World Summit 2010 Presenters: Zuleikha

International dancer/performer and teacher in the art of movement and story, Zuleikha, inspires awareness of body and health. Zuleikha's training comes from intensive years of study from master teachers of healing and movement in eastern and western traditions, some of which include American avant-garde dance, Indian Kathak, classical music of Afghanistan, and Balinese and Japanese dance. Zuleikha has developed a unique movement technology based in contemporary and traditional music and movement.

Inspirational performance artist and storydancer, Zuleikha, a whirlwind of spirit, rhythm, and dance, transports her audiences with stories of nature, world lore and life itself. Edinburgh Guide describes Zuleikha as "a singular figure on the horizon of sacred theater and dance, a mistress of countless faces, who moves effortlessly through space." Zuleikha uplifts theater audiences with her very funny, soul-stirring solo performances and collaborates with world musicians and poets, including the late African drum master Baba Olatungi, jazz guitarist Bruce Dunlap, cellist David Darling, vocalist/instrumentalist Jai Uttal, world percussionist Glen Velez, composer/cellist, Eugene Friesen, avant-garde composer/pianist Terry Riley, and Coleman Barks, poet and translator of Rumi.

Zuleikha has developed a series of Core Wellness Exercises, called TAKE A MINUTE^TM to build resilience, promote wellness and are simple, effective, and fun to do. These exercises are being used in hospitals and health care centers, schools, government agencies and corporations, internationally. Zuleikha's book TAKE A MINUTE^TM with accompanying DVD is now available to the public.

Zuleikha is an exceptional teacher and inspires people from all walks of life. She works with healthcare practitioners, children and adults recovering from cancer, adults with mental illness, and people with difficulties in their lives. Zuleikha has been working in collaboration with Cynda Rushton, PhD, RN, FAAN from Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, in a research project for nurse's renewal. Zuleikha works with youths in school, performs assembly programs, offers workshops for teenage girls, and teacher trainings. She also offers specially designed programs for women, corporations and international organizations and conferences.

Zuleikha is the Founder and Executive Director of The Storydancer Project. The Storydancer Project is a non-profit, international artistic health resource organization bringing awareness of health and body through movement, exercise, rhythm, melody and story to those in the world challenged by life's circumstances. The Storydancer Project partners with different organizations worldwide including the Nightingale Initiative for Global Health.

Zuleikha through her international artistic health resource program, The Storydancer Project, Inc., teaches and gives trainings for teachers, social workers and health practitioners. The Storydancer Project partners with the following organizations: Hope Project Charitable Trust, Delhi, India; CanSupport, Delhi, India, Palikoodam School, Kerala, India, Sri Yasodara Orphanage, Sri Lanka, Shilpa Children's Trust, Sri Lanka, Peacemaker Circle & Holy Land Trust, Israel (some of the programs in Tikvah & Bethlehem include: Schneider Children's Hospital; Dar Al Kalima School, Children's Defense Fund, St. Joseph's School), Auravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, India; Santa Fe Public Elementary Schools - WHAT'S IN A STORY literacy, wellness, creativity programs.

Zuleikha is the recipient of the prestigious Humanitarian Award from Pediatric Nursing Journal for her global work with women and children suffering from the trauma of war, disease, poverty and loss of family. Zuleikha received the honor of being appointed to the New Mexico Council on Physical Fitness and Health for four years. She created a "Come as You Are" stretch movement program for New Mexico State employees.

Zuleikha's recent work and related links:

• The Storydancer Project