There is intrinsic wisdom within your body, movement that is connected to the great unfolding all around us. Our mission is to to help you learn to get out out of the way, allowing this dance to embody you.
We each hold over 30 years of individual and collaborative teaching and leading experience. Everything that we do: classes, workshops, and movement programs, designed to be fun, creative explorations that hold seeds of healing within them. We offer in-person, Hybrid and at-home audio programming. Our robust range of opportunities encourage you to develop a lasting trust in your body, your movement practices, and your own creativity.
The dance is calling. Perhaps it’s time to step in.
audio movement programs
Audio Movement Programs
Our audio programs are carefully designed to provide an intimate exploration of movement, imagination and connection to self. With guided instruction they are crafted to be done on your own, when the moment moves you, without video or time constraints.
Each audio file has a topic or theme that is explored through guided inquiry that is balanced with uninterrupted space for movement. The instruction is an entryway into body awareness and sensation, while the curated music is offered to support your movement exploration.
With our audio programs you can create an optimum experience for yourself by logging in at the best time for you! We invite you to carve out space for yourself in the morning, during a lunch break, or before bed, and discover how fostering a personal movement practice will enrich your life!
weekly classes
sunday
Deeply rooted in bringing people together, our Sunday Morning sessions connect us through a rich history of movement exploration that spans nearly three decades. Offering both guidance and space for your own personal dance, you are encouraged to embrace and celebrate your physical body exactly as you are.
Sundays begin with an invitation that serves as a starting point to bring us into the moment and into our bodies, while sparking curiosity. Through out the hour and half, additional guidance is offered to deepen the experience, while a curated playlist creates a landscape for movement experimentation. We always encourage you to explore the dance that shows up and to foster enjoyment in the ways your body wants to move. As the class comes to its conclusion, we rest together for a few moments to savor our experience before a closing circle.
To compliment our guided sessions and create space for extended personal exploration we reserve one Sunday a month as a ‘practice session’. This class also begins with body inquires that ground us while opening pathways towards inner connection and embodiment. The rest of the session is reserved for folks to follow their own curiosity without external guidance.
Our hybrid Sunday sessions continue! Once a month the in-person Portland dancers welcome those dancing from home via Zoom. The link for online access is provided upon registration.
We welcome new dancers as well as those who may be returning to our floor.
Please reach out if you have questions.
We look forward to dancing with you!
In-person Every Sunday
please preregister
Hybrids
(in-person and online)
with meshi:
february 15
march 8
Practice Sessions:
(with less guided instruction)
march 1
monday
Butoh Foundations focuses on building tools of awareness, attention, and curiosity while strengthening the connection between the body, the mind, and our own creative intuition. In this fully-guided session, you develop a practice of mindfulness, discover new movement tools, and a connect with dancers from around the globe. With this dance practice there is no such thing as a good or bad move. This 75-minute drop-in class is led by Meshi Chavez.
tuesday
Words are all around and within us. They often occupy our minds and fill the spaces between us. Is it possible to greet them with a sense of curiosity and find ways to befriend them. We might even discover new gateways into movement.
Movement and Metaphor sessions begin with a guided process that has evolved over the years. The structure engages and welcomes your inquisitive insightfulness, while connecting us with each other. Together we create a passage of words that provide a different entry point into movement. Once this process is complete the second part of the class is dedicated to freely moving with the words, insights and wonderings that arrived.
Join us at the edge where words meet movement.
movement + metaphor
with winky
5:30 – 7 pm PST
$25 – $15 sliding scale
Online Only
workshops + current events
spring equinox event
in-person with winky wheeler
As the days lengthen and early flowers sprinkle our landscape, I invite you to join me in honoring the seasonal shift from winter to spring. Beginning with setting intentions and creating concentric circles in the space, this event encourages us to slow down. Lets turn away from all that crazy that demands our attention and be together in gentle time.
The Set up:
This event is structured by creating two concentric circles. The first is comprised of cushions which provide a place for sitting contemplation and journaling. Within that ring is another made with stones that are infused with our intentions. The circle of rocks create two spaces: between the ring of contemplation and the stones is for walking meditation, while the inner circle is dedicated to dance.
Together we set the space, with attention and intention. Then the balance of our time will be spent on moving, walking and contemplating the change of season and how we want to honor and celebrate it.
spring equniox event
march 20 • 7-9pm • $30
at: new expressive works
810 SE Belmont
summer dance camp 2026
at Joes with Meshi and winky
august 28 ~ 30
don’t miss this
amazing, fun, connecting, joy-filled event!
This annual dance gathering is an inspirational respite from regular life and a wonderful thing to add to the end of summer. We gather to dance under the big sky, to share delicious food and to be in each others good company.
- Woven through the weekend:
• a workshop experience
• two evening dances under the stars
• fun, games, and splashing in the pool
• The Gratitude Dinner: celebrating all that dance brings to our lives.
Located on private property in McMinville Oregon,
you really don’t want to miss this fun!
Schedule:
- Friday:
arrive anytime after 12pm set up camp
potluck dinner at 7pm
dance under the stars 8-10pm - Saturday
10am – 1 pm: workshop
afternoon of fun, games and pool time
The Gratitude Dinner
dance under the stars - Sunday
11:30 – 1 pm: dance
lunch and a final dip in the pool
Pricing
- full event: $275
- saturday and sunday: $200
- sunday only: $60
This is a camping event…and this year we are organizing a near by AirBnb for those who would prefer that option. The cost for that is separate.
Join us for a magical weekend!
meet us
Meshi Chavez
Meshi is a teacher, choreographer, dancer, and a maker. His mentors include choreographer Denise Fujiwara and Natsu Nakajima. His work has allowed him to teach and present around the world. He has taught at Schumacher College and choreographed Dance Company Middlebury at Middlebury College. He frequently collaborates with author and theologian Matthew Fox, teaching Movement as Meditation – A pathway to experience the Spirit . Currently Meshi is Artist in Residence 2021- 2023 at Middlebury College in Vermont. He continues to be enthralled with the simple yet profound impact that movement has on the mind and being. He truly believes that creativity and a willingness to go into the unknown is the secret to happiness. Find out more about Meshi
Winky Wheeler
Winky is a movement leader who creates opportunities for people to find the unique expression that exists in every body. She delights in the ways embodiment ignites creativity, draws us deeper into ourselves, informs our daily life, and brings us closer to The Mystery.
Her many roles as a movement leader include: a creative collaboration with Meshi Chavez that spans more than twenty years, a teacher and leader within the Soul Motion Community, creator of The Morning Sojourn, and other innovative approaches to movement adventures.
Winky’s long dedication to movement as spiritual practice, and her deep connection to nature and the creative process, inform the imaginative ways she approaches and offers movement. Join her on the dance floor ~ both zoom and in-person.
Join Middlebury’s Artist in Residence for this 5 day dance intensive as we explore movement, practice creative generation and focus on transforming our discoveries into potent meaningful metaphors.
In this workshop we open our arms and imaginations to words as a gateway into dance. Using a process that Winky has developed over fifteen years, you are guided into movement from an original angle. Discover how poetic phrases can spark your curiosity, and build unique connections with others and movement. Not only will be dance, but we will create new writings ~ alone and together.
Seeker, Dreamer, Explorer of the Unknown ~