NEGLECTED KIDS DANCE PAIN AWAY

Christina Cannon joined Create Now after her friend recommended us and she had attended our Mentor Appreciation Luncheon last year. We arranged for her to teach her unique “Movement” Dance Workshop at Miriam’s House in Mar Vista, a home for mothers recovering from substance abuse and a refuge for their children to escape chaos and instability. The mothers are given a chance to make serious changes for sobriety. Christina’s workshop was a huge success as it gave these women and their children the chance to bond, and for the kids to blossom through their love of dance and their precious mentor. However, the children that Christina mentored through her dance program were very different from the “normal” kids she works with as a speech therapist. Here’s Christina’s story in her own words:

Since moving to the greater Los Angeles area, I had a strong feeling that I wanted to volunteer, and reach out beyond my own world. I knew there was an important role for me somewhere in my community, outside of my job as a speech therapist. I just didn’t know what. When I found out about Create Now, I asked them to place me where there was a need. I knew that I wanted to share my knowledge of different forms of physical activity, including yoga, kung fu, capoeira, and break dancing - what I call the “Movement” program. I feel that sharing my passions with others could go a long way and impact people’s lives. Still, I didn’t know where or how I would like to do that.

Create Now couldn’t have found a more perfect place for me to volunteer. I was destined to provide the Movement program for kids in need. Specifically, I was assigned to Miriam’s House, a recovery home for addicted mothers and their children. These children had been neglected and abused by their parents and others.

I originally started the Movement program for underprivileged kids in Queens, NY and it had been a dream of mine to continue it in Los Angeles. The program started in February and went on for eight weeks. When I first arrived to the home, I was eagerly greeted by children of all ages with hugs and excitement. I thought to myself, ‘These children are fine.’ Here I am a stranger and they are greeting me with so much love and happiness. It didn’t take long to see the pain that hid beneath their beautiful smiles and faces.

Typically, the Movement program begins class with yoga stretches and breathing to calm and center their minds, then goes through introductions to the various art forms of kung fu, capoeira, and/or break dancing. I tried a structured class that I was used to implementing in Queens, but these kids weren’t having it. They were hungry for attention and behavior problems arose. I ran into obstacles of children refusing to participate and contesting music or movements. They would run to the couch and put pillows over their heads, refusing to talk or even acknowledge me. They were extremely sensitive and would cry over things that were uncontrollable, such as where they were standing or how someone else got attention for a moment and they didn’t. Many of them wanted to be the stars and the leaders, and would beg to dance or be in the center while everyone watched them with undivided attention. If attention was divided, they would burst into tears and nestle themselves into the couch with pillows, covering their whole bodies, or cause a fit by stomping their feet and crossing their arms in the middle of their “performance.”

I wondered how I could help these kids. ‘Should I be firm, and demand that they participate, or coddle them and allow the negative behaviors to be acceptable? I found that being consistent with the children would be the best route to take. During their tantrums, I would acknowledge their pain and help talk through their sorrow. The Movement program was a time and place for them to have control over their physical, mental and emotional well-being. When they isolated themselves, I would let them know that I was there for them and acknowledged their absence. Even though they were ignoring me as I sat next to them, I knew they could hear me say, “We are going to continue, but when you are ready please join us. I know you would have fun or be good at doing this.”

It was challenging but my goal was keep them moving! Through movement, I felt energy rise and children reclaim their innocence, rather than attaching to the part of them who was victimized.

These children loved to dance! We would gather in circles and one person at a time would get in the center and do their thing. It was amazing to see how the children uniquely expressed themselves by putting together different movements that I taught them in combination with their own dance styles. They had me in awe at their abilities. By the end of each class, I was uplifted and energized by them.

I am not sure if I will ever see these children again, but the learning and connection we shared will forever impact all of our lives. They showed me the strength they had by overcoming their fears and anxieties through artistic expression, even if it was just for that moment. Perhaps this eight-week program was not enough to change their lives, but I know I planted some seeds in the As with all Create Now programs, we culminated our workshop with a party for the kids, especially since children need closure when something they love comes to an end. Each child received a gift bag with toys and other goodies as souvenirs of their experience with Christina. We’re very grateful to the staff at Miriam’s House, and especially our mentor Christina Cannon who made this memorable workshop possible.



Here’s what some of the children and their mothers had to say:

“I like the dance, yoga, dancing. I like all of it and love it.” - Ka’aloha, age 6

“I like the dancing and the music.” – Madison, age 7

“I like the music and all the dancing.” – Shelby, age 6

“I liked everything that we do. I like the cartwheels the most.” – Kai, age 5

“I like the kung fu.” – Mila, age 4

“I like the yoga.” – Malakai, age 4

“I’ve noticed my kids are more relaxed. They get pumped up and they want to show me dance moves and things they’ve done in the class. Kai also likes yoga poses so she does a lot of those by herself or she shows it to me. Ka’aloha loves to dance. She loves music so this lets her express more of that whole music scene. I like it too because it’s Friday night so it gets them more worn down so when it’s time for bed they’re more relaxed instead of being all excited because there’s no school tomorrow. So they’re more relaxed. It helps a lot.” – Amy, mother

“My daughter Shelby loves the dancing, the “Frog” jumping and the break-dancing. She likes to show her other relatives and friends. I think it helps with coordination, although the kids get a little excited and forget that someone’s next to them but it helps with coordination and the stretching. Learning to stretch before they start dancing is beneficial for them too. I like that she gets a lot of excitement out in a beneficial way and not just running around kicking the ball. It’s a healthy way. She loves it. She loves looking forward to it.” – Bridget, mother.

This workshop was supported in part by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the LA County Arts Commission.