Hear What People Are Saying
“ A transformative experience which was exactly what I was looking for.
This experience is not just for anyone, while still being for everyone. Najla, the guest mentors, and the other participants created a safe and welcoming space for us all. It was a beautiful couple of days that left us all refreshed and raw.
Thank you (F)rom (T)he (S)oil”Isoke | FTS Intensive NYC
“The FTS Movement Intensive is one of the most profoundly healing and validating dance experiences I have ever had. I loved the atmosphere that was created by Najla and all of the instructors, and the unique blend of offerings created a cohesive and deeply connected learning experience for me, from start to finish. I feel so grateful to have found this work, and I can't wait to come back for more".Elyse | FTS Intensive NYC
“I am very grateful that I decided to participate in (F)rom (T)he (S)oil Movement program. From the very first moment I felt welcomed and loved. It was like entering some healing temple, very intimate space, a different realm. Place where I could rest and let go of everything that I experienced till that moment.
I am also very grateful that I could share the space with other women that come from different cultures and that I could experience movements that come from indigenous cultures and that are close to my heart. Some movements very definitely challenging for me :).
Experiencing different artists during the day was very refreshing and I was always looking forward to experience their classes. Every artist was a huge gift for us with their unique artistry. I also like that in the first part of the day we were coming back to the same routines and day by day developing them. I would like to continue with some of the exercises or at least keep the idea why they are important.
I am glad that there was a space for every one of us to be seen and at the same time supported by others. Freestyle classes were definitely a stretch for me and I very grateful for that. It helped me with my direction as a dancer. It was something that I was questioning.
Thank you, Najla, for creating this safe and loving space in which we could allow ourselves to be vulnerable and felt loved anyway. I am grateful that I could share the space with you and learn from you. I love the knowledge and the routines you shared with us, and the Kia stays with me :)
This is just a glimpse of my experience that I tried to capture with my words :)".Jindriska | FTS Intensive NYC
“This intensive came to me at the perfect time. It included so much of what I wanted to explore: rhythms in music and connections throughout the ages; martial arts, freestyle, choreography and more. But one of the main things I left with was a shift in how I think about and approach movement. I left feeling so grounded, more secure in myself and ready to tackle the obstacles that comes with being an artist in this industry and in life in general. Najla is a beautiful and powerful facilitator, teacher, and artist. I’m so happy she was moved to start FTS because again, the shift in mindset really really helped me. There might be some resistance because of the spaces dancers are used too, but that’s exactly why you should be there: to experience movement in a space that is rooted in love and exploration and not expectation. And in that there’s so much freedom and I’m so grateful for such a safe space. Regina, Pierce, Bobby and Hurrikane were also great facilitators, and it was so amazing to witness their mastery in person. They have so much to offer and I’m glad my heart and mind were open to receive it. And that’s my last point: if you have an open heart and mind, you will get exactly what you need from this intensive. I am forever changed in a very positive way by this experience. Thank you FTS. Thank you Najla. Thank you thank you thank you."Shaneekqua | FTS Intensive NYC
“Firstly, I’d like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to the FTS faculty, Najla, Bobby, and Pierce. You all brought something out of me each day during the Intensive and made me realize what I am capable of. For the first time in a long time, I have truly felt the freedom to move and explore movement that is sacred to myself. There have been times where I felt discouraged and even completely stopped dancing because I didn’t feel that I was good enough to make it in the dance world. During this weeklong Intensive I did a lot of self-reflecting and sharing with the other beautiful movers in the community; I realized what I want is to share my movement and to pass down the knowledge that was shared with me to my generation and the next generation to come. It’s time we got back into our roots and honored the SOIL we come from. I am beyond grateful for the beautiful community we’ve built, and I am excited to continue this journey of reprogramming and take everything I’ve learned and experienced with FTS and apply it not only to dance, but to life as well! Peace and blessings and thank you forever FTS.”Christina | FTS Intensive NYC
“I started dancing around 14 and because of this I’ve always been open to a training or class since I’m insecure about my training. However, dance became hard for me to connect with on a genuine level (outside of at a party) the older I became so I took a break. Though I do believe it is important to never stop being a student, I think with age I started to realize how Eurocentric and disconnected from the soul (and soil) a lot of my training was. “After going to a couple of En Transit events and seeing the work of Najla Gilliam over the last couple of years I knew I needed to be at the FTS Intensive, and I am so grateful and glad I did. The curriculum was designed for us as students to learn concepts behind rhythm, geometric sequencing, improvising, martial arts, embodying movement, and more; through open conversations and well planned movement, writing, meditative, and visual art exercises. In addition, the teachers were knowledgeable and impactful, and they took the time to really build community and learn about each of us to help us find how we can most authentically express ourselves. Najla Gilliam and Bobby D Morgan made it clear to us everyday that this is not a performance (allowing us to take off our masks) and that this should feel as if it is “From The Soil” allowing us to focus on intrinsic connection, divinity, and those that came before us and how movement can and should honor that. I’m forever grateful for the FTS Movement Intensive and would recommend this program to any dancer who wants to deepen their love for movement as an art form and medium for connection. Thank you FTS”Sara | FTS Intensive NYC
“Our ancestors left the blueprint in the soil, where our roots reside.”
— (F)rom (T)he (S)oil Movement Founder, Najla Gilliam