Saffire Bouchelion is a Black Belt Nia instructor who has been passionately practicing Nia for 15 years. He is also a professional performer and musician who has been featured on over 38 CD's, and has opened for several national acts, including Cheryl Crow, Crash Test Dummies, and Barenaked Ladies. His embodiment and transmission of music and rhythm stir profound emotional transformation in his students.

Saffire co-founded two experimental dance companies in 1986 and 1989, and has performed with Danelle Hellander Dance Company and Mergence Dance Theater. For seven years he was co-director of the Ecstatic Choir, five at Naropa University where he was also a musical accompanist for dance and movement classes, and taught drumming for continuing education. He has taught drumming and vocal workshops throughout the US, Europe, and Mexico.

SHAMANTRA evolved out of Saffire’s life experiences and training, integrating his knowledge of the body, rhythm, and voice. These workshops were developed in the Pacific Northwest, where they are offered regularly. The international expansion of SHAMANTRA began in Budapest, Hungary and Hamburg, Germany in 2006. The expansion has continued at Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico, Venice, Italy and Bali.

The current schedule for SHAMANTRA includes Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California in May 14TH – 16TH, 2010. Watch our current calendar listing for SHAMANTRA in Amsterdam, Paris, Australia and New Zealand.