Shannon Alana Graf
Contemporary Dance Artist, Choreographer
Sensual Somatic Dance & Movement Teacher
Feminine Embodiment Leader
Founder & Director of the FEMININE MOVEMENT CIRCLE
Owner of ELFENBEIN POLE DANCE in Vienna, Austria
Artistic Director of Tanzkompanie Transformance / TANZ IN DER NATUR
Associate Coordinator of KUNST IN DER NATUR - International Art Symposium in Lower Austria
Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Dance & Dance Pedagogy, Berlin
Sheila Kelley’s S Factor® Teacher Training, Los Angeles
Polebatics® Pole Dance Teacher Training, Hamburg
15 Years Yoga Practice
Mother of 3, wife, lover, sister, daughter, friend
More about me…
I began dancing at an early age and followed my heart’s desire to fully devote myself as a young adult to my art. I’ve been very lucky to have physically experienced systems of movement refinement (years of classical ballet, jazz and modern dance, singing), spontaneity (improvisation, acting, voice) and somatic movement (Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Spiraldynamic) throughout my artistic career.
Dance was always my means of expression, where words did not need to exist. When I dance I tap into the universal truth. I fully connect to the divine feminine energy within me. I pray, give thanks and surrender completely to the flow that comes and yes, very often it looks and feels quite sensual. That is what my body desires.
After several years of performing in projects in the contemporary dance scene, I formed a company called TANZ IN DER NATUR (Dance in Nature) with my dear sister, Minou. Dance theatre in and reacting to its’ natural environment became the base of our work together.
I feel the most at ease in nature and that is where I hope to meet you most often. And if we meet in a studio or online we take all of that energy with us into class, wherever we are.
How I came to teach Feminine Movement
About ten years ago I saw this YouTube video of pole dancing and I was so captivated by it. Not only did it embody a beautiful technique, but there was this element of feminine sensuality that was so intriguing to me. I knew so many forms of dance, but nothing as unapologetically sensual like what I saw in some of those videos. And I found it totally empowering to explore this side of myself more, in my own Journey at home with a pole, a mat and some music.
I soon took on the idea of opening my own pole dance studio. I did a Teacher’s Training and opened one of Austria’s first and finest studios - elfenbein pole dance in 2011.
Pole Dance boomed and although there was an initial wave of sensuality somewhere in the equation, most women wanted to learn a technique full of impressive tricks and acrobatic skills. So that is what we gave them. The business continued to grow, and I created a full team to accommodate the needs of our clients.
After several years of teaching this way, I realised that I really wanted women to feel good in their bodies, not imitate a technique. Pole dance had become a mainstream sport, somehow even masculinised. Although it was boosting our client’s confidence, it wasn’t awakening their true sensual expression. It just wasn’t quite what I personally wanted to offer my students anymore.
I continued learning. I went to one of the pioneers of pole dance and feminine movement in the USA, Sheila Kelley. I completed the S Factor Teacher Training in Los Angeles in 2015, while 5 months pregnant. Here I was introduced to a community of women, exploring their erotic bodies using pole dance and feminine movement as a base. This was beautiful to witness and gave me hope for my future work path. I was reminded that it was possible to ease women into their sensuality and how rewarding it is for them.
Since then I have adapted my 20-year experience teaching movement and dance to accommodate the aspect of the erotic body as a healthy and necessary form of expression. Women need an outlet for their sexuality, desires and sexual herstory in relation to bodywork. Through feminine movement we can release pain, trauma and negative experiences to find our true desire and help that to shine through. I’ve been so fortunate to witness this profound effect in my students over the years.
Because of my deep connection to nature, my work is greatly influenced by the seasons, moon phases and cycles. The ability to connect to the Divine Feminine is strongest when we are fully submerged in the elements.
The quality of bringing women together in a supportive and non-judgemental circle space is especially near and dear to my heart. In that space, the Feminine can thrive and freely share of herself. That is what the world needs so much more of and that is what I am here for. ❍
