Meet Megan Smith | Dancer, Artist and Yoga Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Megan Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Megan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Throughout life I have always strayed from pre-paved paths to pave my own. Thus, my vision behind starting Astral Rose Dance, Art, and Movement is to create spaces with the vibe and training that I carry. I’ve had the immense privilege to train and study with yoga masters, incredible dancers, and intellectuals around the world, which has guided me to my own craft of offerings. I wanted to build spaces based on my values and preferences surrounding dance, art, music, and energy, so I am doing just that!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My name is Megan, I am 33 years old and I grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado. I am a dancer, artist, academic, yogini and yoga teacher. Art, dance and yoga have always been a place of refuge for me through connection to Spirit. For a long time I did not consider myself an artist because my practices were primarily for personal healing, expression, and enjoyment. When I turned 25, I decided to quit drinking, which opened up my world to the possibility of success. I was committed to my yoga practice and 300 hour teacher training at the time, which propelled me even deeper into my creativity. The first seeds of my vision to foster spaces for healing, joy, creativity and expression were planted. My academic studies were also a driving influence. I built an individualized degree at MSU Denver called Somatic & Cultural studies to study human diversity. The degree is a combination of anthropology, sociology, psychology, gender/women’s studies, and dance. I took a semester abroad in Accra, Ghana where I studied dance, sociology, and psychology. My time there was world expanding and I got to learn from some of the top dancers and scholars at the University of Ghana Legon. I developed a socially critical lens of U.S. and global systems that inspired me to pursue my masters in International Education at NYU Steinhardt to further learn about how transparent education can lead to mind-opening cross cultural exchanges. Especially through art and dance!

Today, Astral Rose Dance, Art, & Movement has sprouted from a culmination of my artistic influences, academic studies, and life experiences. My ultimate vision is to inspire others to feel, heal, and open into their creative essence through somatic practices.The academic in me is also inspired to use my art and writing as a vessel to spread awareness around the inequalities and injustices plaguing our society. As a collective, we need arts, humanities, and spaces to articulate and represent our realities. Art is a powerful force to spread awareness and truth. Intentional spaces for contemplative practices, e.g. yoga, dance, meditation, help us heal and process personal and societal traumas into positive energy.

My current offerings include yoga and movement privates, and group classes. Weekly power vinyasa and restorative yoga classes at YogaSix Northfield and Denver Yoga Social. I host monthly yoga, free movement and heels dance classes at The Savoy Denver in their studio rental space. Class begins with grounding breathwork, yoga flow, and free movement exercises. We then learn a heels routine that taps us into soft, Divine feminine, and sensual movement. There are prints of my drawing artwork available on Etsy, https://artbyastralrose.etsy.com, and I co-created a website, astralrosedance.com, with a blog, my monthly offerings, and art work. My biggest goal for the next year is to perform more gogo gigs, host more classes, and post more blogs.

I am still very much in the beginning stages of building my concept, and I have learned that creation is an ever unfolding process. I am constantly learning and experiencing life, which shapes and reshapes my offerings. What I manifest is deeply connected to what I need to express to process my human experiences and then I can hold space for others to do the same. The greatest lesson I have learned on my journey thus far is authenticity. The more authentic I stay to myself and my expressions, the more I find myself with people and places in alignment with my true being. My work is not about being the most popular, it’s about being the most authentic. I want to make an impact for whoever needs to see it, even if it’s just one person! I am mostly just grateful to be where I am today and have the resources to create freely. I hope as Astral Rose Dance, Art and Movement grows, I can facilitate other aspiring creatives to do the same!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Colorado is lush with outdoor natural spaces close and near to Denver. One of my favorite places to venture is the famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison. There are numerous hiking trails in the area with stunning views of the city and Colorado landscape. It’s also an absolute must to see a show there! Truly magical! Staying in Denver, I like visiting the shops, markets, and dance spots in Five Points/Rino Art District. The Central Market has an eclectic range of drinks, foods, and treats. Rino Empire Collective is a unique boutique and Alchemy Ritual Goods has mystical musings. The Meadowlark has Off The Cuff every Wednesday night hosted by Enmanuel Alexander, where talented Denver musicians get down to some improv jams. My favorite park in the city is Cheesman Park. It’s a gorgeous open space of grass and trees, with a pavilion where you can dance or just hang out. Denver also has some great art museums! The MCA Denver, RedLine Contemporary Art Center, and Denver Art Museum all host awesome exhibitions and events throughout the year.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Spirit is always my greatest source of light and refuge. My Mom also deserves immense kudos! She has been the most consistent human in my life and I thank her for her love and support through all of my messiness. I have also been blessed with many mentors and community spaces throughout my life that nurtured me with healing and love. Centennial High School, The River Yoga, Urban Sanctuary, 1000 Voices and the all of the people that make up those spaces who supported me. Big shoutout to those I learned from at the University of Ghana Legon in Accra, Ghana and the depth you took me into dancing and understanding our world.

Website: astralrosedance.com (co-created with Audriana Moon audrianamoon.com)

Image Credits
Amanda Tipton Photography (https://amandatipton.com/)
Studio photos: Yoga Six Northfield and The Savoy Denver