ABOUT SOL VIDA®
SOL VIDA® is a somatic arts and wellness organization that uses dance and embodied movement to support healing, leadership development, and community connection. Our programs have helped people reconnect with their bodies, regulate stress, and build supportive communities through culturally grounded movement practices. We embrace dance as a form of resistance, providing healthy outlets for expression, rebuilding resilience and confidence, while uplifting the art, culture and history of the African Diaspora.
We exist to address the growing impact of chronic stress, burnout, and disconnection—particularly among communities that are often excluded from traditional wellness spaces, including BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), 2SLGBTQIA+(Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex and Asexual), women-identifying, and gender-nonconforming individuals. Systemic stress and social marginalization create what we describe as the “embodied tax”—the physical and emotional toll carried in the body. SOL VIDA® offers accessible, trauma-informed spaces where participants can release stress, build resilience, and rediscover joy through movement.
ABOUT OUR FOUNDER
April (Axé) Charmaine [they/she] is an internationally recognized QTBIPOC Artivist, award-winning entrepreneur, and holistic performing arts educator who has impacted over 20,000 souls across a 20+ year career. As the founder of SOL VIDA™, Unwind & Grind™, and The Embodied Revolution™, Axé is a master embodiment guide specializing in a decolonized approach to Embodied Healing Justice.
Their expertise is forged in a rare intersection of spiritual lineage and technical mastery: Axé is a Certified SomaSource® Practitioner, a Satya BIPOC Yoga Graduate (YTT 200), and has completed the Silvestre Technique Intensive and the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Training Group. With a creative legacy that includes choreographing over 40 musicals, Axé’s toolkit is a powerhouse of the African Diaspora—including Hip Hop, West African, and the Symbology of the Orixás—blended with Modern (Horton/Dunham/Limon), 5Rhythms, and Ecstatic Dance.
An award-winning artist, Axé’s work has spanned the globe, leading transformative containers in Brazil, Ghana, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia, France, Spain, New York, and the SF Bay Area. Dedicated to radical personal freedom, healthy sensuality and body reclamation, Axé creates safer, inclusive sanctuaries where leaders and visionaries can move from grind to grace, centering collective healing and authentic expression. 🌀✨
MEET THE COLLECTIVE MOVEMENT TEAM
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Sophie brings expertise in both digital and traditional arts, social media promotion, and adaptable creative support within nonprofit communities. Her work as an artist is rooted in fostering healing through creative expression, especially in communities that need it most. She is drawn to SOL VIDA’s holistic approach to care and strongly believes in the power of creative and expressive movement as a path toward healing and embodied expression.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Rachel is dedicated to social and racial justice, and passionate about community-based creativity, healing and transformation. As a co-founder of the grassroots nonprofit, Creative Strategies for Change, she has served in roles, specializing in collaborative program and curriculum design, integrating applied theatre, popular education and restorative practices.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Haley is a Council Member at SOL VIDA who deeply values embodiment and community. With expertise in movement, design, and innovation, she bridges creative expression and technical expertise. Haley is passionate about SOL VIDA’s mission to create inclusive spaces for authentic expression, connection, and transformation. She loves contributing to the organization’s tech needs and supporting the creation of new offerings.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Homemaker, DJ, Guide & Technical Creative. I love supporting artists & visionaries, like Axé, my 'bro-bro' and Sol Vida, in grounding, manifesting & generating ideas and projects through a lens of initiation. Marking significant events in our lives with play & ritual. As a Baby Elder Queer I look forward to my next chapter in life; parenting with my spouse! And continuing to engage with my queer & trans community in creating safe sanctuary with beloveds.
CO-CONSPIRATOR
As a Co-Conspirator of SOL VIDA, Tate brings a heart full of movement, creativity, and commitment to the company’s mission. With a lifelong love for dance and embodied expression, she channels her background in graphic design and event support into helping bring SOL VIDA’s vision — of radical personal freedom, healing justice, and community through dance and healing arts — to life.
CO-CONSPIRATOR
Yaisa acts as the guardian of community relations, bookkeeping, and strategic planning. When she isn't tending to the brand’s 'vessel,' Yaisa loves to dance and go on random adventures, but she can also be a bit of a homebody who enjoys simple nights in with smooth jazz and a journal or a good book.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Sophie brings expertise in both digital and traditional arts, social media promotion, and adaptable creative support within nonprofit communities. Her work as an artist is rooted in fostering healing through creative expression, especially in communities that need it most. She is drawn to SOL VIDA’s holistic approach to care and strongly believes in the power of creative and expressive movement as a path toward healing and embodied expression.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Rachel is dedicated to social and racial justice, and passionate about community-based creativity, healing and transformation. As a co-founder of the grassroots nonprofit, Creative Strategies for Change, she has served in roles, specializing in collaborative program and curriculum design, integrating applied theatre, popular education and restorative practices.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Haley is a Council Member at SOL VIDA who deeply values embodiment and community. With expertise in movement, design, and innovation, she bridges creative expression and technical expertise. Haley is passionate about SOL VIDA’s mission to create inclusive spaces for authentic expression, connection, and transformation. She loves contributing to the organization’s tech needs and supporting the creation of new offerings.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Homemaker, DJ, Guide & Technical Creative. I love supporting artists & visionaries, like Axé, my 'bro-bro' and Sol Vida, in grounding, manifesting & generating ideas and projects through a lens of initiation. Marking significant events in our lives with play & ritual. As a Baby Elder Queer I look forward to my next chapter in life; parenting with my spouse! And continuing to engage with my queer & trans community in creating safe sanctuary with beloveds.
CO-CONSPIRATOR
As a Co-Conspirator of SOL VIDA, Tate brings a heart full of movement, creativity, and commitment to the company’s mission. With a lifelong love for dance and embodied expression, she channels her background in graphic design and event support into helping bring SOL VIDA’s vision — of radical personal freedom, healing justice, and community through dance and healing arts — to life.
CO-CONSPIRATOR
Yaisa acts as the guardian of community relations, bookkeeping, and strategic planning. When she isn't tending to the brand’s 'vessel,' Yaisa loves to dance and go on random adventures, but she can also be a bit of a homebody who enjoys simple nights in with smooth jazz and a journal or a good book.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Sophie brings expertise in both digital and traditional arts, social media promotion, and adaptable creative support within nonprofit communities. Her work as an artist is rooted in fostering healing through creative expression, especially in communities that need it most. She is drawn to SOL VIDA’s holistic approach to care and strongly believes in the power of creative and expressive movement as a path toward healing and embodied expression.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Rachel is dedicated to social and racial justice, and passionate about community-based creativity, healing and transformation. As a co-founder of the grassroots nonprofit, Creative Strategies for Change, she has served in roles, specializing in collaborative program and curriculum design, integrating applied theatre, popular education and restorative practices.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Haley is a Council Member at SOL VIDA who deeply values embodiment and community. With expertise in movement, design, and innovation, she bridges creative expression and technical expertise. Haley is passionate about SOL VIDA’s mission to create inclusive spaces for authentic expression, connection, and transformation. She loves contributing to the organization’s tech needs and supporting the creation of new offerings.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Homemaker, DJ, Guide & Technical Creative. I love supporting artists & visionaries, like Axé, my 'bro-bro' and Sol Vida, in grounding, manifesting & generating ideas and projects through a lens of initiation. Marking significant events in our lives with play & ritual. As a Baby Elder Queer I look forward to my next chapter in life; parenting with my spouse! And continuing to engage with my queer & trans community in creating safe sanctuary with beloveds.
