We have some exciting news! Recently Musical Ambassador, Ari Honarvar, traveled to London and trained Shirin Amani Azari in her therapeutic dance program, a program she designed. Shirin is an award winning psychotherapist who works with refugee populations in London. After three days together they offered a workshop for recently arrived Ukrainian refugees. 
 

Dancing With Ukrainian Refugees In London

Before the session began, Ari asked everyone if they were ready to dance. They responded with, “We don’t know how to dance,” or “We are just going to watch.” They were very much set on not dancing.

But Ari has learned over the years how to get people moving. “We emphasize the mental health benefit of what we do, of having a sense of camaraderie with each other through music, dancing and movement. We shake out our stress and give our depression and anxiety to the ground. As the session progressed they were all in that mode. Then, about half way through, they forgot everything I said and were just dancing and having a good time!”

"There were so many tears. They just had to pack up and leave 

and were still disoriented."
 

At the end, as they were all holding hands for the closing circle and were saying “Long life and glory to Ukraine,” they were crying, laughing and in an exalted mood. This was everyone, including grandmas, grandpas and little babies. 

"It's always a miracle for me when I see who comes through the door and what happens toward the end. I feel so fortunate and so lucky to be part of this organization.”
 

Both Shirin and Ari are refugees. According to Ari, that really helps. "We always see a shift when they learn that. They know that we have an understanding of what they are going through.”

We are so happy to welcome Shirin to our Musical Ambassador family and look forward to continuing to help her bring the joy of music to the growing refugee populations in London! 

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