Aiyana Sol Machado (Dance 2000) Speaks to Students During Common Experience

Aiyana Sol Machado (Dance 2000) [right] with Mary Harding, Dance Instructor [left]

Perpich alum, Aiyana Sol Machado (Dance 2000), spoke with students during Common Ex on Monday, December 5th. Common Ex is a series of presentations where students hear about the artistic life from practicing artists, many of whom are Perpich graduates.

Aiyana led the group of gathered students and staff members through a series of self regulation strategies and resiliency building tools. The exercises centered around the four elements: Earth, Air, Water, and Fire; thymus tapping to boost the immune system; and bilateral stimulation movements which have numerous benefits. Through her organization, Kumbé Healing & Wellness, Aiyana helps to decolonize bodies and minds for youth, community groups, corporations, and many more. Kumbé is an acronym for Knowledge, Understanding, Movement, Breath, and Equanimity.

Aiyana Sol Machado​ is a multi-talented, multi-cultural visionary dedicated to the liberation & healing of people & communities for over 20 years. She is an organizer, artist, scholar-activist, researcher, mother, partner, sister, daughter, community member, birthworker, and lover of life! Aiyana Sol began as an inner city dance instructor in the East Coast and the Twin Cities, modeling and encouraging the use of the arts for liberation and activism. She studied Social Science at Metropolitan State University while also grant writing, directing, and assessing youth programs. Aiyana Sol inspires integrity in diversity and positive educational outcomes through evidence based approaches in youth, human, and program development. As a Boricua of Caribbean diaspora heritage and trained dancer/choreographer, Aiyana Sol explores the organic historical convergence of the Indigenous Taino, African, and Spanish of Boriken (Puerto Rico). She is the Co-founder of Kumbé Healing & Wellness, a national consultant for E3: Education, Excellence & Equity, and collective artist member of Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center. She is Board Chair of Philadelphia Community Farm, a rural-based intentional community and farm located in Osceola, Wisconsin, on occupied land of Dakota and Ho-chunk Nations, along the St. Croix River Valley.