MindFull Movement: Creating Space for Belonging, Wellness, and Self-Expression

MindFull Movement is all about creating space for belonging. The Oceanside-based dance and movement collective is a haven of healthy self-expression, wellness, and healing for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals. “Most of us leave town because we don’t have access to things we need for our own well-being,” explains MindFull Movement founder Daja Fesili. “For me, growing up, I never had outlets. I asked myself, what can I create that lets us breathe? Instead of escaping our environment, how can we be in it successfully?”

Borne out of a three-day workshop series in 2023, MindFull Movement has since established a vibrant presence in Oceanside, holding open hip hop, step, and other movement sessions for participants spanning across generations. With a steady rotation of instructors specializing in different dance styles, programs provide not only a wildly fun outlet for physical fitness, they also support self-expression, creativity, and meaningful connection.

Shares Fesili, “Our communities don’t really prioritize mental health – MindFull Movement is a way to breathe and have fun that is not too heavy.” Dance, movement, and storytelling also equip participants with tools to help navigate complex identities—empowering them to tell their stories and use their strengths to fill in the gaps for others. In this way, MindFull Movement bridges a gap in representation, visibility, and support for these voices, especially in spaces where wellness, mental health, and creative expression converge.

At the heart of this initiative is the mission to uplift, empower, and heal marginalized communities. And while Oceanside is rich in cultural and ethnic diversity, it is in some ways removed from the resources that flow to arts organizations and cultural programs in San Diego and other North County regions. MindFull Movement narrows the divide: creating a local platform for healthy self-expression and fostering leadership development for local arts and culture leaders. 

But perhaps the biggest shift brought about by MindFull Movement is participants’ new perspective on the power and potential of movement. For Daja Fesili and others, dance “used to be something they used to escape.” Now, it’s about building resilience, a sense of belonging, and opportunities to thrive physically and emotionally.