Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Johanna ‘Zenobia’ Krynytzky. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Johanna ‘Zenobia’ thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
The most meaningful project I’m working on is *always* the current one! I am blessed that my parents always taught me to follow my inspiration; which encouraged me to be open to life’s opportunities. I strongly believe that by following my curiosity and imagination, I am truly connecting to my life’s purpose. If someone had told me years ago that I would be running one of the largest adult cultural dance studios in the US, while finalizing my Dance Leadership Development Program, I would have thought they were nuts! Instead, I was allowed to gradually and gracefully evolve into the position I”m in today – by following inspiration at each moment.
By making my joy, curiosity, and creativity paramount, life presented me with opportunities – to travel to Istanbul to discover belly dance. To start taking dance classes and performing in Chicago nightclubs. To leave my job in museum education to study the body and belly dance. To collaborate with other dance artists. To start a Studio. To keep performing. To start performing troupes. To create festivals and curate performances. To start training my teachers. To study business, yoga, teaching, anatomy. To be curious about emotional intelligence. To learn how to be an effective leader and delegate so I can keep moving forward.
All these elements, which especially at the beginning felt very disconnected and scattered, have all come together in unexpected ways! My training at the Field Museum in the Education Department taught me how to handle programming performances and classes – all of which I use running my studio. The courses in Massage Therapy taught me about healthy, balanced bodies which served me well while teaching dance. My 500 hour Yoga Teacher Training not only deepened my understanding of myself, and all the elements of yoga from mediation to ancient texts and philosophy, but also gave me insight on how to develop and structure a teacher training program for belly dance. Years of performing gave me poise in front of a camera, a class, an auditorium, or a microphone. Leadership training helped me cultivate a strong, caring community – one of the foundations of the mission statement of my company. Self-development led me to a healthier understanding of myself, emotional intelligence, and added depth to what I wanted to offer the world.
So now, my company Hip Expressions can offer dance classes and the support to maintain them, while I work on my most exciting project ever – my Dance Leadership program!
What I discovered is that there were many incredible performers and dancers out there, and most were inspired not only by performing on a stage, to a live audience, or with live music, but also loved to share their joy by teaching others. However, most transitioned from performer to instructor without any training on HOW to teach or run a classroom. And I could relate to these people because I was one of them!
I learned that there was so much damage to people that could be done by an untrained instructor. This began with actual physical bodily harm – from not understanding which muscles were being engaged, incorrect or insufficient stretching, poor class body mechanics, warm-ups, and physical practices. Even more upsetting was how much psychological and emotional damage could be done – not on purpose of course! Students who come to class already feel so awkward and insecure, just a few key judgmental comments – usually well-meant of course – could send a student plummeting into a pit of shame and self-deprecation. Often these students would never return, to potentially heal their hurts through positive encouragement.
In constructing the Hip Expressions Dance Leadership program, I was able to bring together very simple strategies that were completely unused in current dance or dance fitness class standards. These strategies abolish opportunities for these potentially shameful situations to occur, and set the stage for success for the student, the class, and ultimately the instructor. Just by bringing an instructor’s attention to a few details on class set up and anatomy could do a world of difference when it comes to the health and wellness of the students, leaving them feeling balanced, successful, joyful, and inspired! Healthy and inspired students not only return for more classes, but take that attitude out into the world with them wherever they go.
This ripple effect has vast potential!
In a world where fitness, dance, and body shaming go hand in hand nearly everywhere we look – this opportunity to enthusiastically and creatively blend physical, emotional, and spiritual (creative) well-being is indeed super exciting! The Certification program coaches instructors to deepen their understanding of their own self-saboteurs and emotional intelligence so they can craft intentional classrooms designed for everyone’s success. In this nine-month program, I’m grateful to be partnering with Positive Intelligence. Not only are there workshops, webinars, worksheets, meetings and Q & A, but also an app personalized for every participant to keep them moving forward consciously and effectively, strengthening their mental capacity as we go.
I’m super excited about this because it means that the Hip Expression ideals – community, friendliness, and inspiration – can spread beyond our studio here in St Petersburg, Florida. So many of our dancers move away and literally stop dancing because they are so disappointed by other studios. If I can train dancers from all over the world into instructors who embody our ideals, we will literally make the world a better place, not just our little corner of it! It’s so inspiring the potential reach to create positive, lasting change!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hip Expressions is an inclusive, cultural, creative movement community. We help people who are curious about dance explore joy through movement in a body-positive environment! People of all ages, shapes, sizes, colors, skill levels etc are welcomed and encouraged to explore a variety of movement forms. Our base is a variety of styles of belly dance, from traditional to fusion styles, but also include Polynesian Dance, Brazilian Samba, Nia, Flamenco, Yoga, BellyYoga, and Fire Dancing! We have been in St Pete since 2004, and host over a dozen instructors. Many of our instructors are professional performers in their genre, while others are highly trained and educated but hold other career paths and talents as well. Our dance troupes and performing opportunities are open to ALL dancers; we do not discriminate, but offer clear paths to train to be part of our shows.
As far as Studios go, we are unique because we offer and encouraged participation at all levels, and in many different styles, and come together for monthly showcases and community events. We host annual cruises and other activities which strengthen our commitment to community, friendliness, and and over-all positive vibe!
