Asked & Answered by Soul

Oh my goodness - I am beside myself with excitement to share this wonderful podcast episode that I got to be a part of! My friend, teacher and guide Jennifer Urezzio is a visionary practitioner whose work has helped me immensely. I was honored to be a guest on her podcast Asked & Answered by Soul and it is live!!

Click here to listen to the episode - the title is How To Be Kind To Your Body In Times of Huge Transition.

If you have 17 minutes to spare, it will be worth every second!

On this episode of Asked and Answered By Soul, Jennifer Urezzio and Anna Brooke talk about moving from self-judgment and feelings of separation that do not support us into being kind and gentle with ourselves, and knowing if we give ourselves permission to come back into that which connects us to all of life, everything that is ready to be loved and is calling for love within us will make itself known.

Listen now as Jennifer and Anna discuss making a choice to recognize the beauty and grace in life, that saying “yes” to your heart can bring you to the most meaningful experiences in life, how unkindness to yourself impacts every aspect of your world, and share a great tool for being kind to your body. Listen now at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/asked-and-answered-by-soul/id1537594615

Don’t forget to subscribe and write a review. #AskedandAnsweredbySoul

Make Room For Miracles!

Warm Spring greetings to you! I’m writing this looking out onto our sunny driveway with the new crocuses gently moving in the wind. There’s nothing like Spring, is there? The renewal, the fresh start - it just feels so good!

Speaking of things that feel good, I am thrilled to share this exciting podcast launch that I am a part of! The incredible Candy Leigh, a fellow author, lighthouse and Sagittarius invited me to be a part of her brand new podcast Make Room for Miracles and the gorgeous audio retreat that kicked it all off!

Click here to listen to our quick 11 minute chat. In it, I talk about the God wound and how I healed mine. It’s deep for a quick convo, so check it out! There’s a longer one coming - stay tuned!

Brava, Candy on launching an incredible special podcast. Here’s to hitting the top charts!!

How Forgiveness Can Set You Free

Warmest new year wishes to you, dear reader!

My gosh there’s a lot going on. Saying that feels like the understatement of the year. We are approaching one year of quarantine and it is incredible to look back and review what has happened in our collective lives over the last 10 1/2 months. Jobs and lives have been lost and ways of living have been forever altered. We are still working through intense division within our country and for some, our families and personal relationships. One thing is for sure - life as we know it has changed.

So what comes next?

How I would love to have an answer for that!

When quarantine kicked off last year, I kept having this thought about the need for us all to pause. Our world has been moving at increasing speeds with more information being processed than ever before both by humans and technology alike. This mounting energy can feel exciting and even seductive at times, but what’s really happening when we allow every moment of our days to be filled with information?

Prior to quarantine, how many of us actually sat still for long periods of time? How many of us allowed ourselves to look at all of our relationships across time and get really clear on the nature and energy of our many relationships with family, friends, romantic partners, or colleagues? How many of you have had relationships change forever because of political views, morality, or views on health and science? How many relationships have either changed shape or ended entirely?

Sitting still is not what our 21st century minds have been trained to do. Sitting still with discomfort and pain is something we have been trained to avoid at all costs. Nowhere in our society do we talk about and then follow through and enact healing with these painful eruptions and wounds that have risen to the surface. We don’t have a lot of models of how to move forward and heal, and I feel the path forward is very simple.

  1. Understand that your path may not look like anyone else’s, and that other’s path will not look like yours. There is a beautiful term for this - sonder - which means “the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own” (merriam webster). Everyone has their perfect path to learn and engage with their learning in their own time. It does not make them higher/lower/better/worse than you - they just are, just as you are.

  2. Forgive everyone.

Now, I realize that the first point may be easier to take in than the second one, but hear me out.

When we recognize and accept that everyone has their own path to walk in this lifetime, we get to come home to our own bodies and emotions. If grief or sadness comes up, that is something to honor and give voice to. If anger comes up, please know that anger is what is known as a secondary emotion, that there is another emotion beneath the anger that is pushing it up. Anger can be holy, but it can also make you weak in every cell of your body if you choose to hold onto it. I think of anger as a gas pedal that, when pressed, compels us forward into action. I hope that the action is rooted in peace and justice and not in violence, but that’s just my prayer.

Which brings us to the second point: forgive everyone. This is simple but profound. I’m still working on this one myself. Forgiveness is the great erase, the mechanism by which we free ourselves from the bondage of pain that we carry in our bodies. To forgive is NOT to forget. It’s not a magic little pill that gets taken and poof everything is ok. This is medicine that we get to walk with every step we take.

