If you have found your way here you may wonder, who is this Cynthia Winton-Henry?
I am a sensitive, an artist, theologian, writer, and spiritual guide. In 1989 I co-founded InterPlay with Phil Porter. InterPlay is, an improvisational community-building practice designed to unlock the wisdom of the body. InterPlay fundamentals reinitiate us in our birthrights of movement, voice, story, and stillness. People regain artistry. I’ve curated InterPlay worldwide performances like the Unbelievable Beauty of Being Human.
As a white woman, my offerings address harms done in the name of whiteness. I partner with Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and marginalized guides.
To contact me Email cynthia@interplay.org
Aligning body, soul, and dance has been my path even when I hit economic and cultural walls.
At UCLA I received a President’s Fellowship to study dance and culture in Sierra Leone. After completing the M.Div at Pacific School of Religion I did doctoral work in Theology and the Arts at the Graduate Theological Union and studied Multicultural Education at the Western Institute for Social Research. Professionally, I’ve pastored a church, choreographed, and performed with Body and Soul Dance Company, codirected Wing It! Performance Ensemble, and taught students at Holy Names University’s Sophia Center, Pacific School of Religion, Spiritual Directors International, Spiritual Directors of Color, University of Creation Spirituality, The National Chaplains Association, International Expressive Arts Association, Out and Equal Workplace Advocates, United Religions Initiative, and the Parliament of World Religions. I’m certified in massage therapy, offering the Focused Energy Balance Indicator instrument for thefour-movement patterns, and in Enneamotion, a Somatic Approach to the Enneagram with Andrea Issacs.
I make shrines. Here’s a peak.
My books include Chasing the Dance of Life: A Faith Journey by Apocryphile Press, Dance: The Sacred Art: Discovering the Joy of Movement by Turner Publishing, and Move: What the Body Wants by Woodlake Press. Grace Operatives: How Body Wisdom Saved the World in Phenomenologies of Grace edited by Marcus Bussey by Paraclete Press. I self- publish The Self-Care Playbook for the Art of Ensoulment that accompanies the year-long course.
Activism: InterPlay and the Ensoulment Arts are countercultural, earth-wise practices. As an executive director of InterPlay, commited to racial equity and transformation, I served on the YES board in support of young activists, and, catalyzed a somatic version of Waking Up White and workshopped people in Changing the Race Dance with Soyinka Rahim, creating space to tell stories of our understandings and misunderstandings of socialized systemic racism. I developed the InterPlay Art Responder Practice with Catherine Jolly to realign to the beauty of a place and people after trauma.
My deepest bows go to The Tree of Life, the living wisdom of first peoples, my ancestors, the Archangel Metatron, and Jesus. My guidance includes Ruth St, Denis, Thomas Merton, Doug Adams, Phyllis Magal, Katrina Browne, Sheila Collins, Carla de Sola, Barbara Elliot, Jake Empereur, Ruth King, Robert MacAfee Brown, Connors McConville, Roberta Meyer, Soyinka Rahim, Judith Rock, Ginny Whitelaw, Flora Wuellner. and teachers at Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley Psychic Institute, friends of Lois and creators of the 12 steps, Operation Crossroads Africa, and to more friends than I can name.
Praise-
–Rev. Melinda McLain, pastor “Cynthia is a treasured mentor, teacher, and colleague in the art of deep and playful living. She instills trust among diverse peoples and leads groups with tremendous skill. Cynthia is a visionary and an exceptional entrepreneur. Any project or activity that she undertakes will be improved exponentially by her leadership or participation because she has the rare skill to be as great a follower and team member as she is a leader.”
-Rich Citrin, business and health consultant, “Cynthia is the consummate artist, facilitator, body wisdom expert and mystic. As the founder of InterPlay, she has created a new way of being in the world and her influence has spanned the globe and has helped change villages in Africa, artists in Australia and children lives in India. Cynthia brings deep spiritual connection to a practical level for women and men of all ages. She has a special connection to a source that is beyond our usual day to day thinking. She has been a most vital agent in my life and I invite you to allow her into yours. You will be very happy you did!”
–Rev Susanna Pain, priest “What a gift, the spaciousness and creativity and generous listening you offer. Thank you.”
–Lila Mauricia Morisee, expressive arts guide, “It’s difficult to put words to the mystery, depth, and ease that Cynthia’s sessions and written materials provide. I’ve reached a place of contentment, delight and humor that has led me open ever more deeply to it all–the mess of life w/ less drama, more “chop wood, carry water” kind of peace. Thank you, Cynthia –it’s been an immense gift and pleasure.”
–Terrence Keane, Marketing Director, Berkeley Repertory Theater,”Her keynote set the tone perfectly for the weekend. The ideas she introduced wove through our entire event, and I know that many of our participants — myself included — would like to come take a class.“
“Cynthia offered a transformational experience that exceeded my expectations and they were already high!” Retreat Participant
Schedule an appt here.
Will be moving to San Diego CA sometime before winter, or thats the plan anyway. I look forward to being on the same coast as you !!! Dina
Dear Dina, sending love. I welcome you to try the Online Dance Chapel. Even if the phone is all you can do.
Hi there,
My name is Vicky and I am currently editing an upcoming memoir about arthritis set in New Zealand, titled The Walking Stick Tree, due for publication in mid-October. The memoir includes lyrics from a song written called ‘The Soul Loves the Body’. I was hoping you could help me obtain copyright or point me in the right direction to use these lyrics.
The lyrics used are:
The soul loves
the body,
they are one,
they are one.
The soul loves
the body,
my body my soul
my love.
Cheers,
Vicky.
Hi Vicky. Thank you for sharing and including the lyrics of the Soul Loves the Body. Those are the words of Meister Eckhardt. The lyrics of mine and I am happy to have you share them. Trisha Watts wrote music for this chant on her CD, Deep Waters.
Thank you for your giving us permission for these lyrics Cynthia. It means a lot to us and the author. All the best.
Did you ever get the help you need with this?