Bio
Morena Cardoso is body-psychotherapist, master's in Clinical Psychology, feminist anti-racist, anti-capitalist. Mother of six (two births). Writer, author of “Manifesto Crisálida” and “The Girl who became the Moon” (translated in four languages).
As founder and visionary of DanzaMedicina, Morena has been leading her experimental method in dozens of countries, impacting over five thousand students through in-person and online workshops - empowering, instigating and regenerating women, through weavings of dance, art, transgression and poetry.
A Latin-American woman who carries in her veins the bittersweet medicine of challenging the patriarchal and colonial structures through the whispers of the sacred and wild feminine wisdom.
DanzaMedicina began to pulse in 2007, during an initiation process on Annapurna II in Nepal. Climbing the mountain as an aspiring sommelier living Paris, I descended with a newfound desire to seek out untold narratives, embarking on a journey as a caminante.
My meditation studies commenced at the S. N. Goenka School, in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin, in northern France. In the heart of Brazilian Amazon Rainforest I deepened my relation with medicine plants and remarkable medicine women like Putanny Yawanawá and Dona Francisquinha. In the Peruvian Andes, I was introduced to the ancient tradition of Munay-ki and participated in the annual meetings of Warmi Tinkui. In the Himalayas, I immersed myself in traditional healing practices, including Tibetan Medicine.
In India I was certified in Hatha Yoga from Shivananda lineage, along the bank of the Ganges. The ancient forests of Eastern Europe revealed the depths of Mongolian shamanism through teaching from Professor Emil Nuna, in Romania. In the US, barefoot walks and sacred fires with Sweet Medicine Nation and Grandmother Sarah Bicknell enriched my understanding of community and healing.
The magic of the IxCacao Ceremony, rooted in Mayan Tradition, was imparted to me by the Colombian healer Paola Parra for many years of collaboration. Baptized as Tlazolteotl by Danza de la Luna in Teotihuacan, I was initiated as a Temazcalera in the tradition of Camiño Rojo de Ollintlahuimeztli with Abuela Malinalli. Traditional midwifery techniques was shared by the Mexican Mentor Naoli Vinagre, while Komala Lyra introduced me to practices of the four elements based on Tantra and Ayurveda.
With Elder Heloísa Porto, I explored the Spirit Releasement Therapy and Holodynamics methods, alongside ancient rites of Dagara people, from Burkina Fasso. The Silvester technique of Rosangela Silvestre brought me closer to the dance in the Afro-Brazilian tradition of the Orixás. Immersed in the art of Butoh, I learned from masters like Tadashi Endo, Yumiko Yashioka, Ana Medeiros, Hiroshi Nishiyama.
Guided by Suely Rolnik, my master's degree advisor in Clinical Psychology, I committed to researching the ways the capitalist system imposes bodily subjection on women. Recently, through Somatic Experience training, I have been able to name and refine many of the techniques honed over ten years of practical experience with DanzaMedicina.
These are a few of the innumerable teachers who crossed my path, and supported me in my active exercise of becoming.
The feeling of gratitude to Spirit for having DanzaMedicina brought into my life is overwhelming! Morena just brought me into amazement with her capacity and strength to push us into the storm, support us though our powerful experiences and then guide us back to shore safely. This journey allowed deep wounds to be seen, cleared and healed. I can finally feel joy, gratitude and love flowing though my heart again!
Claudia Nemes, Romania
I cried my shames, fears, and most intimate guilt. Revealing myself to other women and myself helped me let out a cry that I had been holding for years. I sobbed and surrendered to the loving care of other arms. I allowed myself to be vulnerable and taken care of. This strong and deep experience was only possible upon the surrender to the loving, caring, and strong field that was created with the communion between all of us. Morena’s thoughtful and generous look in perceiving every woman that was present and creating possibilities to allow all of them to express themselves in all of their differences and singularities was fundamental to create this safe field.
Luiza Figueiredo Lima, Brasil
This experience moved me in the deepest core of my womb. The expression of my feminine essence through so many ways in the Sacred Space of DanzaMedicina is an intense healing process. Morena is a powerful and connected woman, who inspires the world with her presence.
Vera Anja, Switzerland
“When you meet a strong woman, offer her a cup of tea, a chair, some rest, and affection. She’s probably lived great battles to be standing before you, with her vibrating body, pulsating heart, sparky eyes, and fire in her veins.”
The Girl who became the Moon
What would you say to your girl when she receives her menarche? Click here to know more about the book - Available worldwide in English Spanish, Portuguese and Basque.
body in poetry
A unique opportunity to taste the poetry and therapy of DanzaMedicina from wherever you are, through active meditations guided by Morena Cardoso.
Sign up for free and experience this powerful embodying journey through the four elements.
Would you like to bring DanzaMedicina to your community?
For partnerships and collaborations, please contact us