Maria Broom is a story dancer and long ago dance shaman who brings
out the dancer in everyone, and whose rich voice soothes and uplifts.

Widely known as an actress for her roles in the HBO series ‘The Wire’
and ‘The Corner’, Maria is also a celebrated dance artist and teacher
extraordinaire. Her background in dance therapy, meditation, Homa
and yoga combined with her training in many cultural dances, make
her workshops and presentations unique and deeply healing.

Maria has taught and performed across the U.S. and around the globe.
She is a Fulbright scholar, former television newscaster, a storyteller,
public speaker and an OSI Fellow. She teaches at the Baltimore School
for the Arts and is a touring artist for Young Audiences of Maryland.

‘Songs and Stories with Miss Maria’, her interactive CD, is a delight for
the classroom or just with family. And her DVD, ‘Dancing at Home with
Maria Broom’ brings a simple and relaxing class into your room.


WHEN THE WOMEN DANCE ~ for women of all ages and sizes

Nothing can be more powerful than women who are feeling strong and sensually alive. And that power, to self-heal and to uplift the woes of the world, is at its peak when women dance. Dancing inspires courage.

This workshop begins with Homa and a restful meditation. Coming from Vedic science, Homa is the fragrant method of nourishing the atmosphere, enabling us to breathe fully and shed all stress and worry. With mind rested and body relaxed, we stretch and warm the muscles of the torso, arms and legs. Soulful rich rhythms from across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Hawaii, India and the Caribbean, bring us to our feet as we loosen the shoulders and lift up the breasts. Like island women, we tie on colorful sarongs and begin to unlock the hips and the pelvis. As our energy and joy increase, we dance like divas and angels!

We consciously direct this energy towards healing ourselves, and those we hold in our hearts. We offer our movement, gestures, love and sweat to uplift people and places that are in need. Fully brazen, we bless as we dance, we conjure medicine prayers with each shimmy and cha cha cha.

WHEN THE MEN DANCE ~ for men of all ages and their sons

There’s nothing like a contented man. A man comfortable in his skin, at home with his feelings, free to express his power and strength in dance.

The workshop begins with a quiet meditation and Homa. Relaxing and fragrant, this Vedic science of nourishing the atmosphere, enables us to breathe fully and rest deeply, releasing all stress and worry. With mind and body at ease, we stretch and warm the muscles of the torso, neck, legs and arms. Penetrating rhythms from the Caribbean, Africa and Latin America inspire broad and intricate movements that loosen stiff shoulders and unlock dormant hips. Freeing and athletic, the dancing overtakes each man. It grants him power to heal himself. Then the moves, the energy and sweat are directed towards uplifting people and places around the world. In joy, the men dance to bless all and to conjure powerful medicine prayers with each step and gesture.

DANCING TOGETHER ONE TO ONE ~ for partners moving in tandem

Dancing together is the original safe sex. It is the primal expression of attraction, intimacy and romantic love Dancing in tandem with another creates bonding in courtship. It’s a blessing and can elevate a marriage.

The workshop begins with everyone in quiet meditation and Homa. Fragrant and relaxing, the Vedic science nourishes the atmosphere, making it easy to breathe fully and rest. For a while, we can let go of worries. This
helps increase the sense of pleasure and freedom. Delicious music from the Caribbean and Latin America provides us with rhythms that awaken and loosen the torso and shoulders. These lovely familiar rhythms unlock the hips and inspire our feet to keep a pattern.

First, we practice just moving and swaying our bodies as we lightly glide around each other, barely touching. As we flirt, we discover the rhythms that call to us and make us move, noting which ones call to our partner. Then, we try on the Meringue and Cha Cha Cha, maybe Salsa and hand dancing. In the fun, we find the magic to harmonize and mesh our steps.

DANCE DUTY ~ for teachers, healers, performers, artists

How can one person help the many who suffer? What can we do for the people we know and those we don’t, who have great troubles? We can direct our healing love and send out deep comfort just by dancing for them. It’s as strong as medicine and as powerful as prayer. As teachers and healers, we must dance for others. We bless as we dance.

The workshop begins in deep calming silence and Homa. This fragrant Vedic practice of purifying and nourishing the atmosphere allows us to heal as we breathe. We rest our mind, the nerves and each muscle. After warming the torso and limbs, we begin dancing to soulful rhythms and precious melodies from around the world. We dance away our own worries and burdens and then we can dance our medicine prayers. We dance to bless those we love, all who are needy, our misguided young people, elderly who are alone, those who have been raped or abused, the land and water and everything that is unjust or out of balance.

DANCING THE WORLD ~ the basics of Hawaiian and India dance, Samba, Salsa, Flamenco

DANCING THE CHAKRAS ~ unblocking and stimulating all seven energy centers

RECOVERY AND ELDER DANCE ~ restoring rhythm and agility to shoulders, hips and feet

WHEN THE CHILDREN DANCE ~ for inspired children 6 to 12 who love to dance

CORPORATE DANCE BREAK ~ a short trip to the Caribbean with simple, fun, rhythmic fitness

To request a workshop or series of sessions: maribroom@aol.com