Some people are easier to forgive than others. That bully from 2nd grade who you later found out was being abused at home? Easier to forgive than say, your ex who you caught cheating on you, or the best friend who lied to you for her/his/their own personal gain. These are just a few charged examples, but all of which are equally deserving of forgiveness.

Forgiveness, as one of my teachers said, is the highest and hardest thing we can do as humans. Why high and hard? Because forgiveness is rooted in love - unapologetic, radical love that says I love myself enough to give me freedom from these burdens.

It’s not easy work. In fact, it is some of the bravest work I know of. Anything rooted in love and honoring love’s presence is the most courageous work any of us can do.

You deserve to be free from pain. You deserve to reclaim your light and life from those who have tarnished them. You deserve to have a clear, calm heart so that you can make your magic happen during our brief, precious time here on earth.

There are ways to begin to play with forgiveness. One is to repeat to yourself “I forgive ___” and honor all the feelings that come up by letting them out - crying, yelling, sobbing, hollering - whatever the emotions are that want to rise up to be heard and held. Another is to take this to your journal and make it a written exercise for added impact. Yet another way is to bring it into your heart by creating prayers, affirmations, or intentions that welcome forgiveness into your physical, emotional and spiritual bodies. Forgiveness is an inside job and it all starts with a choice.

So what do you choose?

If you’re someone who wants support and accountability with your forgiveness journey, I invite you to join me for my upcoming Forgiveness Lab where we will be taking this work practically and seriously with the sole intention of progress, not perfection. Forgiveness can be a long journey, but it is one of the richest we can ever take.

To learn more about The Forgiveness Lab, click here. It begins March 2nd and runs until March 23rd.

Here’s to being being courageous and saying yes to love - because you’re worth it.

I Wrote A Book!

You read that right - !!

My book Stripped Down: How Burlesque Led Me Home is coming out May 26th!

You can pre-order on Amazon it by clicking here, or better yet, order a copy through your local bookseller!

This book tells the story of how I went from feeling lost to finding my tribe in the vibrant NYC burlesque scene. Part memoir, part manifesto, this book charts my course and offers a sequential dismantling of the limiting thoughts and systems in our world that hold us all back from a sense of belonging and equity.

Better yet, this is the official blurb from my publisher:

Stripped Down: How Burlesque Led Me Home is about one woman’s journey into deeper levels of acceptance and love of herself through the powerful art form of burlesque. When Anna discovers a vibrant form of self-expression in the most unlikely of places, the rest of her life begins. By saying yes to the messages that lie deep in her heart, the opinions, judgments, and fears of others fall away as her unexpected path emerges.

There will be lots more to come, including online readings and virtual events. Sign up for my newsletter to be informed of my upcoming events!

Snappy book trailer below:

This is the most vulnerable I have ever been, and I hope you enjoy what I have written.

Lots of love and more to come!

Burlesque as Medicine at Omega Institute - !!!!!

I am OVER THE MOON to share with you that I will be teaching a five-day workshop entitled Burlesque as Medicine this spring at the Omega Institute!

Burlesque is the art of the striptease, a dance-based expression of sacred, sensual, feminine power that honors the body as a unique vessel of mirth, beauty, and spirit. Using burlesque as the foundation for this workshop, we learn how to get out of our own way and dance our truth no matter our stage in life. This workshop is for anyone tired of feeling held back from their own authentic self-expression and ready to try something new.

This retreat teaches the history and moves of burlesque with experiential learning and a variety of movement, breath, and creative self-inquiry exercises that enable us to:

  • Create new perspectives and possibilities within our lives

  • Experience belonging, innocence, and empowerment

  • Re-educate fear, shame, and judgment with intentional, deep love

  • Set healthy boundaries to reject lies and embrace truth

  • Establish sacred tools and an embodied practice of sensuality

When we strip off our limitations, we reveal our truth in safety and love.

Join me from June 7-12 at the Omega Institute campus in gorgeous Rhinebeck, NY!

Register here and feel free to comment below with any questions! Here’s to stripping off our limitations and embracing our innate beauty with love, celebration and innocence!!

Screenshot 2020-02-08 20.36.03.png

Workshop Annoucement! Introduction to Wu Tao Dance at Sruti Yoga Center

I am thrilled to announce this introductory workshop designed to give you a comprehensive introduction to the beauty and grace of Wu Tao Dance! We will be meeting every Saturday morning from 10:30-12 noon at Sruti Yoga Center in downtown Great Barrington, MA.

Wu Tao Dance is a powerful dance, exercise and meditation program that balances your vital life energy, or Qi, using originally composed music and flowing, easy dance movements. Wu Tao Dance restores your balance and health physically, emotionally and spiritually. Perfect for all ages, Wu Tao Dance will leave you feeling refreshed, peaceful and ready to flow anew within your life. 

