Meet Hannah Seiden

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hannah Seiden. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hannah , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

In the past year, I’ve embodied the purpose I have been cultivating unconsciously forever: connection. Connecting with people whether I’ve known them my whole life, or strangers at the coffee shop. While growing up dancing, I knew I had an impact on others. I was able to help them connect to the story, empathize with the journey, and look into themselves for self-reflection. I remember being 18 and realizing for the first time that I could help people heal. To have that power is the utmost honor. I believe that my greatest purpose is urging people to be vulnerable, break generational patterns, tap into authenticity, and heal from mental and physical pain. And along their way, I am holding their hand doing the exact same.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a mover down to every cell in my body. With a history of traumatic events and chaotic environments, moving my body has always allowed me to escape my mind. With that, I truly transform when I dance. My most authentic self comes out, wild and free. The people in the room with me can use me and my movement as an escape from reality. Getting off the stage and hearing how I may have touched someone’s heart is the most special gift. I always say that my work is for collective healing. Dance HEALS!!! We all deserve to feel that power in our bodies and minds, and I like to take people on that ride with me. I was quite literally born to dance.

In addition to identifying as a dancer and movement artist, I also have a passion for Pilates and Pain Coaching. With a history of chronic pain myself, I’ve learned how my body can tell me when habits of mine may not be serving me; i.e. perfectionism, people pleasing, self degradation. When I have a client, I love to help them realize just how strong they are, and how they are deserving of their own love. Helping people get out of pain is one of the most authentic relationship with a human, and one I feed off of!

I recently joined the Bill T. Jones Arnie Zane Company, which is an actual dream come true. I never thought I would be in these shoes, and I feel so grateful for the opportunity to be in such esteemed company doing important and thought provoking work.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three things most impactful in my journey thus far:

1. To love and be loved. I would be nowhere without my family, friends, mentors and teachers who believed in me enough to push me to grow and evolve. Love is an equal exchange, and it was always important to me to show love and respect to others. You cannot be excellent at your craft if you are not a good human with abundant emotions. You just can’t.
2. Never give up. I am 200000% serious! As an artist, you will hear more no than yes. Keep your chin up, work your patooty off, keep a good head on your shoulders, be kind, be humble. Every cut at an audition opens up a new opportunity. You cannot take it personally, you cannot NOT believe in yourself. Keep going!
3. Be a human. I identified as a dancer and only a dancer for 15 years. I did not care for anything outside of it, I did not spend time on other interests or people. I did not know who Hannah was besides being a dancer. My advice? Hang out with your family, spend time in nature, go to your prom! Go to a museum, pick up another hobby, get involved in politics and things you believe in. At the end of the day, the more authentic to yourself you are and the more you know about your morals and ethics and beliefs, the more virtuosic artist you will be.

Look up to your elders and find ways to integrate mindfulness. And most important, remember to play!

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

This is gonna be more geared to my femme folks, but the book “Women Who Run With the Wolves” changed my LIFE! I read it in my early 20s, which some of you may know can be a tornado. The author, Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés compares women with wolves and all the themes that come with that such as wildness, commitment, pack mentality, leadership, grace, and so forth. For me, growing up in a patriarchal society shaped me to think I had to behave and put others first. To be quiet and agreeable and polite. The book allowed me to unleash the wild and feral in me and be confident and proud as a woman. To put myself first and learn what I need before being there for others, which ultimately benefits them more. I embraced being more intuitive with myself and my needs as opposed to what others thought I should be. Dr. Estés says, “The General Wolf Rules for Life: 1. Eat 2. Rest 3. Rove in between 4. Render loyalty 5. Love the Children 6. Cavil in moonlight 7. Tune your ears 8. Attend to the bones 9. Make love 10. Howl often.” These rules can be applied as a woman, person, artist, dancer, human. And it allowed my body to unlock in ways that elevated my artistry.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @hbseiden

Image Credits

Joe Dean
Umi Akiyoshi
Darcy Rogers
Marissa Wiley
Jared Frazer
Maria Baranova