In recognition of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month and culture, the Office of Healthcare Equity partnered with the Whole U and Brasil In Motion (formerly Bahia in Motion), an award-winning Brazilian Arts organization based in Seattle, to offer employees a workout class rooted in various styles of Brazilian dance over the summer. This outdoor experience brought colleagues together at Harborview Medical Center’s View Park to celebrate culture, connect, and prioritize movement and wellness in the workplace.
Participants learned dances rooted in Brazil’s rich cultural traditions, including Afro-Brazilian dance, Samba de Roda, Samba no Pé, Samba Reggae, Forró, and carnival-inspired street dances, while enjoying the benefits of physical activity and fresh air to boost their mood before heading back to the office or clinic. Affinity groups currently take place through UW Medicine’s Cultural Community Connection event series, which celebrates all backgrounds, ethnicities, and identities while fostering learning, belonging, and connection. These opportunities are open to all who support and are committed to this mission.
Daniel Nery dos Santos, known as Mestre Pitta, was born and raised in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil and co-directs the dance studio in Fremont with his wife, Aileen Panke. They are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming community and building cross-cultural bridges through the arts. With more than 30 years of training in Capoeira and Afro-Brazilian dance, he joyfully shares his native Afro-Brazilian heritage through two of the most significant artistic expressions of Black Brazilian culture. Daniel believes that Brazilian dance and Capoeira help us build stronger connections with ourselves, one another and the world around us while cultivating the healing and celebration of our shared humanity.
Their work is rooted in the importance of a balanced body, mind and spirit, and the integral role the arts and cultural awareness play in nurturing this balance. A driving force in their work is encouraging people to find joy within themselves and transform life’s challenges through the arts and in the spirit of working with culturally diverse communities. Present and past collaborations include Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Pacific NW Ballet, Seattle Theater Group, Spectrum Dance Theater, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Starbucks, Seattle Symphony/Benaroya Hall, University of Washington, and Cornish College of the Arts.
The Office of Healthcare Equity will be sharing new programming in the coming months to expand the impact of Affinity Groups and our offerings.
Follow Brasil in Motion on Instagram at brasil_in_motion. Brasil in Motion is an official partner with the Whole U and available to curate unique workplace engagement opportunities for your team!
