THE STORY BEHIND DANCE4HEALTH

For some time now this dance4health has been trending on social media, mother and daughter dance, but no one actually knows the secret behind this dance. but we have been able to dig to the root. below you will hear from the right source the secret behind the dance4health by Ijeoma. Who is Ijeoma? A Wife, Mum of 4, Music Minister/Lead Worshipper/Author/Life Coach/Mentor/Founder, Angels’ Cry Youth Project/Dance4Health Advocate/Customer Service Champion. Singer and actress Amazin’ Ijeoma was born in Enugu State, Nigeria. She is the 8th of 11children born to HRH Igwe JA Ogbodo and Rose Ifeoma Ogbodo, a retired School board supervisor.

Amazin’ Ijeoma is a UK based recording artist and Gospel Music Minister. She started singing at an early age, competing in local talent shows and winning many of these events by impressing audiences with her natural acting, singing and dancing abilities.

Even as a child, Amazin was able to wow audiences whenever she sang, danced and acted; she said that the rapturous responses from the audience and congregation have positively affected her. She knew from there that her singing, dancing and acting abilities was an infectious thing that God gave to her.

She married Architect, Paul Nweze in 2002. They have 4 children.

On the musical front, Amazin’ took centre stage as a solo artist, releasing her first album, Angels’ Cry and single BeyondBounds on the 29th of May 2010. The recording became a huge success for her, both commercially and critically. Amazin is much-admired for her unique style of African praise and prophetic worship, contemporary and gospel reggae genre. She has been in the music ministry since the age of 10.

In 2011, Amazin releases her 2nd album Mama and in 2012 released her 3rd album Writer’s Hand. Till date, she has released so many singles
While enjoying her success in the music industry, Amazin’ explored other projects. She made her acting debut in 2013 with a lead role in a Nollywood Christian Movie: Purity of Heart.

In 2016 Amazin’ Ijeoma released her double Albums, Count Your Blessings and Fruitfulness.

Amazin is a coach & Mentor for young people. She works in a London based Housing Association.
Amazin is the co-director and operations manager at AmazePaul Music/video production Company. Founder, #Danceforhealth- African Approach to Fitness.

She is a music minister and Author. Her first book and best selling, “The Maze”, a Self Re-Discovery Guide was released on the 18.12.17.

Amazin is Housing professional, powerful songwriter, a great performing artist, a poet, dancer/actress, a Christian counsellor, young people’s mentor, a Makeup Artist, and a recording artist of all styles of contemporary, reggae and traditional music.

Amazin’ is the founder of The Angels’ cry Youth project. She provides one to one counselling, mentorship and coaching session for young people.

Angels’ Cry project aims to let our community see the value of young people by providing them with the tools and skills to demonstrate that they are a vital asset to their generation and to eradicate the false portrayal by the media that most young people are bad.

Amazin’ Discoveries is one Amazin’s way of discovering hidden talents, especially in young people.
Through the eyes of the young reality show; a talk show carved out to provide skills for the youths. It is also an avenue where young and an upcoming artist is introduced at no cost.

Amazin is a qualified Housing professional, a Christian counsellor, young people’s mentor/coach, makeup artist, prolific songwriter and the list continues. She is also a great performing artist, a poet, a dancer/actress, a vocal coach, a recording artist in all genres (contemporary, reggae, Afro-pop and traditional).

What is THE STORY BEHIND DANCE4HEALTH

It’s your girl Amazin’….but, feel free to call me IJE.
This is Dance4Health, The Africa Approach To Fitness.

The story behind ‘Dance4Health’.
Literally, I danced to heal. What do I mean?
I began Dance4Health at a time when I weighed, 110 kg and have joyfully progressed to 88 kg, exceeding my initial target and still going.
Sometime in 2013, I had some mind threatening experience, too painful to comprehend. I was accused, abused, mocked, misunderstood, rejected, spat on, lost friends and the job. It was like Armageddon for me. I saw no way out of that situation.
One afternoon, I sat hopelessly on the couch, reliving and nursing the memories of my pain in tears when I stumbled onto some traditional Ogene music. Our Enugu cultural music which my dad used to play when I was a little girl. That tune took me back home to my parents and I felt that little girl emerging from obscurity. I remembered dancing to this kind of music as a young girl and of course, I was a great dancer.
So, I picked up my heavy self as I hummed along my favourite Ubo Amodu tune. I moved gently, alongside the serene Oja, ùdù & Ogene beats and started exercising and dancing with joy to the music, as I felt the drifting away of those thoughts. I was so lost in my world that I did not respond to my daughter when she returned from school.
So, she decided not to disturb me but picked up my phone to record my dancing as a proof that she came back from school early. When I eventually came around, she showed me the recorded video clip.
“Mummy, she said, I recorded you while you danced. I thought I should, Cos’ I’ve never seen you dance that way. See”. As she handed the phone to me.
“So sorry baby, I saw you come in but couldn’t respond to you” I said.
“It’s ok mama, I understand” she responded.
“Oh wow”. I exclaimed.

