SEEDs (self-esteem, empowerment, and education through dance) is an internationally recognized bellydance and mentorship program, originally founded in 2001 by Myra Krein in Santa Fe, New Mexico. After seeing so much success in Santa Fe, Myra began an intensive teacher training program–and there are now dozens of blossoming SEEDs programs across the globe.
After attending the teacher training in June 2015, local bellydancer Kelsey Eaton bringing this fun and transformational youth bellydance program to Brattleboro. Working alongside her is Devan Moran, a woman’s advocate who works locally to educate youth on healthy relationships, domestic violence, and consent.
The mission of Brattleboro SEEDs is to provide a safe, constructive, loving environment for young women and to mentor them in order to create healthy and strong individuals who are socially and fiscally responsible to themselves and their community. This is accomplished through the vehicle of Tribal Style dance, talking circles, journaling, mindfulness, and community presentations.
Each session will be split in half between dancing and group discussion. During the dancing portion, girls will learn the basics of tribal style bellydance. They’ll learn the “language” of the dance, then put the tribal vocabulary to work with group improvisational dancing. Every girl will learn to lead and to actively follow. During the group portion, Kelsey and Devan will facilitate meaningful discussion about important issues including: self-esteem and body image, bellydance culture and history, consent and healthy relationships, and future plans and goals.
The goals for each girl:
To learn to engage in meaningful conversations with peers.
To make a positive connection with other young women.
To find her own voice and be able to listen to it.
To have better self-esteem, confidence & body image.
The ability to plan and achieve goals, generate choices, create options, resources and support.
To respect, appreciate and be able to care for others in community.
To respect and appreciate diversity and culture.
To be ready to face financial independence.
Brattleboro SEEDs will accept 10 self-identified young women (15-19 years old) in the local community for 8 weeks of after school classes, two hours each, one time per week. The cost to participate is $120 but no one will be turned away for inability to pay. There are 3 full scholarships available for this program.
For more information on how to register or apply for a scholarship, please email brattleborobellydance@gmail.com or visit www.BrattleboroSEEDs.weebly.com
