Jen Aks’ The Power of Gesture Is Healing Through Movement
Inspired by dance, yoga and meditation, The Power of Gesture is a new methodology that helps people translate their emotions into movement
The Power of Gesture, founded by Jen Aks, is a methodology that helps people translate their emotions into movement to gain confidence. The practice’s goal is to help people reshape their mindsets and establish deeper connections with others.
During the pandemic, Aks was inspired by the loneliness epidemic to found The Power of Gesture. She began to hold retreats and workshops, both in-person and online, to use movement to heal the mind. Research has demonstrated that more nerve connections exist between the hands and the brain than any other part of the body, and that the nervous system plays a fundamental role in experiencing, expressing and regulating emotions.
Aks spoke with Athletech News about her experience founding the Power of Gesture and her perspective on the growing industry trend around movement for emotional well-being.
Athletech News: Why did you start The Power of Gesture?
Jen Aks: The inception of The Power of Gesture stems from my profound belief in the alignment of mind, body and soul, where our intuition finds clarity and its voice resonates. The arrival of the 2020 pandemic ushered in a time when people seemed to drift away from their authentic selves and instead developed uncertainty, insecurities and self-doubt. It was then that I heard a calling within myself and without clear direction, I chose to walk toward it.
Having personally navigated through a sense of disconnection in my youth due to learning differences, I was able to reclaim my self-worth, strength and abilities. This personal journey ignited a passion within me to empower others to do the same. Over the years, my struggle with shame and humiliation deepened as I tried to understand my learning differences and why I felt set apart from my peers. Yet, I honed the skill of concealing these struggles through various coping mechanisms, one of which was movement. Movement became my language and helped me express myself when words could not.
Drawing upon my background as a dance educator spanning three decades, and driven by a deep desire to share my insights, I conceived The Power of Gesture. This nurturing, judgment-free space mirrors what I yearned for during my own upbringing, and now it’s my mission to offer this to the world.
ATN: Who are your main competitors?
JA: It’s fascinating because whenever I engage in workshops, speaking events, or sessions, I constantly hear a recurring sentiment: “I’ve never encountered anything quite like this.” It’s both a blessing and a challenge, as this uniqueness is a true gift. The revolutionary nature of this practice sets it apart. The foundation of The Power of Gesture is a fusion of inspired practices that have woven through my life’s journey. Elements from yoga, meditation, spirituality, internal family systems and dance converge to create this unparalleled practice.
ATN: How has movement for emotional well-being developed into a significant industry trend?
JA: The trend of using movement for emotional well-being has gained popularity due to its holistic approach that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of individuals’ lives. This trend has its roots in ancient Eastern traditions like yoga, tai chi and qigong, which recognize the connection between the body and the mind. These practices have been fostering emotional well-being for centuries by integrating mindful movements, breathing technique and meditation.
The Power of Gesture, in a similar vein, draws inspiration from various practices such as dance, yoga and meditation to create a method that allows people to translate their emotions into movement. This unique approach engages both the body and the mind, facilitating a deeper understanding of one’s emotions and promoting emotional well-being.
The trend has also been influenced by modern psychological research that underscores the benefits of physical activity for mental health. As more studies validate the positive effects of movement on emotions and well-being, the industry has embraced movement-based interventions, including practices like The Power of Gesture, as viable and effective tools for emotional healing and self-discovery!