Blissful Dance
Recorded March 21, 2022
At Blissful Dance we value accessibility, creative innovation, joy, expression, and growth. We believe dance is for EVERY body, and are passionate about creating an environment to elevate others through creative innovation, radical acceptance of all human beings, and creating a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and accepted. In our approach, accessible movement and specific styles of dance are not in competition, but rather they get to EXPAND each other! We offer both in-person sessions as well as detailed virtual sessions.
Join us to learn more about what we do, how we approach movement, and get a taste for how we invite accessibility into styles of dance!
Chawna Exner – With a background largely in the styles of contemporary, jazz, and hip hop, Chawna has had a lifelong passionate relationship with dance! After pursuing training in the University of Calgary Dance Program, Chawna crossed paths with the art of Burlesque, and has since built a career in the art form under the stage name Eva Angel. In 2018, Chawna began work with accessible dance company Momo Movement (now part of the National accessArts Centre), and has sought to discover ways to bring equity and accessibility into dance ever since. In her role as Blissful Dance’s Artistic Director, Chawna aims to collaboratively expand how we view dance and accessibility, moving from the shared belief that dance is for every body!
Kyra Newton – Kyra Newton is a dance artist and facilitator of movement in Calgary, Alberta. She is passionate about using movement as a tool for authentic self-expression and to connect to our inner truth and knowing. In her work as a facilitator she aspires to inspire others to go inwards and honour what they feel on a physical, emotional and spiritual level.
Newton studied contemporary dance and sociology at Simon Fraser University where she learned beautiful techniques to support the attunement of her body. She has also obtained certifications from DanceAbility, AXIS teacher training, Inner Journeys Ecstatic Dance, and Animal Flow. She has travelled across North America to receive high-caliber training as a professional dancer and study different movement methodologies.
Kyra is a choreographer, moved by the power of dance and the effects it has on both the performer and the viewer. She has created two full and nine short-length works. As the previous Artistic Director of Momo Movement she has produced one full-length show and has been presented by High Performance Rodeo and Next Fest. Her other works have been presented by Theatre Junction Grand, W&M Dance Project, the Ignite Festival of Emerging Artist’s, Collide, Dance Blitz, and Fluid Festival. Newton has performed with La Caravan Dance Theatre, Corps Bara, Con8 Collective, Deya Dova, Project in Tandem, Ruth Levin, Rufi Oswaldo and several Vancouver artists. Kyra is also the co-creator of YYC Contemporary Dance, a professional training program for local artists, and is the founder of Blissful Dance, an accessible digital dance company for all bodies.
Her embodiment company, Embodied Woman is dedicated to creating spaces for all people to feel accepted, seen, and heard. She offers ecstatic dance, somatic movement, 1:1 sessions, women’s events, retreats, and collaborates with other artists and healers. Kyra is constantly re-inspired by how dance medicine serves people to shift their state of being and go inwards to heal.
