Healing Through Rhythm

Nydia Martinez is a Reiki Healer, Salsa Dancer, Musician, Hiker, and Professional in the Disabilities Field. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Hunter College and a Master's in Disability Studies from CUNY School of Professional Studies. She is also a Reiki Master Usui/Holly Fire IV certified by the International Center for Reiki Training. In 2008, Nydia started working with people with developmental disabilities as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) and found her passion in the field. Since then, she has held various positions including DSP, Housing Navigator, B2H waiver provider, Crisis Intervention services provider, HCBS waiver supervisor, Care Manager, and presently as a Director in Care Management services. 

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But things have not come easy for Nydia who migrated to New York City in 2007 leaving behind her family in Mexico. Nydia was 17 years old at the time and barely spoke any English; nonetheless, to say, the assimilation to independence and freedom in NYC resulted in many challenges. In August 2014, Nydia was already a single mother but managed to obtain her Bachelor's degree. By the end of 2014, she met someone and rushed into marriage. Soon after, she found employment as a Medicaid Service Coordinator (aka Care Manager) and started working full time. By 2017, Nydia became a single mother once again; but this time with two little kids - Angel (1 yo) and Sophia, 4 (yo). She had survived 3 years of domestic violence and had finally been able to get the abuser to leave. Nydia regained her peace and freedom, but it had come with a big price. She could barely do anything other than work and care for her kids, but her determination to rediscover herself set her up on a quest for something that would bring her joy. 

 

A few weeks after she separated from her ex-husband, Nydia started to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is an anxiety disorder that is caused by a traumatic event that happened to you or that you witnessed. It is characterized by intrusive thoughts about the event, recurrent anxiety, flashbacks, and avoidance of similar situations. Nydia became hyper-vigilant, paranoid and developed panic attacks that took her to the ER. Nydia had no friends or family on her side, her ex-husband made sure of that. Nydia was lost and drowning in anxiety, but one day she decided to try the salsa studio nearby; she had taken salsa classes in the past during High School and College, but it was nothing serious. Nydia craved a place that would allow her to feel free and alive once again, and Salsa Shines seemed to be a safe environment to start with. Nydia found a welcoming community, free of prejudice, free of labels, and a place to be unapologetically herself. Nydia found dance as a catalyst for finding herself once again. Nydia continued to dance throughout the years and little by little opportunities presented themselves; she is now, part of the Cucalindas team at Cucala Dance Company. As years have passed, Nydia believes that social dancing should be the ultimate goal for dancers. Social dancing allows you to fully trust your body, trust your partner, and become one with a song. The rhythm in salsa music varies by speed, feelings, and tempo which allows the dancer to express through movement and rhythm; and it is the rhythm that brings you to a zone where you flow with the beats, the melody, and even the lack of sound.

 

The rhythm created by activities such as dancing, boxing, hiking, running, and playing music creates an energetic frequency that allows you to connect with people and nature at a different level. The higher your frequency, the higher receptivity you will have to positive things in your life. You can elevate your life, by the simple act of elevating your energy. Moreover, the rhythm allows you to feel things and explore your feelings and thoughts at a deeper level. 

 

In Healing Through Rhythm we focus on using rhythm to improve health and overall wellbeing through activities that involve rhythm. We incorporate a variety of activities to help you improve various aspects of your life. Whether you would like to be healthier, feel stronger, feel safer, improve self-confidence, feel at peace, or simply lose weight, try one of our classes. The first class is 30% off by using code 30FORME.

 

I have described two major moments in Nydia's life when she used rhythm as a healing agent, but Nydia had been using rhythm for a while and in various intensities. For instance, Nydia won the San Luis Potosi state boxing championship in 2016.  Nydia has also played the drum set in various rock bands, has played the alto and soprano saxophone since 2005, and self-taught herself to play Ukulele. During the pandemic, Nydia started hiking and is now a regular on the Catskills and New Jersey mountains. 

 

Nydia has used rhythm as a catalyst of positive change in her life and is ready to teach you Boxing Technique (Mexican style), Ukulele, Salsa (New York Style - On 2), Social Dancing 101, Hiking 101, and provide Reiki healing.

 

Book your first class today!  

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