Our Dance Leadership Development Program was founded to train dancers and instructors to effectively share their inspiration with others. This program helps dance teachers gain next-level leadership skills to attract and build a healthy dance community. What makes the program unique is that it is NOT technique or style based – it is designed specifically for teachers of ANY genre of dance! Come, knowing your craft, and we give you the tools to pass on your knowledge and grow talented, strong, dedicated, healthy, and happy dancers and build your community.
My love for international cultures began at a young age, born a first generation Ukrainian-American in Boston, I was always exposed to international festivals and fairs which we participated in. At the University of Chicago, I was drawn to study cultural anthropology, deepening my love for different cultures and customs. Then, I fell in love with belly dance when my grandmother took me on a tour of Turkey and I saw my first belly dance show….then I was further inspired by the freedom and fun every person – man, woman, grandparents and children – had on the dance floor at the dance clubs. I started classes and after eight weeks was on the stage performing dance for the first time ever!
After graduating with degrees in Art History as well as Anthropology, I worked at the Field Museum in Chicago in the Education Department. Observing how many of the people who worked there were passionate about their work, I knew life was too short not to follow my passion, so I moved in with my aunt in Florida, and started Massage Therapy school. I mean, no one made a *living* off of belly dance, so I needed a back up! Ironically, my massage therapy career never took off, as I was too busy teaching and performing belly dance, collaborating with musicians and dancers… my path was clear!
: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Early on, I would say curiosity was the main force driving my creative journey. I am very fortunate that my parents always encouraged us to follow whatever brought us joy – we just had to be doing *something*! I enjoyed drawing, writing, and even at a young age was chosen as a ‘Natural Leader’ and sent to a training camp in Middle School. The other early influence I think was a collaborative and helping atmosphere growing up. Taking care of others was very important, as the oldest of three girls, I grew up having to be mindful and courteous of others and helping care for those around me.
As my path evolved, I started to gain the awareness that my job was to stay clear and open to my role in the world, So many miracles and coincidences would open up when I was following my inspiration that I knew I was on the right path. That’s when I started to learn that my number one job is to be clear about my intent, and stay tuned to the path the universe was opening up. It was hard to choose! So many opportunities in life present themselves; how do we know which to pick? The answer I’ve found is to get quiet and still, ground myself in the present moment, without buying into all the what ifs, and feel into my gut as to where to say yes, and where to say no.
Do I make mistakes? Yes, all the time! That’s how we learn. Make a choice, and, see what happens. Then make another one! I’ve learned that I am not powerful enough to screw up the universe’s plan for me. Every mistake can and is used as an opportunity to learn, and keeps me moving in the direction of my life’s path. Where I end up, that’s not the point. How I learn along the way, how I handle things – that’s the point.
The only way I can stay in the present moment and keep myself on course is to make sure I stay balanced – take time to rest and have fun between inspirational projects. Even the most compelling, fulfilling projects can’t be worked on all the time. I love to honor my relationships with my partner, family, dog, and friends! And take time for myself too! I find the best connections in nature – on the beach, in the forest, or even just under the trees in the backyard. That’s when I can tune to the resonance of the earth-stuff from which we are made, and get out of the ramblings of my mind.
I guess that’s the main goal, or mission… it’s my to-do list… I have it posted on my bathroom mirror…
1. Show up
2. Pay attention
3. Connect with the divine within
4. Do the next right thing to spread love
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
In my opinion and experience – there is no such thing as a non-creative person! By definition, we live because we are creative. We are faced with a thousand choices every day – from what to buy at the grocery store, to how to compose an answer to a question, to what we wear, or what we do with our time. I think what too often happens is that we are affected by a random circumstance: We are told we are not creative by a teacher. Our curiosity is discouraged by a well-meaning parent who wants us to focus on something else. No one pays us enough attention. Parents don’t invest in paint, music lessons, or support what we want. We fall into a habit. Any one of a thousand circumstances can lead us to believe we are not creative, or not help us enjoy exploring what inspires us.
Now, I’m not saying we’re all great painters, but it’s a matter of continuing to explore what inspires us. If we are stilted too many times along the way, we stop exploring. We stop being curious. We stop being aware. Even if we still do the. number one things on my to-do list, which is to Show Up, we don’t do the second thing – pay attention. Then the creative process is submerged.
But, it’s still there! Some are creative with numbers, some with their bodies in sports or dance, some with ideas, leadership, cooking, dog training… there are as many possibilities out there as there are people to be inspired by them! If you haven’t found what inspires you yet, keep looking! Yes it’s hard, and can be discouraging. But when you keep moving… guaranteed you WILL find it.
The other thing to keep in mind is – creativity is NOT about making money. Well, okay there are people for whom making money is creative, but that’s not what I’m talking about. Find something you love to do – and do it, NOT because you are good at it. NOT because it makes money. NOT because other people like it. Do it PURELY because YOU LOVE TO DO IT.
THAT is creativity.
No attachment to outcome. No approval, no validation needed. No expectation.
Just because it brings you joy.
Now GO, do something FUN!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hip-expressions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellydanceyogini/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johanna.krynytzky
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannaxenobia?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/hipexpressions
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hipexpressionsdance
Image Credits
Robert Akins Taylor News Channel 10 John Mazzello Chuck Vosburgh