THE SDP STORY
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The History of Syzygy Dance Project
Syzygy Dance Project started in 2010 with one class at the San Francisco County Jail. SDP now has ten ongoing projects with diverse populations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. The inspiration for Syzygy Dance Project comes from the heart of Sylvie Minot, Syzygy Dance Project’s Executive Director. Twenty years ago, while assisting a dance class at an AIDS conference, Sylvie became aware of her calling to bring movement to those unlikely to access it. She was inspired by the participants, many of whom were dancing in wheelchairs and with oxygen masks. One of the participants remarked, “The entire conference was about my illness and how sick I was, yet I felt more alive when I was dancing, free from the narrative of my disease.” As Sylvie continued dancing and studied to be a movement teacher, she was struck by how many people exist as virtual prisoners in the circumstances of their lives. She felt to bring freedom and a sense of possibility through movement to those who are in incarceration would be a tremendous gift. Sylvie now brings dance not only to those in prison but to anyone who can benefit from it. Since 2010, SDP programs have expanded to include a variety of facilities around the San Francisco Bay Area. SDP In the News• 5Rhythms Teacher Spotlight: Sylvie Minot
By Sylvie Minot | 5Rhythms.com • Ancestors Workshop Dance Sing Write Blog • Ecstatic Dance Moves the Spirit, Soothes the Soul By Meredith May | SF Chronicle • Greg Sarris! Live! By Jonah Raskin | Anderson Valley Advertiser • Healing the Soldiers: Veterans Find Support in Dance Programs By Karyn D. Collins | Dance/USA • Make it Count: These Marin Organizations are Improving People's Lives and You Can Help By Kasia Pawlowska & Laura Weiszer | Marin Magazine • Meditative Dance Frees Women from Emotional Confines of Jail By Meredith May | SF Gate • Money as Moving Energy (Video) Women, Money, Spirit Conference at California Institute of Integral Studies • The Body, Mind, and Spirit of Syzygy Dance Project By Susie R. Spann, Editor-in-Chief | Ballroom Dance Connections magazine • Using Dance To Find And Express Your Spirit By Silvia Damiano | The About My Brain Institute Audio Interviews"Dancing with Intention": Interview with SDP Founder Sylvie Minot
By Pavini Moray | Bespoken Bones Podcast |
“I love this work; it feels rewarding and rich to bring it to people who may never wander into a 5Rhythms class.” 
“I let myself just dance. I lifted my hands in the ayer because I just didn't cayer. And it was the not caring part that was so freeing. I was no longer furious about the dog, the ticket, the busted computer. Best Sunday service I'd ever attended.” 
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