I wept as I watched the clip. I liked the dance video, so, I shared it on my Facebook network.
To my dismay, the reactions I received were so shocking. I wasn’t prepared at all. Close friends wondered, some felt something had gone wrong somewhere, whilst others rebuked and warned me not to dance to traditional music because I was a music minister. Surprisingly, even within our gospel circle, words trickled in and out. It became apparent that the beauty and sound of our traditional musical instruments have been attributed to voodoo, fetish priests, evil tradition and masquerades but I vehemently refuted their philosophies and stood by my healing process.
However, few days later, my phone was clogged with messages from my friends asking if I was the one dancing. Alas! The video had gone viral. I received thousands of messages requesting more videos and traditional songs. Even, a fellow Music Minister sent a very encouraging message and suggested a name for the movement. Many others requested dance classes to be set up for both adults and children to exercise whilst sustaining our Igbo cultural dance.
But in all of these, no one understands the story behind the routines, but I kept rolling out more videos as my healing progresses.

One thing about nature is this, it does not allow vacuum to linger. Something else covers up, good or bad;
To avoid resentment, bitterness, hate, revenge, and evil taking over my mind, I danced.
When I felt pain and dark clouds of uncertainty, hovering around me, I danced.
When my mind resumes rehearsing my painful experiences, I danced.
When I felt lonely and alone, I danced.
To ensure I do not cross over the thoughts of my prevailing circumstance, I danced.
When I remembered the pain of lost relationships, I danced.
The dance routines helped me as I encouraged others with my new-found health improvement approach. I must say, my healing process was speedy.
It wasn’t long before other African artists began rolling out great tunes produced with our forgotten traditional instruments and beats. Videos were sent to me, showing the gathering of young men and women at the great Okpara square in Enugu with traditional the dance group playing as they ran around the stadium, numerous times.
What felt like a breakdown, began a great revolution in dance-exercise history. The pain of one person began a great thing.
Many times in the past, I paid huge amounts of money towards gym memberships but never got around attending. Whenever I did attend, I did so grudgingly and would come home without losing a drop of sweat.
Insane …! Why do something you don’t enjoy?
Exercising is a game involving all senses. You feel every bit of your movements. Why not flow gracefully whilst doing so. Everyone loved my routines and requested this to be made available in video formats. So, here you go.
With all that, Dance4Health was born..
Dance4Health is a great commission, given by God to make a difference. It is a place of truth, where worried are subdued and souls calmed, roaring waters, turbulence and storms are stilled.
Dance4Health is here to bring healing – You are made whole as you dance.
This is not a showcase of dance routines but a commission and a movement that brings health in it are entity through spiritually filled music. It also aids total healing to the oppressed, depressed, suppressed, scared, anxious, let down, stepped on, disturbed, people who can’t see their way out, hear voices but can’t behold faces, fear the light and can’t step out of the door.
Dance4health was born, to help people face their fears head-on, by God. To step into the light because God is light, and His light is the light of men and shine in darkness and darkness cannot comprehend it.

I have introduced my daughter to our traditional kind of dance and taught her how to dance too. This also has encouraged an awesome mother & daughter bonding between us, has aided the transference and understanding of our Igbo culture and she has been amazing.
My Dance routines are here to stay and will compel you to joyfully keep fit. Totally different from every other fitness videos you’ve seen. See yourself dancing your way to good health, mind, body and soul.
We intend to produce more spiritual songs that will transmit healing via its waves to the listener, dancer and passer-by. Let the hearer and watcher, possess the grace to prophesy healing over themselves, body, soul and spirit. To turn their fears, pain, obscurity into steps of testimonies�
A free soul is a free spirit – totally free �
If you engage in Dance4Health, you are guaranteed freedom, fun, overflowing joy, great results and of course, sweating.
Another great aspect of my Dance4Health is that you can do it within the confines of your home and comfort of your pyjamas. Yes … you don’t have to wear your trainers or tracksuits to Dance4Health. All you need to do is, follow my initial dance routine which is quite simple and basic and then feels free to add your steps as we go on. Just ensure you are comfortable.

It’s about your health, so, all that is required is you. And be sure to be ok in whatever you will wear. And don’t forget your smile too
Come in, let’s Dance4Health in style.
Please see videos for some easy routines for you to rock. Trust me, you’ll love it.

Thank me later.

Lord, I am Your vessel.
Make me an instrument of peace
Where there is the pain, let joy flood in through me
Where there is blindness, I’ll be the sight
Where there are wounds, use me to bring healing
Where there is darkness, let your light shine through me
Yes, Lord, I am Your vessel.

I appreciate Fauntee for proofreading… she’s Amazing