Dionne Monsanto

Dionne first tried Bikram yoga in August 2006, then did her 1st 30day Bikram Yoga challenge when she was 204 pounds in July 2010 at Bikram Yoga Harlem. She was on medical leave from her corporate career, dealing with health issues and a myriad of family challenges. In a change of lifestyle revolution, she left financial services and signed up for Bikram Yoga teacher training. She graduated from Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in June 2012 over 70 pounds lighter in body and stress. When not teaching or practicing Bikram yoga, she is a mother of 2 young men, certified life coach, West African Dance performer & teacher, actress, public speaker on mental illness, blogger, meditation leader, people gatherer and a generally overactive energetic yet sleep-deprived person. (Sleep, what is that? Isn’t that what Ardha-Kurmasansa, Half-Tortoise pose, is for?) Also certified in Living Food Lifestyle she loves preparing smoothies and dishes (raw or cooked) for her friends and family. Committed to being happy when she grows up, Dionne lives her life “INjoy” in Washington Heights.

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Dionne does not dance because she wants to but because it is how spirit expresses itself through her. She is passionate about connecting people to their joy. Coaching, teaching and dancing allow her to do so joyously. She has been entertaining audiences for over 35 years.

She began her African dance studies with Dr. Pearl Primus in 1991. She then started taking West African dance classes 3 times a week with 2 different studios in 1994. She has danced with a host of people and companies. Ojoba Dance Company, Nafisa Shariff, Harambee Dance Company, Larocque Bey School of Dance and Drum, Drumsong African Ballet Theatre (formerly known as Sabar Ak Ru Afriq), to name a few.

Since 1998, she has performed at several public and private events:

Bronx Zoo with Harambee in 1998

Aaron Davis Hall with Soul Erotica and LaRocque Bey

She has performed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music for DanceAfrica several times from 2002 to present with Larocque Bey School of Dance and Drum and Drumsong African Ballet Theatre (formerly known as Sabar Ak Ru Afriq).

Guest sabar teacher at the New School, October 2011

Taught a beginning Sabar (West African dance) class to a private group at Hedonism III, December 2011

Oberia Dempsey Multi-Service Center, December 2011

Muskegon High School in Muskegon, Michigan September 2012

Cumbe: Center for African and Diaspora Dance February 2013

She has taught West African dance to elementary school children from 1998 – 2006 at Midtown West Elementary School. She has done several workshops for youth and/or adults since 2006. She looks forward to returning to teach dance in September 2013.

She has traveled to various African dance conferences around the country to continue her studies of djembe, kutiro, and sabar dances. She looks forward to working with you to meet your educational and/or entertainment needs.

Within her coaching practice she has facilitated groups for over 10 years and is currently offering workshops for all ages on:

Goal Setting

Life After Death – Grief & Self-care

Stress relief via meditation

Power of the Breath -- Manifestation

Let her bring you joy. As a recently certified Bikram yoga instructor, dance is but one of her many mediums to re-connect people to their joy.