It is recommended to take all five classes but if you cannot, a drop-in rate is available.

Please email me with any questions you may have and I look forward to dancing with you this Spring!

Wu Tao 5 Week.png

Healing Your Relationship With Your Body is coming to The Berkshires!

Happy 2020! I am thrilled to be offering my landmark class Healing Your Relationship With Your Body at Crystal Wellness on January 11th. I developed this class back in 2010 after I realized that so many of my dancer colleagues were walking on stage with destructive self thoughts and views on themselves that had nothing to do with the sheer beauty I saw in them. This class is based in the concept that thought is creative, and when we change our minds, we change our lives.

Register now for this life-changing four-hour workshop by clicking here. The only requirement to attend is that you currently have a body.

Any questions? Please be in touch!

Screenshot 2019-12-11 17.33.35.png

Gift Certificates Now Available!

Want to give the gift of healing and fulfillment to those you love?

I am thrilled to be offering gift certificates for all of my services!

  • Rebirthing Breathwork

  • Self-Mastery and Empowerment Counseling

  • Reiki

  • Wu Tao Dance private lesson

  • Burlesque private lesson

You can always buy those you love a class pass with me at either Sruti Yoga Center or LifeWorks Studio

There’s always the option of gifting the most delightful essential oils to those you love and care about. Click here to be taken to my personal online store and select what you want to be delivered either to you or to a lucky recipient!

Here’s to joy and health for all!

photo-1517429391578-8a2fd2679a30.jpeg

Holy Moses May is PACKED!

Happy Springtime to you all! What a pleasure to have longer days, warmer temperatures and lush flowers and foliage beginning to emerge - !

Just a quick note to say this month is packed with beautiful opportunities to move, breathe, and learn new ways to support your wellbeing and highest good. My weekly classes continue at Green River Wellness Collective in downtown Great Barrington as does our Reiki Clinic happening on Saturday, May 11th.

Some upcoming highlights include a super fun Friday Night Burlesque class at LifeWorks in Great Barrington on May 24 from 7-8pm as well as a group breathe at Crystal Wellness on May 29th.

There’s something for everyone this month and I hope you can join me!

May 2 Make and Take Party! May 3 Lynda Henn Healing May 6 Wu Tao Dance & Breathwork May 9 Introduction to Breathwork May 11 Reiki Clinic May 16 Self Care Tool Kit May 23 Essential Oils 101 May 24 Friday Night (2).png

Weekly Classes in Downtown Great Barrington!

It’s a new month and I am so excited to share that I will be starting weekly classes at Green River Wellness Collective in downtown Great Barrington! When I lived in NYC, I loved creating space for people to come together to learn about different ways to heal and fresh perspectives on the blessings and challenges in their own lives. A wonderful side effect of this was building conscious community which I happen to adore! Thanks to the wonderful women of Green River Wellness Collective in Great Barrington, I will now be hosting weekly classes to bring the same offerings up to the Berkshires!

April 11 - Essential Oils for Everyone

Curious about ways to become more informed on your own self care? We are so fortunate to live in a natural setting with easy ways to connect to nature and its healing properties. What if you didn’t have to leave your home to access the magic and powerful healing properties of nature from all over the world? Join essential oil advocate and enthusiast Anna Brooke to learn what essential oils are, how to use them and their myriad benefits to your health and wellbeing! RSVP to anna@annabrookehealing.com - all are welcome!

April 18 - Introduction to Breathwork

Our entire life experience is intricately tied to our our inhale. We come in on a breath and we go out on a breath, and yet how much time do we spend reminding ourselves to breathe and that we always have access to our breath? Join breathworker Anna Brooke for this easy and fun introduction to breathwork, a powerful modality that can change how you look at your life through shifting your relationship to your breath. RSVP to anna@annabrookehealing.com.

April 25 - Heal the Healer

A networking and gathering moment for anyone who works in the healing arts in Berkshire County.

All Thursday events at Green River Wellness Collective run from 5:30 - 7pm and generally cost $10 unless otherwise noted.

Green River Wellness Collective is located at 4 Castle Street #10 (2nd floor) in Great Barrington.

Questions or RSVP requests? Please email me at anna@annabrookehealing.com and I look forward to being in touch!

It's a new dawn, it's a new day...

It's a new month and a new day - September 6, 2018! Life back in full swing after the lazy, languid days of summer and in the spirit of new beginnings, I have an announcement to make.

