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Hey I’m Janaina Mendes
Founder of Embodied Prana
Movement and Nature are my first languages and dance is the poetry of these languages.
Woman, animal, wild tree, former whale, nomad and citizen of the world, endlessly researching life and questioning the cultural threads that bind us.
I’m a curious dancer, bodywork therapist, movement researcher, yoga educator, water therapist, artist, sound explorer. Researcher of the intricate connection of body, mind, spirit and Nature. Caregiver of the wild and fertile places within through movement, therapy and ritual. Constantly nourishing sensitive presence, connection and empathy.
Founder of the project “Embodied Prana” where I share internationally my existential research through my main areas of study and practice, based on the elemental forces that make up the animated world.
I believe that Art, therapy, spirituality, ecology and philosophy are inseparable and have intrinsic connection, being the body and sound/voice big portals for expansion, transformation, revelations and revolutions.
In my journey towards living my heart's deepest desires there wasn’t one singular ‘aha’ moment of clarity. It was a long process of many years trying to reconnect with myself and overcome the fears that have been implanted in me throughout my social life. For long such fears kept me trapped in a corporate job, living a shallow life with almost no enjoyment.
It wasn’t until I committed to practices that brought me back to my body and to the realisation of the Nature within me that I could find my way towards my biggest dreams (which I didn’t even know yet).
Dance, Yoga, meditation, bodywork, ancient healing arts, water therapies, breathwork, sound healing, wild performances in and with Nature - all these practices came along beautifully orchestrated and weaved together. Such practices refined my presence and showed me a way to dialogue with the openness of the great mystery.
I could finally regain a sense of purpose and belonging.
I resigned from my job and gave myself to a path I had no blueprint for. That was the biggest leap of faith I took in my life so far!
It required a huge ton of courage, trust and surrender. And it still does, as the journey is endless.
Our bodies are like precious books of wisdom, a map of our life’s experiences, interconnected with all life and its organic processes. Once we start peeling off the layers of conditioning that have been put upon it, we can allow it to move along like trees in the wild, rivers entering the sea, eagles crossing the skies.
Moving with full power from within. Recognizing and celebrating its oneness with Nature and life itself. Meeting freedom.
It’s in this spirit that I share and offer this research with you - to inspire transformation and personal growth and open up a world of magic that already lies within and around you!
My Mission
I believe we’re all (or at least a good part of us) searching for a sense of meaning and balance in life. We have big questions about life and purpose but it’s deeply personal the way we navigate these questions as each of us is so unique. I am interested in how we can honour our uniqueness and also explore our sameness and connection.
Having spent many years researching different body-centred inquiry practices and therapies around the world I’ve come to understand that beyond the different methodologies and forms they carry, there is a very special place of connection between them. A place that has no logical or linear translation and can only be touched through our unique sense of perception.
My investigation takes form through many different languages - from dance, to bodywork, meditation, sound/voice exploration, etc - but the aim is to take these languages out of their boxes and into an experiential reality, translating it into the most sacred and universal language we as humans all share - the language of NATURE.
We are Nature and it expresses itself within us and through us. It inspires us by uncovering our creative potential, the power of our imagination and intuition.
My wish is to support you to develop a sensitive capacity to be present by simultaneously listening to your body/heart and the aliveness of the world around you, through a committed and sustainable personal practice of self-inquiry through the body.
Our ability to uncover life’s mysteries rests on our willingness to trust our practices and surrender to the journey, to find our own unique ‘soul’ language.
I’m here to empower you to connect to your inner wisdom through your relationship with your body and the natural world that surrounds you, so you can unearth your potential to live authentically and move, ultimately, towards freedom.
WAYS WE CAN WORK TOGETHER
Therapeutic Bodywork
(on earth and water)
Experience the therapeutic power of bodywork on both water and land, performed through different ancient techniques like Thai Massage, Water Therapy, Chi Nei Tsang (abdominal massage), Ayurvedic Massage.
Embodying Tantric Hatha Yoga
online course
“Embodying Tantric Hatha Yoga” is an online practice journey that supports you to take your practice beyond the mat and develop mastery over the workings of your mind, so you can move beyond your limitations and gain access to expanded awareness of your true potential.
1-1 Mentoring
for yoga teachers and practitioners
Apply for three months of 1-1 mentoring, specifically tailored to Yoga teachers and/or committed practitioners who wish to take their practice/teaching to the next level, incorporating a committed and sustainable daily practice of Pranayama & Meditation into their lives.
Client love
The Thai Massage with Janaína was complete, it was very good for my body, my mind and my spirit. There was a reception beforehand so that I could explain what I was looking for in the session and the result was beyond my expectations. She handled everything in a way that I felt completely comfortable with and her technique is very precise. I intend to have sessions like this more often as a balancing practice, necessary to deal with everyday life.
IRATÃ LISBOA, BRAZIL
The Aquatic Massage session with Janaína was amazing! Very relaxing, I finished with a feeling of reconnection and felt like I was still “floating” after the session, in a state of true well-being. I had a new perception of the relationship with water, dance, massage, care and exchange (with the water, with Jana and with me). Janaina’s presence and care were remarkable. I recommend this experience to everyone!
MIRIAM, BRAZIL
I love Janaina. She is knowledgeable and at the same time humble. She not only knows her stuff, she also truly lives and embraces it, which is what I want from a teacher. I love learning from her and appreciate that she is always there for her students, that she takes time to answer all our questions and supports us in our growth and expansion. Thanks so much Jana, love you lots!
LEA VENDRAMI, SWITZERLAND
Janaina helps to find “the right road” to the journey that can lead to yourself, if you are really determined to do it. I feel so much gratitude to have met Janaina and for the chance to join her online course. With this course I was finally able to establish a daily spiritual practice – not only a Yoga fitness routine. Even in the most crazy days I was able to find an anchor in my daily meditation. In addition, I received very deep insights through the self-inquiry process we established together with the practices. I will never be able to put in words the massive amount of thankfulness I feel for having found Janaina and these teachings.
SARAH BEYE, FINLAND
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