"When I am ready to let go of an aspect of myself I get a trim, I keep the hair to offer back to the earth."

Jade Sanchez is an Mexican/American dancer, choreographer, creative director, filmmaker, and multimedia artist with Aztec & Irish roots. Born and raised on the California coast, she is passionate about collaboration with the intention of bringing women of unique gifts and backgrounds together through movement & art. Her message is to live closer to the earth. She is located deep in the Appalachian forest and travels often to bring perspective, diversity, and culture into her work and dance.

Jade is passionate about holding movement based spaces where those partaking in a project can explore the voice of earth that moves through each person individually. These dance projects feature a global network of dancers from all around the world. Through her art she explores using choreography as a medium of embodying that voice while also celebrating the feminine spirit.

What is your relationship with your hair?

My relationship with my hair is a metaphor of my relationship with strength and resilience. Made of the spirit of all my experiences, when I connect with my hair I connect with my past, memory, and all my the parts of myself that played a role in bringing me to where I am today.





What role does hair play in your cultural identity?

When I was a little girl my dad who is from Guerrero, Mexico used to braid my hair every morning as a daily ritual! I grew up in San Diego away from his side of the family so little moments like these felt like big ways of passing down our cultural identity. 

My hair was always so different than the other girls at school because of this, and I will always remember that feeling. Now that I’m older and I look back at this, I feel as if he was braiding into my hair the strength and pride of where we come from as Mexican people with Aztec roots. 

I always kept this simple practice with me thought my life. 

When I braid my hair I am reminded of how lucky I am to carry these roots that are filled with deep earth magic and lots of incredible stories.

Hair is very significant in my culture in many different ways. When I connect to the practice of honoring my hair and growing it out, it reminds me of the honor and responsibility of keeping traditions alive within myself. Every time I braid my hair it’s a celebration of who I come from. I see my ancestors in my face and imagine how they used to sit and braid their hair as well. This brings me deep strength every time. 

Do you have any hair rituals?

I have a few ! I start every day with connecting with my hair! Usually this looks like braiding~ Sometimes I do just one braid to either the left or right.

The right side represents self love of my existing self exactly as I am. By braiding this way I give myself self love. 

If I braid left it means I am giving love and intention to the self I am becoming. If I braid that way I am giving love to and working towards my future self and what I am calling in.






Some days I will let it free and wavy after the braids were in over night and put Hinu or argan oil in. I notice how my dance style and movement changes when I have this flow and freedom.

When I am ready to let go of an aspect of myself I get a trim, I keep the hair to offer back to the earth in times of gratitude or if I need guidance. 

What does self-love mean to you?

To me self love is taking the time to make sure you are operating as whole. To me this means making sure your mind, body, womb, heart, & spirit are all taken care of and existing harmoniously. Sometimes if I am in my mind to much I forget to check in on what the rest of my self needs. When I can stay in deep listening with all of me and give myself what I need, that feels like self love ! 

To me this is as simple as breathing, listening, & dancing ! 

Where do you feel most creative?

I feel most creative when I am bringing through a huge vision that calls on all of my art forms. 

For example right now I’m working on a new project called ‘Mujeres de las piedras’ that is a stage show & short film with 22 dancers. I choreographed 4 pieces for it, made 12 clay masks, 7 pots, and clay jewelry along with helping composing some of the music.

This is where I thrive! When the vision and muse is speaking to me real time along with showing me ideas in dreams.

I hear the vision calling me to expand like “I need to be like this this, I need to feel like this, It needs to look like this “ and I just have to figure out how to make whatever I am seeing in my head! 

When I get in the studio with my dancers who are apart of the project to learn the choreography It is the most rewarding creative feeling. Putting everything together & syncing in with these incredible women inspires me deeply. 

The creative space we cultivate together is so nourishing and makes my heart glow for many months after.

What brings you the most fulfillment and happiness?

Dancing, creating art with my hands, dreaming up wild visions, filming dance projects with lots of women, spending time singing really crazy and wildly with my sweetest friends, living deep in the forest in Appalachia where I can feel deep peace with nature, teaching women dance, spending time with my lover, appreciating how love makes life so rich, traveling, & anytime I get to spend with my family. 

JADE'S HINU HOME PLAYLIST