Client Feedback

“I think reflecting on some of the more challenging parts of my life - and how each of those times provided a springboard to self exploration - opening up a huge field of interest and pursing deeper truths” …..

I loved how in working with Jennifer, she encouraged me to find movements that represented the emotions of my past and free form dance to them. It was an exquisite thing to feel, express, move to, and capture on video.” — C.R.

 “Jen provides a safe artistic and collaborative space for every woman's unique voice to be heard and seen. Her thoughtful process engages the creative light within while guiding you from the beginning, middle and through the end of the project. She has a wealth of knowledge in the performing arts and her choreography feels good for the soul. Working on “9 Women” was a project that helped me escape the current day to day world we live in by connecting me to my colleagues and friends, uniting us though we remain at home. I'm grateful for Jen's artistic vision and her creative spirit.” — A.R.

It was such a gift to be able to do this with Jen. Her depth, heart-centeredness, creativity, and passion for this work make her the perfect person with whom to go on this journey. What a unique experience! After laying out my personal herStory, & clarifying the lens through which I wanted to tell it, she intuitively guided me through movement practices that brought me further inward into my body and my wisdom. I loved collaborating with her and seeing her genius at work when creating my video movement story. She has such an incredible eye for film visuals & aesthetic details. She held my hand through the whole process and it was so much fun! With her creative expertise, her extensive knowledge of the way the body moves, her respect for women’s wisdom, and her knack for deep connection, you’re in the best of hands with Jen. Highly, highly, highly recommend!!! — C.A.

“Dance HerStory came at the perfect moment in my life — allowing me to tell the story of my recent hip surgery and how it impacted me both as a lover of dance and a person. Jen helped me storyboard, while also giving me freedom, encouraging creativity, and helping me find beauty in asymmetry. I’m so glad I did this — I saw myself in a new light and healed along the way.” - N.C.

“Working with Jen felt like coming home at a time I did not feel at home. I've done a lot of work with different "healers" and have always wondered about how I am perceived after "straying from the path" or somehow redirect my caring energy to make my session about them. Jen truly creates a strong space of acceptance, where it's undoubtedly apparent she is here for me. Her connection to women and their/our stories is shown in her body and words. Healing never feels easy but the gift of watching my body through her eyes with her direction and video editing has made this program so helpful. The sincerity in her being, seeing the part of me that lives in her, allowed me to see my beauty again.” —J.C.

“Jen is an amazing human - she has a way of making you feel completely comfortable and supported while leading you through making your movement story. I am forever grateful to her for holding space for me while completing this project together!

It can be daunting and honestly scary to share with someone a part of your life story, especially a part that you have been avoiding. Jen did an amazing job of really holding space for me to open up and confide in her that part of my life story. She also helped me clarify the emotions associated to each particular chapter of my movement story. With her kind and encouraging words I was able to move, feel, and in the end, capture something truly special that I will cherish. Thank you so much Jen!” E.C.

“Working with Jen is a gift.  Her kindness, care, and understanding run through all that she does.  Being in the studio with Jen, I feel seen, heard, and valued.  And sharing space, creating, and expressing with a group of empowered women is incredibly healing and soul elevating." — K.M.

“Jen is an amazing woman. To be able to look at a person's life and see it as a work of art is not something most people can do or would even think to do. But that's what Jen does. She listens to your story, then turns it into a work of art. She carefully, thoughtfully and lovingly pulls all the pieces together and creates a masterpiece.” M.C.

“In August 2020, I had the opportunity to work with Jennifer Aks-Neuman on a virtual dance project titled “9 Women.” I also worked with Jennifer on a non-virtual dance piece throughout the Fall of 2019. From the get-go, working with Jen in collaboration with my colleagues on these projects was very special and something I will treasure for years to come. Knowing Jen from our workplace, I have watched her teach, direct and create powerful work with the young dancers of the National Dance Institute (NDI). When she initially asked me if I would like to participate in a dance project, I could not let the opportunity pass. Though shy, a little nervous at first, and dealing with an injury, those feelings dissipated as we all journeyed through the process together. Jen provided a safe space in which I could confidently move, explore and express myself in connection with my colleagues. 

