is a passionate movement educator focusing on the mind-body connection in dance, yoga, and exercise. Growing up a competitive dancer, she recognized the transformational power of moving her body to music with others. She has developed trauma-informed movement practices for all ages to experience the joy, connectivity, and ease of moving our bodies with intention. She owns Bomiart Movement Society with the mission to educate our bodies, encourage our minds, and empower our hearts to achieve wellness.
Jenna Wurtzberger, Trauma-Informed Movement Teacher
Introduce yourself.
My name is Jenna Wurtzberger, and I have been involved with the dance industry since I was five. Over the years, my relationship with dance has gone through numerous transformations, leading me to call myself a “recovering dancer.”Despite the roadblocks in my journey, I am incredibly grateful for each. These challenges helped me discover more about myself and my purpose in life. Growing up, I took dance classes at a studio in my hometown. I enjoyed the experience of standing at the ballet barre and following the precise instructions given by my teacher. The details and rigors of learning Western dance techniques such as ballet, jazz, and tap fascinated me. However, reflecting on it now, my relationship with dance training was a bit complex. On the one hand, I enjoyed the challenging and demanding nature of the training I received. However, on the other hand, I realized that my dance teachers sometimes used me to achieve their artistic vision, making me feel like an object rather than a human. The introspective evaluation of my adolescence and early adulthood has been a critical driving force in my current pursuit of working with dancers. I take pride in my diverse background in dance, yoga, somatics, psychology, and trauma-informed practices. The physical movement of the body, the intellectual capacity of the mind, and the emotional drive of the heart all play a significant role in my work with dancers. I enjoy sharing tips and techniques with dancers to help them achieve their goals. What is the name of your business, and how do you help your clients?
My business is named the Bomiart Movement Society. The term 'bomiart' has been an essential principle in my life, encompassing body, mind, and heart. Whenever I teach a class or work with a client, I see a complete individual in front of me. I approach my work holistically, recognizing that the mind, body, and heart are interconnected. As a therapeutic yoga guide, I tailor my approach to each individual's unique life experiences, traumas, and training/education. My goal is to help every person reach their wellness goals by using pranayama or breathing techniques, asanas or body postures, and exploring the stories they tell themselves that may be holding them back. Together, we move our bodies and engage in conversation to release any tension and start to make positive changes in their lives.
As a specialist, I guide dancers through a therapeutic approach to movement. I have noticed a disconnection between the body and mind as a trained dancer. It may seem improbable, but due to the aesthetic demands of the art form, dancers often suppress this connection. My goal is to help dancers regain this connection with their bodies in a compassionate and empathetic manner. By doing so, they can achieve more remarkable performance, satisfaction, and overall well-being. What inspired you to start the Bomiart Movement Society?
As a dancer, I noticed a gap in my training and felt the need to address it. Every artist deserves access to the necessary tools and resources to succeed in their chosen career, which can sometimes be challenging. While my physical training as a dancer was top-notch, I found that the social-emotional aspect of my education was lacking. Looking back, many of my struggles and issues could have been resolved if I had the opportunity to work with a therapeutic movement instructor. Having taught dance classes for over 15 years in various settings, I realized I needed a change in my life. In 2017, I embarked on my journey as a yoga instructor and discovered the immense positive impact of trauma-informed yoga classes on my well-being. Unlike my dance training, I found a sense of freedom and agency that transformed my life. My yoga teacher training led me to recognize the healing power of trauma-informed yoga, particularly for the dance community. What is a session like from the client’s point of view?
Clients' sessions are unique and tailored to their specific needs and preferences. I aim to meet the clients where they are and gradually move towards more profound healing together. Each session will include a period of reflection or check-in, movement and postures, breathing techniques, and meditation. Although the wellness modalities remain the same, the session's structure, timing, level of effort, and approach will depend entirely on the client. What services do you currently offer?
I offer both 1:1 therapeutic yoga sessions and group sessions. My clients can attend these sessions in person or online, depending on their preference. I take pride in providing multiple options to my clients to ensure they feel comfortable enough to challenge themselves. Our work together may be difficult, but I prioritize my client's needs, allowing them to explore deeper-held beliefs and movement patterns. As a part of my services, I provide various helpful resources for dancers and dance educators. These resources include recorded yoga sessions, guided meditations, thought-provoking journal prompts, and digital materials supporting their practice.
Although I primarily work with dancers, I am passionate about helping anyone who wants to explore their connection with movement and emotional well-being. My teaching practice is open to all ages and demographics. If you have a body and a desire to move, I would love to work with you as your therapeutic yoga instructor.
What would you say if someone hesitates to start this journey with you?
Each person has a unique journey and timeline in life. Therefore, a therapeutic approach to movement may not be suitable for everyone at this moment. However, if you feel energized, motivated, or curious when learning about therapeutic yoga, it could be your body communicating with you and inviting you on a new journey toward ease, self-compassion, and fulfillment.
