Pleasure, Dance, and Ancestral Joy
My word for 2023 was Pleasure. It’s a charged word, I’ve noticed, when I shared my intention with others—some responded with a hint of discomfort, others with delightful resonance, most were curious to learn more.
My intention of pleasure was sparked by multiple elements, but one that stands out to me is the giddy joy and delight I feel while dancing traditional Korean dance, a practice I started early 2022.
Traditional Korean dance originated 5000 years ago as part of Korean shamanic rituals. It’s an incredibly spiritual, embodied practice, and from the very first class, it was a full body YES. ✨
(For those of you who follow Human Design, I’m a 5/1 emotional generator so that feeling of satisfaction and being lit up was very palpable.)
For basically all of 2022 and 2023, I was deeply devoted to my pleasure via this ancient art form. At one point, I was spending 20 hours a week at the studio. I was OBSESSED.
Actually a big reason why I decided to return to a full-time job at a startup was to create more time, space, and financial resources to be able to spend more time at the studio, let alone affording the beautiful 한복 (hanbok, Korean traditional costume), accessories, and all the things…it’s kind of an expensive hobby.
Dance and my childhood
While it may seem like my devotion to this craft came out of nowhere, one of my earliest childhood memories of joy was dance. Specifically, ballet.
Quitting ballet is one of the few “regrets” I can think of from my childhood.
(I don’t actually feel the need to go back and change the course of my life given that I am pretty damn grateful for the version of myself I am today…BUT I do sometimes wonder what kind of life I’d be living if I hadn’t quit dance. In terms of my reason for quitting ballet, that’s a story for another day.)
Anyway, this is all to say that my inner child feels very nurtured and seen when I dance and perform traditional Korean dance.
On the other end of the spectrum, my inner ancestor also feels very in her element and alive when I dance traditional Korean dance. It’s like my body remembers somehow…ancestral remembrance. Somatic remembrance.
Traditional Korean dance has felt like a joyful celebration of my somatic healing journey so far—not in terms of how I show up as a coach, facilitator, or speaker, but as myself as a human, enjoying my delicious connection to my body, to my ancestors, ancestral sound, movement, my breath, my creativity, and pleasure. It’s truly made me feel alive.
What’s also so beautiful about this dance is that my teacher says traditional Korean dancers peak in their 60s. Unlike ballet or sports where our physical bodies peak in performance in our 20s or 30s, traditional Korean dance movements are not so rigorous on the body.
My teacher insists that through decades of practice and decades of going through life, traditional Korean dancers in their 50s and 60s are able to express a deeper level of emotional and spiritual nuance through their performance.
I love this perspective because it makes me feel young and not too late to pursue something that I love—that feeling of being too late always came up for me when I thought of reintroducing dance into my life.
Reclaiming myself as an artist
I’ve recently been on a hiatus with traditional Korean dance, as it’s been difficult with my growing pregnant body to drive for long distances (I drive 1.5 hours one-way to go to the dance studio), and I’m being careful not to overstretch my ligaments.
But what I’ve found is that I am channeling the creative life force energy that was revived by traditional Korean dance into other areas of my life:
The joy, presence, and wonder that I’ve been experiencing throughout this pregnancy journey
The powerful creatorship energy I feel everyday in growing this baby
The trust, surrender, and confidence I feel in my body as I prepare for birth
The silly, loving energy with which I’m able to show up in my conversations with friends
The creative flow I feel in writing to you via this newsletter and re-envisioning my business
In reclaiming my creative power as an artist, I’ve rebirthed as:
A mother—a creator of life
An entrepreneur—a creator of a business
A friend and a lover—a creator of meaningful relationships
A dancer—a creator of performance art
A coach—a healing artist and guide for others on their own rebirth journey
My journey of reclaiming myself as an artist has not been linear.
Rather, it’s felt like a spiral loop—a continuous cycle of birth, death, rebirth.
A transformation from caterpillar, chrysalis, goo, to butterfly and back again. 🐛 🦋
Unlocking my creativity and feeling alive…then burning out trying to monetize it.
Opening my heart and connecting with my spirituality…then getting hurt. Then trying again.
Corporate work life draining me and losing my sense of Why…and then recovering my purpose, rediscovering my creative power.
It’s felt miraculous and exhausting, and I know the journey continues. Each time, as a different version of myself, learning along the way.
And recently, it’s felt more clear than ever that it ✨lights me up✨ to support others through their journeys of transformation.
If you’re in the midst of a rebirth and want to feel more grounded and supported in your process of reconnecting with your voice, your Why, your creative power…I’d love to offer my support.
👉🏼 That’s the work we do in 1:1 Somatic Business Coaching. I help daughters of immigrants and eldest daughters cultivate their inner sense of safety, security, and stability.
So they can bet on themselves confidently and build the business they were meant to build, from beyond survival mode.
So they don't rely on external circumstances to feel rooted in their self-trust.
Because if you don’t have your own back, and you’re constantly doubting and fighting yourself, it’ll feel like pushing a boulder uphill.
I combine business strategy with nervous system support so you can bring your vision to life boldly and peacefully—without overthinking, overworking, or burning out.
If you’re ready to grow a thriving, peaceful, profitable business that actually feels good in your body…
➡️ Book Your Free 1:1 Clarity Call Session Today.
The call alone has helped many clients unlock breakthroughs, feel lighter, and move forward with confidence.
I am now booking my final 1:1 spots for a November or January start.
(In December, I won't be starting any new clients as I'll be away in Egypt 👀).
So if you've been thinking about working with me, let's connect now and figure out what the best next step looks like for you.
Rooting for you,
Eunice
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Hi 👋🏼 I'm Eunice (she/her).
I’m a Somatic Business Coach for visionary daughters of immigrants, entrepreneurs, and creatives. I help you embody your brilliance, shine unapologetically, and create a thriving business and life you love, without burning out. ❤️🔥
Learn more about me & my 1:1 coaching.
Curious about what it could look like for you? ➡️ Book a Free 1:1 Clarity Call.
