anba dlo continued...manifesting

"Do not lose hold of your dreams or aspirations.
For if you do, you may still exist but you have ceased to live."

When Spirit calls for us to go Anba Dlo - Beneath the Waters, to reflect, tap into our creative self, manifest thoughts, dreams and desires, heal, transform, cleanse + refresh with sweet waters: LISTEN!
I surrendered.
Went under.
2 Days.
Solitude can be a lonely space, but it is necessary for reflection and growth.
I listened.
I looked in the mirror.
Cried... the ugly cry.
Wrote a list.
Personal Development.
Creative endeavors.
Travel.
It became LONG...an entire page!
What a blessing.
As the list grew, so did my strength and motivation.

As a result...
Dancing Spirits: Female Lwa Embodied through Movement, Song, Writing & Ritual Series was birthed.
This is an intimate workshop where participants will have the opportunity to retreat inward, channel, heal, learn, write, affirm, inquire about Lwa + Vodou, sing and of course DANCE!


At that time in my life, my treasures were at the bottom of the sea, but La Sirene taught me to:

Go Under.
Get Those Spiritual Secrets.
Come Back Up.
Manifest Those Projects & Receive The Riches!
NOW!
I give thanks for the lessons.
I have work to do.

I give thanks for the beautiful group of women who showed up to the first session honoring La Sirene.
They didn't know what to expect. Truthfully, I too didn't know: I went with the flow. We flowed. Together. In the spirit of La Sirene. What is true is that Haitian Vodou is rich, healing and serves a purpose. It is a privilege to move from the dance studio to create sacred space for individuals to learn, honor the traditions and most importantly honor SELF. Thank you for trusting this process as my spiritual journey continues. Ayibobo.

Testimonies!

"Giving thanks to the Creator for sending divine beings in my life who exude so much love, light, strength and courage. It felt so good being in a safe sacred space to just BE and Feel. This spiritual workshop was so necessary on so many levels!! I love what you’re doing. Your authenticity, love and creativity really shows!! I had a blissful experience learning new moves, song, altar etiquette and cleansing!! Ayibobo!"

"Thank you Portsha for being committed to the work and your path and for sharing your journey; holding space for us as women to tap in, to reflect, to explore, to heal, to manifest, to transform, to empower, to honor our ancestors and SPIRIT. To uplift Haiti through song and dance. There are many things I could say but my heart and spirit is still full."

"Thank you for listening and loving spirit as you continue to share and inspire others through your destiny/passion. Your workshop tonight was transformative. Bless you!"

Last month I attended Rara Tou Limen's first workshop dedicated to honoring the Female Lwa in Haitian Vodoun. We danced, sang, and gathered with the energy of La Sirene, explored her watery realms, and the abundance of riches that comes from diving deep and doing the hard work that is only yours to do.

The workshop setting allowed the time for lecture and discussion, as well as sharing of experiences, and discovering what brought each of us to the space that evening. It was revealed that we all had in common a deep respect for the culture, our ancestors both blood and given, and the spirits, and a sincere desire to learn more and become more connected to our roots.
We moved with wisdom and humility, and the knowledge that through the dance and the drum come healing. The space offered the opportunity to ask questions and receive the answers.

I thank Portsha, a powerful and beautiful dancer, a community leader, dance company director, choreographer, creator, artist, educator, sister, and friend, a priestess, and a devoted student of the Vodoun tradition that has called to her so strongly, for opening this space and for her generous offering to share her experience in ways that uplift and empower us all to do our work and our own healing. This is serious work! ...and again and again, she finds ways to multiply the blessings, and does it with grace, ease, authenticity, and the seriousness that we need from our leaders.
I know that every workshop will be different, because that's how it is working with nature and spirit!