Nkechi Njaka
Nkechi Deanna Njaka (she/her) is a neuroscientist, choreography artist, leading mindfulness expert and meditation guide. She is the founder of The Compass, NDN lifestyle studio and co-founder of the sleep app DreamWell. She was a 2017 YBCA Truth Fellow and a 2021 Kennedy Center Artist in Residence. She is currently Esalen Faculty, an Advisor of Chorus Meditation, and a lululemon ambassador for her work in mindfulness.
Nkechi has spent the majority of her life investigating the relationship between the brain and the body and has always felt the significance of their integration. She attended Scripps College in Claremont, CA where she majored in neuroscience and dance and went on to complete an MSc. in Neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh. She is currently a PhD candidate in Creative Research at The TransArt Institute.
PRACTICE STATEMENT
The Art, Science + Practice of Embodied Presence: Healing, Well-Being and Liberation for Historically Marginalized People through Mindfulness, Self-Reflection, Self-Expression and Contemplative Dance
How does embodied presence-based practices support and encourage emotional, inner-personal, and relational transformation and healing within Historically Marginalized People (HMP)?
How does the combination of embodied presence-based practices and contemplative dance reduce the physiological, psychological, and emotional affect of stress in HMP?
If individual healing happens interpersonally within HMP through embodied presence-based practices, can this extend to intrapersonal and collective group healing through contemplative dance performance and witnessed storytelling?
Being well is a "present moment" experience— one of joy, laughter, awareness, appreciation, allowance, curiosity, playfulness, and awe.
What motivates me and empowers my work is the simple reality that when we are not connected to ourselves, we cannot be in a significant, meaningful, present-moment relationship with others or our communities.