Come check out this incredible line up of Bay Area artists facilitating movement and words workshops in December.
community healing
Public Health and the Healing Arts @WINTEC NZ by Uzo Nwankpa
Tope Ojeme chats with Uzo on Radio Nigeria- Nigerian Pride
Tune in to Radio Nigeria to listen to Uzo Nwankpa on the Nigeria pride program with Tope Ojeme.
Air time: May 2nd Tuesday 2:30pm Nigeria Time
(3:30 AM EST|6:30 AM PST| 7:30 AM MT)
Nigerian Pride-Radio Nigeria
“A spotlight on Nigerians in the Diaspora who are living exemplary lives, thereby serving as worthy ambassadors of the Country” Radio Nigeria
Pic: Uzo Nwankpa posing with The Uzo Method Project team in Enugu Nigeria
The Uzo Method Project in Nigeria

I (Uzo) have been in Africa for the past few months traveling through cities and countries surveying the region for possible social and economic development opportunities. While in Enugu visiting my parents, every morning, I jog around the infamous Okpara Square in Independence Layout.
To my pleasant surprise, there is a large number of people who come out to exercise. The park is closed to the public however, the people have been resilient through police raids, arrests, tear gas pollution and other attempts to remove them from public property. The motivated locals set up as early as 6am daily on side walks to conduct their fitness business.
Rad Jogging club that uses live instruments as a “pod piper” to draw people in to jog with them
They even use gravel filled recycled water bottles for weights and prayer mats for floor work. I approached Emeka, one of the fitness coaches and asked if he would be willing to share his group with me. I explained that I have numerous years of group fitness experience and would love to volunteer my time supporting motivated people in my hometown. He agreed to test it out. It has been 6 weeks now and the participants are enjoying themselves.
Fitness Coach Emeka
One participant stated “I was attracted to this group because I have not yet seen a female coach around here”. This was exciting for me to see and observe her feedback. She was right. There were many independent groups (mostly women participants) led by men who they call sports coach but no female instructor in sight.
The amazing team ” Rockstars” that allowed me to crash their training session
We meet daily at 6:30am for an hour using AFAA standards. The format that I use is as follows
- Warm up and stretch
- Low impact, low intensity exercises
- Low impact, high intensity exercises
- High impact, high intensity exercises
- High Impact, low intensity exercises
- Low impact, low intensity exercises
- Weight training and Floor Work
- Cool down and stretch
The participants are also connected via the app “Whatsaap” to remind their friends to attend or to update the team on their progress.
This positive experience with Enugutians has inspired me to move forward with my dream of expanding the Uzo Method Project into Africa.
I have been thinking about this for a while and I have decided to move forward with this burning desire.
The Uzo Method Project Nigeria
Vision
To promote wellness and prevent illness from a human ecology perspective.
Mission
To create the opportunity for education using the appropriate knowledge and skills necessary to stay healthy in the mind, body and spirit.
This project in the Nigerian region will focus on wellbeing using fitness, nutrition, the arts, indigenous practices and economic sustainability practices. We need to work at wellbeing at the individual, family, community and societal level. It takes the individual to spark the change needed but the environment has to be conducive and supportive to thrive.
If you are interested in becoming a part of this process, please contact Uzo at nwankpa@gmail.com for more details.
Post War Trauma- A time to heal
Post War Trauma- A time to heal
The voice of an Igbo woman in the Diaspora
Speech presented by
Guest Speaker – Uzo Nwankpa, MSN-PH, BSN, RN
The Osisioma Foundation is dedicated to the Economic, Social and Political Agenda that TOUCH LIVES.
Wednesday Mar 23rd 2016
@ Standard Plaza, Opposite Crunches
Onitsha- Enugu Express Way
Awka, Anambra State
Nigeria, West Africa
Nga Maia ki Tamaki Makaurau
NAU MAI HAERE MAI KI TE HUI A NGA MAIA KI TAMAKI MAKAURAU
KAUPAPA FOR OUR NEXT HUI
WHERE: NZCOM Auckland Region Resource Centre,
Yarnton House, 14 Erson Ave, Royal Oak, Auckland
WHEN: Wednesday 9th December 2015, 1800 – 2130
1800 – 1930
Committee meeting and regional business hui
Nga Maia ki Tamaki Makaurau members welcome
1930 – 2130
Regional hui and guest speaker presentation
All midwives, students and whānau welcome
Christmas Hui – Highlights of 2015, looking forward to 2016 and special end of year Guest Speaker
UZO NWANKPA
MSN-PH, BSN, RN and 2015 Caroline Plummer Fellow
“The Uzo Method for Therapeutic Movement, Song and Dance”
Please bring a plate of kai to share
Enquiries to
Megan Tahere: 027 3669358 or Kaniwa Kupenga: 021 02891937
African Inspired Music and Dance Workshop/Performance in Auckland NZ
You are Invited
Friday Dec 4th 2015 7:30pm
You are invited to an interactive performance of music, dance and stories featuring Uzo Nwankpa the founder of The Uzo Method of therapeutic movement song and dance. With combination of live Drumtalk and vibrant dance with the Freedance crew, an evening of delightful energy. We will serve light refreshments. We will serve big love. It’s only 15/20 on the door. See you there.
Facebook Invitation
Workshop
Sunday Dec 6th 2015 2pm
This 2 hour movement and percussion workshop provides the opportunity to experience the healing power of the ancient African rhythms with a unique style of guided facilitation using ritual practices, songs and dances from Nigeria, West Africa and beyond. Participants will bring awareness to the integration of the mind, body and spirit which we all need to stay connected The crippling fear that prevents the natural state of the dancing body will be explored with ease allowing a gentle progression of the dance movements with the use of the vibrations of the drums. Come and experience self transformation facilitated by Uzo Nwankpa, a global figure who is merging ancient knowledge with innovation in collaboration with Drumtalk.
For booking call Jimmy Dale at 846 9663 or 021 123 2037
$20 when you book in advance by Nov 28th. $30 at the door. http://www.drumtalk.co.nz
Facebook Invitation
I am Here, We are Here- A Community performance by the 2015 Caroline Plummer Fellow
I am Here, We are Here – A performance by the 2015 Caroline Plummer Community Dance Fellow Uzo Nwankpa and the Dunedin community members. Directed by Jessica Paipeta Latton.
When: Wed 25 Nov 2015, 5:30pm–6:30pm
Where: Allen Hall Theatre, 90 Union Street East, Dunedin
Tickets : http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2015/i-am-here-we-are-here/dunedin
Bringing African music and dance as mental, spiritual and physical medicine for wellbeing, Uzo Nwankpa works with community members to tackle the grief of postnatal isolation, depression and anxiety due to hormone changes and lack of support. With live music, text and choreography, I am Here, We are Here, is a tribal celebration of the power of motherhood, sisterhood, dance and community. Limited seating available. RSVP immediately by reserving a free ticket http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2015/i-am-here-we-are-here/dunedin
This is a part of the Moving Communities Conference on 25-28 November 2015 hosted by the School of Physical Education, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. For more information about the conference, visit www.otago.ac.nz/moving-communities/index.html
Maternal-Child Community Dance Research Project- A conversation with Healthcare Providers
Calling all Healthcare Providers in Dunedin New Zealand that support pregnant women, childbirth and postnatal care to this conversation/presentation. What do you think about wellbeing and community music and dance facilitated by a healthcare provider?
Come join the conversation with the 2015 Caroline Plummer Community Dance Fellow Uzo, a community health nurse. This is a part of a research project at the University of Otago School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences.
When:October 14, 2015 1:30pm-2:30pm
Where: Queen Mary Maternity Centre Dunedin