Dance and movement are conduits that can help us tune in and heal our lives.

By Carrie Pinsky for www.bellaspark.com

When you meet Leela Francis it becomes immediately apparent that she is extremely comfortable in her own skin. As you listen to her words and watch the way she moves, you sense a tangible mind, body and spirit connection. Her life adds up and everything she says and does is an expression of her vision for the world.

Last October, Leela traveled from California to share her vision at the Loveland Yoga and Core Fitness studio. A group of women came together to experience what Leela calls “The Sensual Heart.” Sharon Madrid, one of the women in the circle, had this to say: “Dancing and spending time with Leela ignited the depth of my soul. I was reminded to be playful, joyful and appreciate the abundance that I have in life. Leela helps women connect with the goddess within.”

Women gathering together to dance can actually change the world.

Leela travels around the globe to create sacred space and dance with women through Sensual Heart events. The Sensual Heart experience is one part fundraising, one part awareness raising and one part dance. A portion of the proceeds goes to aid women in Darfur who have suffered from horrendous acts of violence and abuse. Leela sends support to “sisters” in developing countries. To date her organization has raised over $35,000 to support causes such as Women Thrive Worldwide, Women for Women International and the Women’s Peace Collection.

This is an issue near and dear to Leela’s heart. Far too many women in the world continue to have their sacred sensuality violated through war, wartime rape and sexual violation. Leela works to raise awareness about the plight of women around the globe. Simultaneously, she also strives to raise awareness about how women in developed countries, such as our own, inflict similar harm upon themselves. “The bigger tragedy may occur when women who live in relative states of freedom and abundance sacrifice their own sacred sensuality in order to achieve wealth or status, or by trying to live up to someone else’s standards,” Leela said. “When women fail to live in a state of mind/body/spirit connection, they suffer in many ways such as depression, chronic disease, addiction, eating disorders and poor self-image. This is the violence we inflict upon ourselves.”

Leela believes, “Dance, especially dancing in community, has amazing healing properties.” She was 16 years old when her father died suddenly. Looking back, Leela realizes that she danced her way through that sorrow and grief. Dance allowed her to process and heal from a devastating experience. Leela began to see dance as a way to transform grief into a celebration of life. Her VividExistence Dance experience incorporates movement from a variety of traditions including Nia, Trance Dance and yoga. She believes that by “dancing our emotions” we strengthen the mind/body/spirit connection. “This is key to living in a state of sacred sensuality.”

What does it really mean to live in a state of sacred sensuality?

There are three essential elements to living a fulfilled life: sensuality, spirituality and creativity, according to Leela. “Each of these must be nurtured and attended to in order for us to reach our fullest potential. In my work with women, when we look at what is not right… it is almost always attached to one of these key areas. When we suffer health imbalances, we can often link the cause back to the ways we are not connecting to our sensuality, spirituality or creativity. We have somehow been led to believe that these are secondary needs. I have seen over and over that each of these are essential and necessary for women to live fully empowered, embodied lives. It doesn’t take a lot for most women to feel that something is not quite right, yet we often ignore the symptoms and warnings. Denying ourselves the very things that would nourish and fulfill us is an act of betrayal or violence. Dance and movement are conduits that can help us tune in and heal our lives.”

Whether Leela is creating sacred space in a women’s circle, dancing, facilitating a retreat in Mexico, guiding a Vividly Woman workshop or coaching an individual, the goal is always the same. “Everything I do is designed to support people in connecting and honoring the body, self, and soul. I do this by defining and fostering a sense of sacred sensuality. I am truly blessed to move from circle to circle of beautiful women. As we heal ourselves, we heal the world.”

Carrie Pinsky is a freelance writer and consultant. Her company, Pink Sky Writing, exists in order to help individuals and organizations connect with their values and bring visions to life.