Aum Namah Shivaya

I was born in a non-muslim family during war and religious persecution in Iran.
My loving parents named me Nima.

At times, I was told and felt unwanted—by family and by society.
Loved by many, and abused by others.
I was shaped and conditioned by all this.

I grew up to become strong—high and buffed, a shining star…
a successful millionaire businessman.
A beautiful picture on the outside.
But inside, many things were broken.

In one of the darkest times of my life, on November 18, 2018,
I found myself on a 5Rhythms® dance floor—
in deep pain, lost and not wanting to live anymore…
yet loving life too much to give up.

So I started moving.

Through the 5Rhythms®, I kept moving…
and layers began to fall away.
My heart opened and ...

…and my heart cracked opened.
The masks slowly began to dissolve.
The armor I had built to survive started cracking open.

Through movement, I met my grief, my rage, my fear, my joy.
I met the abandoned child within me.
I met the lover, the warrior, the clown, the seeker, the mother and the father. 

Little by little, the dance brought me back to myself.

5Rhythms® became more than movement for me.
It became a prayer.
It became medicine.
It became a path home.

Today, I hold space for others for a possibility of remembering themselves through movement, breath, sweat, music, truth, and community.

My work is not about performance or perfection.
It is about authenticity, courage and inclusivity. 
About allowing every part of ourselves to move, belong, and be witnessed.

I continue to dance because 5RHYTHMS saved my life.

Aum Namah Shivaya.