Happy reBirthday to ME! Twelve years ago, Legs Malone was born upon the stage of the Bethnal Green Working Men's Club in London. My mind is boggled as I look back over these last 12 years and think about where I've been, who I've met and what I've done. I wouldn't trade my burlesque career for anything and I am deeply grateful to everyone that has supported, cheered me on and loved me over these years.

Now comes the biggest reveal of my life thus far...

For the last 12 years (as of today!), I have been a burlesque performer, producer, teacher and advocate. Behind the scenes, I've been working diligently not only to heal but to help others do the same. If you have come to any of my classes, you will know how hugely passionate I am about helping people retrieve their own sense of beauty, worthiness and immense love-ability. I was always so fearful about "crossing the streams" but something happened and that fear fell away and became an impatience, a drive to share what was going on inside of me that I no longer wanted to limit to a single definition.

So, without further ado, here I am and here is my new, all-inclusive logo:

ABH-Final-8-20-18.png

If you want to learn burlesque, please be in touch. It would be an honor to share this inspiring and beautiful art form with you. If you'd like to visit my burlesque website, you can click on the word "burlesque" in the drop down menu above under "work with me" or just go straight to www.legsmalone.com.

You'll see on my calendar more of those classes popping up, and if they are of interest to you, please be in touch.

Wishing everyone a beautiful and full evening and here's to telling out truth as fast as we can, all things considered <3

 

Begin July With Love

June is ending with a roar so loud that some folks are needing some extra TLC. The events occurring on local, national and international levels along with the recent, powerful full moon, the emotional terrain of this moment can feel rocky.

I have been asking myself how can I help, and this came to me. 

To support your healing and the creation of positive intentions to pave a peaceful path into July, I am offering a special that lasts for July 1 & 2 - two days only.

Breathwork - 30 minute session - $40

Breathwork - 60 minute session - $75

Reiki - 30 minute session - $40

This special is only good for appointments on July 1st and 2nd, 2018. All sessions can be booked by clicking on the offering.

For the breathwork sessions, an internet connection is required. All appointments take place remotely via my private Zoom room. For the reiki sessions, we will communicate via text or email (your choice).

If you have any questions, please email me at anna@annabrookehealing.com

In the energies of love and new beginnings, 

Anna

Breathwork Session Special - 5/21/18 - 5/31/18!!

Hi everyone!

In honor of May's continuation and the warm transition from spring to summer, I am offering deeply discounted private online sessions! There is so much change happening in our world and our lives and I feel the best way to connect and show up for yourself in times of transition is to come back to your breath with support, nurturing and guidance. 

Book any two hour session with me between 5/21/18 and 5/31/18 and pay only $100 - !!

This is $80 off an introductory session and $25 off a regular tune-up or series session. This special will only be offered for these 10 days in May and I encourage you to hop on it ASAP if you feel called as these sessions will fill up fast!

Benefits of Breathwork include:

*clear mindedness and open, calmer breathing

*developing a deeper connection to self

*flushing out old thoughts and beliefs and bringing in empowerment and self-love

*deeper physical and emotional sense of calm

And that's just the short list!

I've been a practicing rebirthing breathworker for the last 8 years and have been honored to assist in many life changes and rebirths for hundreds of clients over the years.

To book your sessions, head on over to https://annabrooke.as.me/ , pick the breathwork special and choose your time!

Any questions, please be in touch!

Here's to jumpstarting and/or continuing your healing with grace, ease and a big inhale.

SO many new videos!

Hi everyone!

It's been a minute since I posted here and I want to share with you the newest videos I have posted in the last few months on youtube! If you want to be notified of my upcoming posts, please click on subscribe when you visit www.youtube.com/wutaonyc - that's my channel!

These two videos offer both a tool and a challenge!

First up is my video on a nurturing eye rest exercise that you can do anywhere you wish. Find a few quiet minutes and try this out - your eyes will thank you!

Second is a spontaneous video I filmed while stuck on a train with incredibly bouncy and loud fellow passengers (who were very quiet during the filming - !). In it, you'll find my 30 second breath challenge that is perfect for anyone who knows they need to take a good, deep breath every once in a while.

Here's to feeling wonderful in our bodies as frequently as possible, and stay tuned for more videos!

New video posted - easy points to help support the grief process in the body

On the occasion of moving out of my beautiful home, I took a moment to make a quick video on wonderful points that you can use to help yourself ease through the processing of grief in the body. Please feel free to watch, use the points and share away. Here's to change feeling safe, and the loving release of grief so we may step into a deeper sense of peace in our bodies and lives.

Essential Oils To Support Radiant Health!