She will bring to life a beautiful, collaborative piece of work you can then share with family, friends, and treasure for a lifetime. I highly recommend my brilliant colleague and friend, Jennifer Aks-Neuman to anyone interested in engaging in a movement herStory project!” — M.K.

“Working with Jen was an experience every mom should indulge in. Initially, I was concerned about having to dance with a bad hip! Jen convinced me it is not about dancing but more about sharing our own story. 

It was great to take the time with my family and just enjoy the moments and have them captured. 

It was inspiring to share my story, and more so my time with my children.  Too often stressful days can pass us by, and we question our parenting etc, at least I know I do. Seeing my children with me in the video enhanced our bond and encouraged me to continue on my path because all is well!

I honestly get chills every time I watch it. We as moms think we are alone. Like things only happen to us. It is great to see the other moms shared similar experiences.” G.C.

“I met Jen on a Zoom call and it was friend-love at first sight! I was attracted to her essence. Jen guided me in a way that was gentle , trusting. Jen held a container with trust so that I could go through my process. Jen has a way of connecting and capturing essence. She is funny, compassionate and has a way to make you feel like "home". She naturally uses her creative genius bringing all the pieces together forming a masterpiece of a person's spirit. While I shared my story , there was, of course emotion. At the same time, I knew I was in the mind part of my story; expressing in words. A switch was initiated when I got on my mat to film. I let the words go, the emotions revealed themselves, and the tears started to flow. I didn't avoid or deny them, I allowed them in. At first, I felt the need for my body to still. But my breathing quickened and I felt myself shaking because of the tears and emotion. I flew safe with Jen and began to move intuitively .” B.S.

“I recently had the pleasure of working with Jen Aks-Neuman on a collaborative dance piece. The piece was both choreographed by Jen and each of my fellow dance teachers’ singularly. When working with Jen you feel an immediate sense of calm and an energy to dive in deep. She is acutely aware of how humanely we are affected emotionally and physically to space, time, and sound. With this awareness she just “gets it” and is able to tap into each person or dancer’s need to express. 

With Jen guiding us, we were able to lean on her expertise to help tell the story we were all wanting to tell for this; the need to escape our physical and mental isolation due to the pandemic. We were each given sections of music to fill with our own movement. There were times that I struggled to create the choreography that spoke to the music and my personal feelings, but Jen has a way to be both supportive to the process and simultaneously build you up to find your confidence through the sometimes hard stuff that is lodged in our psyche. The breakthrough in these moments is the heart of the real work we do in life, right? 

If you are looking to have a personal breakthrough that is capsuled in a movement of your body and soul, you need to do this! Not only was I able to physicalize some of the things I was personally going through but I was able to collaborate and validate with my friends and colleagues on a project that will forever capture a time. This is particularly a great time for us all to capture an even bigger movement, a movement of the feminine power, of the human power to unite and to eventually rise above!” — D.P.

“Loved working with Jen in both the studio and virtually. Always warm, compassionate, creative and generative, she is a true collaborator. Jen gives clear, concise, juicy direction and brings out the beauty of every dancer. She creates a safe, professional space for every body to take risks, connect and enjoy the process.” K.G.

“Working with dance herStory allowed me to take a moment and reflect on what's important to me. Jen allowed me to feel comfortable, open and inspired. My story is unique to me, but she intertwined it with my friends to show how we all have individual voices, but make a beautiful chorus together. My video is a priceless gift that will remind me of this moment in life, and I am forever grateful for the experience.” —D.P.

“Watching my story was a somatic experience! I felt so much around my heart and in my chest. I got emotional at times feeling the well of tears. Witnessing myself in my story reminded my body of all that it felt as it lived it. The pain that is still palpable and the activation of self worth that is so clear to this day what I have gained through all I have gone through.” R.R. - Founder of Rise Gatherings

“The feeling of being alone can be crippling for the mind and body. Trust me, I have been there, I know the feeling too well. I teamed up with dance herStory to share “HerStories”. This is an alternative creative way to share your personal journey. I am a big believer in putting pen to paper to document your feelings, but I found this to be like a diary entry that encourages you to move, which can be so healing. Jen encourages you’re movement to be whatever you want it to be whether it is walking, running, or yoga. As she says, “dance is a metaphor for how you move through your life.” N.M.