6 Black Women Dancers Who Will Dare You To Move
Let's be honest, the world is experiencing some tough times, and on the days when it doesn't feel like things are getting better anytime soon it is best to release, relax, and tap into Black joy. One of the most effective ways to get through difficult moments is through music therapy and movement. Dance can be both a sweet escape and a great workout.
Black women all over the world have been expressing their sense of freedom, resilience, power, and creativity through dance. Here are a few ladies that are killing it in the dance industry and after watching them I guarantee you will be inspired. Watch their sensual movements on Instagram and get your whole life. It's worth it.
ASSATA JONES @assatajones
From joyously dancing and singing in her living room to becoming a background dancer for recording artist Solange, if there is anything we can gain from following the life of Assata Jones, it's that hard work and dedication truly pays off. Day by day, Assata dances through life and shares her musical journey unapologetically. Assata shows you the ins and outs of songwriting, laying down vocals, and behind the scenes as she tours the world. She demonstrates how she stays centered and fit even while on tour.
DEIJAH ROBINSON @deijahview
Deijah is a single mom, professional dancer, and model and does it all with style and grace. She has performed with artists such as Ciara, Janelle Monae, and mostly notably Beyonce. You can catch all of her joy and sensuality through dance. She is an open book and has no issue with explaining what it takes to prevail in the dance industry. We must not forget that her levels of flexibility are impeccable. She is a star in her own right. Follow Deijah's journey and watch her glow.
VONNA @yvonnewinborne
Yvonne captivates versatility in the way that she creates her choreography. She displays that whether you are wearing a pair of heels or sneakers, you can still have fun and be sexy at the same. Yvonne encourages her students to do their best and leave all of their fears onto the dance floor. Outside of dancing, Yvonne is a mental health advocate with an organization titled "Dead the Silence" which encourages people to speak on mental health issues, trauma, and how they have been victimized of violence.
KAYLA MARIE @kaylamarie.j
When Kayla dances, she really knows how to spice things up. Her high-kick split and pirouettes are on point. Kayla Marie is a former five-year NBA dancer and has danced alongside some of the greatest performers such as Ciara, Teddy Riley, and GUY. You might have seen her in the Step Up series and the latest season of Boomerang on BET. Kayla gives dance classes and shows her best moves all over the streets of Atlanta. No matter the location, whether she's on the basketball court, at the dance studio or on stage, she is giving it her all.
FANCY JONES @iam_fancyjones
Fancy in motion is the epitome of elegance. This Chicago native knows how to keep you on your toes as she continues to flourish in the dance industry. She is the founder of the S.H.E Dance group and teaches the "Fancy and Friends Dance Class" in the Chicago area. Fancy loves the stage and gives us nothing but good vibes. Her confidence is undeniable and choreography accentuates the body. Allow her simple and sexy choreography to take you away.
Leaux @_laurenlovesyew
Lauren, also known as Leaux, graces the dance floor and serves us with the best looks. She has danced alongside Lizzo and has even been a part of the Millenium 2020 Tour! She keeps us all entertained with her high-spirited dance videos and carnival experiences. When Leaux is off the dance scene, she is running her online boutique Shop Leaux where she sells stylish clothes and accessories. Leaux is a dance goddess with a lot to show and prove.
Join our xoTribe, an exclusive community dedicated to YOU and your stories and all things xoNecole. Be a part of a growing community of women from all over the world who come together to uplift, inspire, and inform each other on all things related to the glow up. We drop xoNecole events and special opportunities into our Tribe first.
Featured image via Giphy
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
We all have a dream life that we spend our free time daydreaming about. You know, the one with a loving partner, high-rise apartment, thriving career, and endless abundance. But as much as we can dream about it, there has to be a little extra sprinkle of “magic” to make it become a reality, and that’s when manifestation comes in.
The uptick in manifestation techniques is nothing new to the internet. Since The Secret and the Law of Attraction became available on YouTube in the early 2010s and fast forward to today, where #manifestationtok and #spiritualtok surging in popularity, it’s clear that there are a number of different ways to get what you want out of life with the right action, affirmation, and visualization.
Still, with so many ways to manifest, from scripting to the 3-6-9 Method, it can be hard to know which one to lean into. But there’s one new technique that’s promising to yield “instant results,” and we’re curious about it.
The "I Am Sure" Manifestation
@hothighpriestess Replying to @A I M E E 🖤 lG: hothighpriestess 🤍 this is the “I am sure” method #iamsuremethod
The “I Am Sure” manifestation gained traction this summer by TikTok creator Sara Perl of @hothighpriestess, who initially introduced the method.
In her original video breaking down the concept, she detailed the steps to use the technique for those looking to “manifest overnight.” To do so, start by stating “I am sure,” followed by “your desired manifestation in the present tense.” If there’s a job, promotion, or text from a crush that you want, then you’d say, “I am sure that I got X job,” or “I am sure that I make a $100K salary.” Repeat this out loud 10 times, or for faster results, write them down on a piece of paper and say it back to yourself whenever the desire comes up.
Using your words and speaking in the present tense, affirmatively, “puts you in the frequency that has that desire,” as Perl states. “We know our thoughts create our reality, but our words create our reality even faster.”
No matter how you choose to manifest your dream life, there’s nothing like channeling a powerful affirmation and some faith to get what you desire. In every instance, though, allow yourself to dismiss any doubt that may try to cloud your hopes in good things coming into your life, and don’t hold too tightly onto the “how” or “when.” Trust the process and know that the “thing” that you desire is just waiting for the perfect time to enter your life.
Happy manifesting.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Tassii/Getty Images
