Jenia from Booty Bootcamp 8/14/23
I had the pleasure to sit down and talk with Jenia Mikel, master twerker and the mastermind of Booty Bootcamp. Jenia is a twerking entrepreneur and mother in Cincinnati, Ohio. I found Jenia on Instagram and was immediately drawn to her page. Her social media instruction on how to twerk is informative, easy to follow and her reels are simply captivating. Once I clicked on her page and found she was in Cincinnati, Ohio, my hometown and a hour and half drive from where I currently live, I made it my business to take her next class.
Jenia brings an energy to her work that is needed in the practice of dance. She's uplifting and understands that the practice of dance is a form of women's empowerment. For many women dancing or learning to dance can be an uncomfortable experience. Some women fear being judged for activating their hips. They never danced and are afraid to step out of their comfort zone. Some women fear being body shamed.
The flipside dancing is therapeutic. Activating the pelvis and rotating the hips releases trauma from the body. Many women are unaware that opening and activating the hips is empowering because it releases stored trauma, increases creativity and activates the sacral chakra which is the pleasure center.
In fact, historically, and as a culture, African- American women have been taught misconceptions about their creative energies. When it comes to their bodies and physically expressing themselves, African American women have been shamed for moving too freely and have been called "fast". However, moving your body freely is a divine birthright, a form of expression and symbol of power in many cultures.
African American women have been body shamed because of their curves. It wasn't until 1992, when Sir Mix A Lot released Baby Got Back that mainstream images and ideas about big butts were revolutionized and became popular. Now, women from various cultural backgrounds strive to have curves and desire to move their curves for the sake of their own pleasure and their partners.
Jenia is a twerker, a fitness instructor, an advocate for empowering women and a health and wellness advocate. She teaches a perinatal class in partnership with She Doula Services, the 3rd Saturday of every month which is completely free to everyone. Her Booty Bootcamp is the 2nd Sunday of every month, both are at REDefined Studios. You can also take one of her online classes.
You can watch the YouTube here to hear from Jenia; as she speaks about dancing, the effects of opening your sacral chakra and owning your body. You can find her Instagram page @jeniaMikel.