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The Shamanic Cheerleaders |
Amity, Rana, and Wendy at the How Weird Street Faire in San Francico
(c) Marty Luster
by Christophia Somerfeldt
As part Priestesses, part pep-squad, part hip-hop video dancers. They chant, cheer and dance in cool outfits, leaving audiences from the Burning Man stage to the Power to the Peaceful afterparty with Micheal Franti, Spearhead and the Heavyweight Dub Champions "enthralled, exhilarated and yelling for more." They strut their stuff not for just one team, but for all of us; they shout and shimmy not to egg-on competitors, but to raise positive energy, encourage lightheartedness, and share spiritual wisdom in pom-pom size doses. The Shamanic Cheerleaders are currently five women who all work in the healing professions, sometimes joined by one or two men: "an amazing blend of ancient and modern influences performed with grace, precision and power," says musician Mika Scott. From contagious chants like "If you want to be enlightened then you've got to lighten up!" to a rhythmic blur of blessings in 17 languages, the Shamanic Cheerleaders draw from diverse spiritual traditions with the irreverence of the entertainer and the pizazz of the modern cheerleader. We don't claim to be shamans in the traditional sense," says founder and squad leader Rana 'Satori' Stewart, "but we are earth and spirit based, we catalyze and focus group attention. We embody the jester archetype, who imparts important messages... in a comedic way." Stewart, whose squad name is 'Epiffany,' created the 'Shamanic Cheerleader' character to express an aspect of her- self. The response was so positive, she formed a whole squad. Experiencing the Shamanic Cheerleaders, women are often fired up with inspiration and a sense of their own power, and men seem to equally appreciate their strong feminine energy. "Serious, silly, sensuous and sacred, they make you want to dive across the goal line for God!" says Sean Ahearn of Harmony Festival Elevation Media. They hope to bring their special talents to more main- stream conferences, groups and events, and even better, plan to start giving Shamanic Cheerleader workshops! For a Shamanic Cheerleader, having fun is simply Divine!
Contact: shamaniccheerleaders.com
Rana Stewart, redgingersnap@gmail.com
As part Priestesses, part pep-squad, part hip-hop video dancers. They chant, cheer and dance in cool outfits, leaving audiences from the Burning Man stage to the Power to the Peaceful afterparty with Micheal Franti, Spearhead and the Heavyweight Dub Champions "enthralled, exhilarated and yelling for more." They strut their stuff not for just one team, but for all of us; they shout and shimmy not to egg-on competitors, but to raise positive energy, encourage lightheartedness, and share spiritual wisdom in pom-pom size doses. The Shamanic Cheerleaders are currently five women who all work in the healing professions, sometimes joined by one or two men: "an amazing blend of ancient and modern influences performed with grace, precision and power," says musician Mika Scott. From contagious chants like "If you want to be enlightened then you've got to lighten up!" to a rhythmic blur of blessings in 17 languages, the Shamanic Cheerleaders draw from diverse spiritual traditions with the irreverence of the entertainer and the pizazz of the modern cheerleader. We don't claim to be shamans in the traditional sense," says founder and squad leader Rana 'Satori' Stewart, "but we are earth and spirit based, we catalyze and focus group attention. We embody the jester archetype, who imparts important messages... in a comedic way." Stewart, whose squad name is 'Epiffany,' created the 'Shamanic Cheerleader' character to express an aspect of her- self. The response was so positive, she formed a whole squad. Experiencing the Shamanic Cheerleaders, women are often fired up with inspiration and a sense of their own power, and men seem to equally appreciate their strong feminine energy. "Serious, silly, sensuous and sacred, they make you want to dive across the goal line for God!" says Sean Ahearn of Harmony Festival Elevation Media. They hope to bring their special talents to more main- stream conferences, groups and events, and even better, plan to start giving Shamanic Cheerleader workshops! For a Shamanic Cheerleader, having fun is simply Divine!
Contact: shamaniccheerleaders.com
Rana Stewart, redgingersnap@gmail.com
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