Hi everyone! Happy mid-September to you all. It's been quite the powerful end to summer with so many changes swirling about in our personal, communal, national and international communities. I have personally noticed a huge uptick in anxiousness and stress-related conditions in people across the board. I personally rely on lots of physical movement and my doTERRA essential oils to help keep me grounded and fully present in my body. Not only do the oils help with adjusting and maintaining my personal chemistry, but I have found them an invaluable tool for easing my own feelings of anxiousness and lack in these complicated times. I love sharing these amazing oils so everyone can have multiple wellness tools in their personal self care tool kit to make sure they feel supported no matter what.

Earlier this year, the article below was published on Wu Tao Dance's main website and I love the confluence of two of my favorite things - Wu Tao and essential oils! I have copied the text of the article below but if you'd like to read it on the main Wu Tao website, you can click here.

Hi everyone! Happy September to you all. It's been quite the powerful end to summer with so many changes swirling about in our personal, communal, national and international worlds. I have personally noticed a huge uptick in anxiousness and stress-related conditions in people across the board and I felt moved to share one of my many tools and strategies to counterbalance any anxious or stressful feelings.

I personally rely on lots of physical movement and my doTERRA essential oils to help keep me grounded and fully present in my body. Not only do the oils help with adjusting and maintaining my personal chemistry, but I have found them an invaluable tool for easing my own anxious feelings and lack in these complicated times. I love sharing these amazing oils so everyone can have multiple wellness tools in their personal self care tool kit to make sure they feel supported no matter what. Want to visit my essential oils website? Click here!

Earlier this year, the article copied below was published on Wu Tao Dance's main website and I love the confluence of two of my favorite things - Wu Tao and essential oils! I have copied the text of the article below and changed some of the wording to remain compliant with regards to the claims, but if you'd like to read it on the main Wu Tao website, you can click here.

I am here to help connect you to your own highest good and the force of love that runs through all of us body, mind and soul. 

If you are looking for support or simply some new tools, please be in touch!

Happy reading!
Anna

6 ESSENTIAL OILS TO SUPPORT RADIANT HEALTH

Essential oils are amazing in their ability to replenish the body and mind. They can help you feel wonderful through their aroma, especially in times of stress.

Stress manifests in our body in alarming ways. The physical strain of it can lead to poor health, but these damaging impacts can be balanced with essential oils

We all know essential oils help melt away feelings of anxiousness and keep our stressful feelings in check. But, did you know that each oil has it’s own properties and unique health benefits beyond bringing calm?

We’re sharing the top 6 essential oils to bring balance to your health and how you can use them to balance the Five Elements. To get some of these beautiful essential oils for use at home or at work, please click here!

LAVENDER

Lavender is a must have in the home. The aroma relaxes while it soothes feelings of sensitivity or overuse in the body and can helrelieves mild headaches. Perfect for those nights when your mind is too busy and awake.

How to use Lavender to support your health:

Try adding a few drops on your pillow. It can help send you off into a dreamy sleep.

Lavender can be used to balance all 5 elements and restore your Qi.

JASMINE

Jasmine is a wonderful way to uplift your spirits and improve the condition of your skin.

Jasmine also has a rejuvenating effect on the skin. Try some on scars and marks a few times a day.

How to use Jasmine to support your health:

Try rubbing some Jasmine on your pulse points when you find yourself experiencing the blues or being overcome by negative thoughts.

Jasmine can be used to balance all 5 elements and restore your Qi.

WILD ORANGE 

If you’re looking for an immune boost before the cold season starts, add a few drops of orange in your bath and soak in the wonderful aroma.

How to use Orange to support your health:

Add Orange essence to your bath and soak in its restorative powers.

Orange is the perfect oil to balance the wood element.

ROSEMARY

Did you know Rosemary is a natural support for helping to maintain blood pressure levels that are already in a normal range?

If you’re looking to support healthy blood pressure levels that are already within the normal range, try using rosemary for that extra help.

How to use Rosemary to support your health:

Adding a few drops of rosemary oil to your diffuser can also improve memory and concentration.

PEPPERMINT OIL

Peppermint is a necessity for your essential oil collection because of its versatile uses.

Peppermint is excellent for supporting healthy digestion, easing feelings of bloating and cramps after a big meal.

How to use Peppermint to support your health:

Try diffusing some in the morning, the aroma will help wake you up to get a great start through the day.

Peppermint can be used to balance all 5 elements and restore your Qi.

SANDALWOOD

The relaxing properties of Sandalwood will support the relief of any physical discomfort. It’s especially potent in creating deep calm in the mind.

How to use Sandalwood to support your health:

Try diffusing some Sandalwood in meditation and feel it’s calming scent take you to a deeper level.

Sandalwood can be used to balance all elements except Earth in late summer.