Events

In addition to this event, you can enjoy all of the daily activities that Lenox offers. Explore our sample ranch schedule.

Join us at Canyon Ranch Lenox for an inspiring dance weekend featuring expert dance instructor and choreographer Nkoula Badila. She will lead guests in an energetic and culturally rich dance exploration that highlights Congolese dance movements. Allow this Dance Weekend's movements uplift your soul and electrify your body.

Discover heart- and hip-opening movements that incorporate the full body to ignite your natural energy within. Nkoula's background in traditional Congolese dance focuses on movements that promote digestion, release trapped energy, and support overall well-being. Join us in the Berkshires to explore the connection between movement, breath, and rhythm.

All our dance weekends occur the first weekend of every month in Lenox, Massachusetts. Join us as new and returning guest choreographers bring their specialties to life in a series of unique classes.

Nkoula Badila
Guest dance instructor Nkoula Badila specializes in traditional Congolese dance and is joining Canyon Ranch Lenox for the first time.

A multi-talented artist, dancer, and healer born into a Congolese dancing and drumming family, Nkoula grew up performing these dances with her nine siblings at schools, community centers, block parties, and beyond, spreading the true beauty of her Congolese culture for the world to see.

Her family continues to share these gifts, teaching traditional dance, drum classes, storytelling, community theatre, and leading craft workshops.

Nkoula and her sisters are also part of Ladymoon and the Eclipse, a traveling cosmic soul band that creates music to help people know they are a part of an infinite universe. She makes music called Nkodia, inspired by the traditional polyrhythmic melodies from her homeland. The name Nkodia symbolizes the spiral and honors the patience of the outward process like the snail. She is the creator of her jewelry business, also named Nkodia, making customized handmade healing adornments. You can find her adornments online here.

Sergio Cardoso (Canyon Ranch Lenox Fitness Instructor)
Sergio Cardoso is originally from Argentina, where his love for Tango began. He is a Certified Group Exercise, Yoga instructor, and Personal Trainer at Canyon Ranch Lenox. His recent dance project "Tango Milongas" combines music and romantic movement to make this special class unique, easy to follow, and enjoyable.

Friday, July 7

2 pm: Root Chakra Ignite
Explore dance movements with Nkoula Badila, focused on opening the hips & strengthening the thighs, legs, and back while igniting the natural sensual energy within to help you move more fluidly and support circulation.

Saturday, July 8

9 am: Stamina Builder
Increase stamina and overall strength in the body in this fun, full-body dance class that incorporates movements from all over West Africa. Nkoula Badila will begin with light stretching and then ease into a faster pace workout.

Saturday, July 8

2 pm: Hip Hop Fusion
Get into a grove and find your swagger in this energetic mix of hip-hop and African dance. Nkoula Badila will guide you as you work on formation and precision. Tune into the flow of the team and your natural rhythm within.

Sunday, July 9

9 am: Milongas: Tango Dance Party with Sergio Cardoso
Learn the basics of tango choreography, with exercises in balance, coordination, and posture while working on connection, dance floor navigation, and musicality.