What is your name and location?
Dominique Sadé Harlem and Bronx, NY
How do you heal yourself? What is your favorite form of self-therapy?
Breathing exercises. Writing. Drawing. Movement. Music. I love setting the mood in my apartment. First, I cleanse my space and body with sage or Palo Santo. Then, I burn incense and play music from my Spotify playlist. I start with a breathing exercise: Pranayama or Qigong. I then either dance, practice my Yoga or light Tai Chi. Sometimes I incorporate all three! I just allow my body to move freely, releasing all toxic thoughts and energy whilst bring in positive vibes. Writing and drawing are also part of my self-therapy. When I write, it feels like I'm communicating with the Creator and allowing my spirit to express itself through words. When I draw, (mostly mandalas) it puts me in a meditative state. When I don't have any words to write, my drawings express my inner-emotions.
When/what was the catalyst that made you start?
In the end on 2012, my relationship with my ex-fiancé ended. I was stressed and lost a lot of hair which left me with a bald spot. I was out of shape, depressed and experienced multiple anxiety attacks. I was admitted to the hospital from one of my attacks and the doctor wanted me to start medication for my anxiety. I was hesitant about consuming medication from the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, I decided to research natural ways to heal my mind, body and soul. I changed my diet, started exercising, reading books and practicing yoga and meditation.
How has this form of healing helped you?
My form of healing helps me to take care of the physical, mental, and spiritual realms. When depression, anxiety, and ADD kicks in, with implementing my healing practices, I am able to recognize and combat most of the triggers. Sometimes, I just allow my body to go through the motions. I mean, a good cry can help! I now overstand the emotional rhythms in my life - the highs and the lows. My healing practices allows me to come right back to neutral. Feeling centered and balanced.
What does your process look like? (Please share what you feel comfortable sharing)
Before I start my breathing exercises, I set my intentions, chant powerful affirmations and create my aura shield. My mission is to leave all that I cannot control out of my mind and to allow my spirit to be present in the moment. My altar is set with items that I have collected during my spiritual journey. I also place my crystals on or around my altar and yoga mat. With the mood set and space cleansed, I’m ready to have an intimate, restorative, and reenergizing time to myself.
How does it make you feel when you are healing yourself?
LIBERATED. EXPRESSIVE. FREE! It feels like I'm in my own world and love it!
Why is what you do so important? Why is this form of self-helping important to you?
I feel like I give out a lot energy as an employee, a friend, a daughter, a sister, a partner, a student, just to name a few. I'm also someone who can absorb other people's energy. Therefore, I'm left feeling drained by the end of the day. When I'm not working on re-energizing/healing myself, I noticed that I can become moody. That energy bounces off to the person who is near me. Healing is not just for me, even though I'm on the top of the list! When I'm work on healing myself, I draw in positive vibes. When there is positive energy flowing through me, I can transfer that positive energy to the next person, hoping they will transfer that energy to the next person and so on so forth. It's like an energy domino effect!
What is your inspiration to continue doing what you are doing? What is the fuel that keeps you going?
No matter what, I will always believe in humanity. I strongly believe that if we all took the time to take care of our physical and spiritual needs, learn how to fall deeply in love with ourselves and overstand our higher purpose, this world can be a better place. Having compassion for ourselves teaches us how to be compassionate towards others. It starts with the person you see in the mirror. Promoting this message is great but living it is even greater.
What are your visions &/or goals?
Currently, I am a Personal Trainer, Yoga and Pilate instructor. My goal is to become a transformational coach. I want to encourage personal responsibility, self-love, self-discovery and self-evolution. By integrating mindfulness, awareness movement, strengthening, flexibility and social/emotional learning activities, I aim to help transform people’s lives. I want to help people grow forward in life. Gradual lifestyle changes will empower individuals to create a happy, healthy, and balanced life. I also want to start an organization that tailors to my vision as well as being part of other organizations that believes in healing and bringing the community together. When there is love within, our entire community benefits.
Tell us a fun fact about your form of healing, what it is that you do, or something people may not know.
I'm also a designer. I design swimwear. Seeing my sketch come to life is an amazing feeling. However, I took time off from designing. I wanted to spend more time with myself to overstand who I am as a creative individual and my message as a designer. I feel really close to launching my collection soon!
In one sentence, what is your message to the world?
Once we subdued the ego, we will have more room for personal-evolution and will be able to fall deeply in love with ourselves.
Is there is anything else that you would like to share about yourself or what your form of self-healing?
Part of healing, for me, is sharing with others. I’m ready to get more involved with my community and aid in healing more beautiful souls.
Thank you,
Dominique Sade
IG & Twitter @AfrohemianSade
Blog- www.AfrohemianSade.com