7TH GEN WELLNESS
“MOVEMENT IS MEDICINE”
Our Co-Founder and Creative Director, Jess is Lakota Sioux and wanted to shed light on other indigenous voices. From this, stemmed Jess’ first passion project. Her goal is to highlight Acosia Red Elk’s story with the purpose to inspire others with it.
For Women's Appreciation Month, we had the honor of filming an amazing woman (@acosia_) who is a Native American Jingle Dancer and Yoga Instructor. Despite being burned in a fire as a child and losing her father at a young age, she has overcome incredible obstacles to pursue her passion for dance and wellness.
Her strength and resilience are truly inspiring, and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to capture her talent on film. She is a role model for all women, and a true testament to the power of determination and perseverance.
Acosia is from the Umatilla Tribe in the Plateau Region of Oregon. She caught on fire as a child and half of her body was burned. Also, her dad was a Resident School survivor. As a result, Acosia lost him to substance abuse on her 9th Birthday. After undergoing these childhood traumas, she descended into a downward spiral. Acosia started on her healing journey when she picked up Jingle Dancing. She is a 10x World Champion Jingle Dancer. Acosia dances with @indigenousenterprise - a well-acclaimed Native-owned dance troupe that performed at the Super Bowl. When she discovered yoga, that practice brought further healing into her life. She is a yoga instructor @7genwellness_ spreading the message that “movement is medicine.”
“THROUGH THE POWER OF THOUGHT, AND THE COLLABORATION OF MOVEMENT FROM BODY TO BREATHE, YOGA & DANCING HAS GIVEN ME PRIDE, IDENTITY & A SOLID FOUNDATION.”
“MY NAME IS ACOSIA RED ELK AND I COME FROM THE UMATILLA TRIBE. ”
“I AM A YOGA INSTRUCTOR, A WELLNESS ADVOCATE, JINGLE DANCER, MOTHER, & ADVENTURER”
“AFTER EXPERIENCING SO MUCH CHILDHOOD TRAUMA, I WENT INTO A DOWNWARD SPIRAL.”
“I CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN I WAS 6 YEARS OLD AND BURNED HALF MY BODY. IT LEFT ME WITH EXTREME INSECURITIES.”
“MY FATHER WAS A RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SURVIVOR AND SUFFERED FROM ALCOHOL ADDICTION. AS A RESULT HE PASSED AWAY ON MY 9TH BIRTHDAY.”
“AT THAT TIME I WAS EXPERIENCING A LOT OF DYSFUNCTION, ABUSE, ADDICTION, & INSECURITIES FROM THE FIRE.”
“WHEN I FOUND YOGA, IT CHANGED MY LIFE.”
“I REALIZED THAT IT WAS A POWERFUL TOOL FOR HEALING OUR TRAUMA’S...”
“I GAINED A SENSE OF IDENTITY. I LEARNED TO APPRECIATE WHO I AM AND WHERE I COME FROM... ”
“IT CONNECTS ME TO THE EARTH AND MY WHOLE CELLULE NETWORK OF ENERGY”
“YOGA MAKES ME HAPPY. IT IS MEDITATION IN MOTION”
“IT’S A WAY TO STAY CONNECTED TO THE PAST, WHILE MOVING FORWARD IN THE PRESENT.”
“I GOT CERTIFIED TO TEACH YOGA, BECAUSE I REALLY WANTED TO SHOW PEOPLE WHAT HAD HELPED ME.”
“YOGA AND DANCING BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER. TO FORM CONNECTIONS AND STRONGER COMMUNITY”
“WE CAN HEAL OURSELVES AT THE CELLULAR LEVEL HOLISTICALLY THROUGH MOVEMENT, FLEXIBILITY, & BREATHWORK. ”
“THIS IS WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO SHARE OUR STORY. OF WHY I SHARE MY STORY: TO BUILD A BRIDGE OF UNITY AND OFFER HOPE & INSPIRATION THROUGH MOVEMENT AS A FORM OF MEDICINE.””
Acosia's story is a testimony of the healing power yoga can provide, and how it can transform our lives. We are inspired by her courage and resilience, and we hope her story will inspire you too. To us, the message and purpose of a video are equally important as the visuals. This creative piece has been a reminder of how fulfilling it can be to pursue passion projects like this. Be sure to follow @acosia_ @indigenousenterprise and @7genwellness_ for more inspiration.
Creative Director / Producer: @jessi.rae.jones
DP / Gaffer: @racejones
1st AC: @rkkino_rev
BTS / PA: @alexsweeet
Lead Editor: @jessi.rae.jones
Assistant Editor / Sound Design: @racejones