Meet Cristina Michaels of Healing Roots Acupuncture & Queer Dance Project

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristina Michaels.

Cristina , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Queer Dance Project Classical ballet and the dance community has embraced some aspects of the LGBTQIA+ community and left others out. Queer Dance Project is stepping up to provide classical ballet, dance and movement training virtually and in-person for the LGBTQIA+ community. In conjunction to dance and utilizing their extensive experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine, there will be Queer Qi classes and videos. Queer Qi will teach individual to cultivate and strengthen their personal energetic fields.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has not been smooth! Recognizing my greatest adversaries contributed my strengths. Understanding the general toxicity in humanity helped me through rough times. Recognizing the toxic masculinity and femininity in society and learning to turn the other way. Admitting that this culture strives to undermine transgender folks. At time turning myself against me. And sadly there are those in my community that are happy to see me fail and erode positive possibilities. Reminding myself daily of these four facts.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Healing Roots Acupuncture and Queer Dance Project

Cristina is a transgender queer artist, licensed medical professional, and dance instructor of over 25 years. Cristina had a 12 year professional classical ballet career as a socialized male ballet dancer. As well as teaching classical ballet, she has choreographed modern, contemporary and classical dance pieces and is a character artist of 23 years.

Healing Roots Acupuncture is about the roots of healing, and that healing starts deep down in our soul. Tapping into those depths of each patient, and progressing forward into a healing space. Cristina has 20+ years in the complimentary medical field.

Most recently is the integration of her medical practice with her long love for dance, teaching and movement. This unique marriage has brought dance to a population that has rarely had an accepting space.

In the creation of Queer Dance Project, and a new dance studio, Cristina has started to offer the LGBTQIA+ community classical arts training along with a variety of other dance movements. In an effort to reach out to those without the means to participate in a dance class, Queer Dance Project has established the Guardian Trancestor Fund to help pay for dance cloths, shoes, and classes. You can always find Cristina methodically practicing her guitar in her spare time and commuting with the natural beauty of the world.

How do you define success?
Success is measured individually, so success is different for each person. I define it as paying it forward to a community that has the odds against it. In many ways that means a healthy business lifestyle.

Pricing:

• Ongoing Ballet classes $15.00
• Private lessons $50.00 per hour
• Initial Acupuncture Intake $100.00
• Sliding Scale Acupuncture $60-$80
• Fire Cupping 2 for $80.00

Contact Info:

• Email: queerdanceproject@gmail.com
• Website: www.healingrootsacupuncture.com
• Instagram: @queerdanceproject
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Healing-Roots-Acupuncture-105902844715753
• Youtube: Queer Dance Project

Image Credits:
Cristina Michaels