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Maureen Atkins
Maureen (Mo) discovered Sacred Circle Dance in 1993 and began teaching dance in 1995. Over the years since discovering dance a great many changes started to happen in her life: In 2004 she decided to return to college. Having always wanted to get a college degree, she decided to “go for it” and get a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies. When she learned that she needed to take more electives, she chose to have a concentration in dance which was inspired by the idea of “Follow your Bliss” from a Joseph Campbell documentary. It was in a theater class when she led Meditation on a Vertical Axis that she realized the healing properties of Sacred Circle Dance. In 2007 she graduated from Cal State East Bay in Hayward California and transferred to John F Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill, California to pursue a masters degree in ‘Counseling Psychology’ with a specialization in somatic psychology. As part of her master’s thesis she led a weekly dance group for a women’s residential program for women with drug addictions. In 2010 Maureen graduated and in 2019 got her license as a marriage and family therapist. Over the years Sacred Circle Dance was always included in her life. Concurrently Maureen worked in the field of substance use disorders changing her career from being a phlebotomist at a methadone clinic to becoming a counselor. Maureen now counsels clients at a local methadone clinic and has led dance groups for the agency’s residential program with positive feedback from the residents. “I see Sacred Circle Dance as a great option for those dealing with addiction as well as other psychological issues”. Outside the field of addiction Maureen has led a number of groups, collaborated with the Bay Area Circle Dancers, has facilitated dance retreats and has been invited to collaborate in other venues, i.e. schools, churches and other local groups. Future plans include more retreats, starting another group closer to home and getting an additional certification in problem gambling. Maureen is curious about the healing potential of dance with this type of addiction. “In light of the current world situation I see much potential in offering Sacred Circle Dance as a way to feel better and help people have healthy relationships. I am extremely grateful to all of the dance teachers and others, too numerous to name, who have taught and |
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inspired me along the way!”
Maureen lives in Ben Lomond, California, a small town in the redwoods and works in nearby Santa Cruz. She has family in Santa Cruz and many wonderful neighbors and friends as well as people in the San Francisco East Bay that are near and dear to her heart.
You can download Maureen's thesis entitled Reclaiming Personal Power Through Sacred Circle Dance:
Maureen lives in Ben Lomond, California, a small town in the redwoods and works in nearby Santa Cruz. She has family in Santa Cruz and many wonderful neighbors and friends as well as people in the San Francisco East Bay that are near and dear to her heart.
You can download Maureen's thesis entitled Reclaiming Personal Power Through Sacred Circle Dance:
| maureen_atkins_thesis_best.pdf |
