When was the last time you played like nobody was watching?
HEART TO HEART PLAYLAB
Four free workshops for BIPOC women, trans & nonbinary folks who are ready to play their way back to their whole selves. (Yes, your WHOLE weird, wonderful, slightly feral selves.) 🐯
Applications close October 3
Your “Perfect” Self Is Exhausted. Your Creative Self Is Ready to Play.
You've mastered the art of showing up perfectly. The code-switching. The careful calculations of how much is "too much." The constant proving you deserve to take up space. (Exhausting, right? Your inner child is OVER IT.)
But what if there was a space where you could be gloriously, rebelliously, authentically messy? Where your weird laugh is celebrated? Where "that's not professional" is a compliment?
A place made for BIPOC women, trans & nonbinary folks who are done explaining why we need this. Where we're not the diversity checkbox - we're the whole damn point.
Heart to Heart PlayLab is a revolutionary workshop series where play becomes resistance, where laughter heals what self-care can’t touch, and where your whole self - not just your “acceptable” parts - gets to take up space.
This is Play as Medicine
Through playful movement, embodied exercises, and drama therapy techniques, we're creating something different:
A playground for grown folks who are tired of being so damn serious 🤹🏼♀️
A laboratory for authentic expression (where "too much" is just right)
A community where "professional" and "playful" can finally be friends (maybe even besties?)
A circle where BIPOC women, trans & nonbinary folks heal together (because your journal can't high-five you)
No improv/theater experience needed - we’re using playful techniques as tools for healing, NOT for performance!
Applications close October 3
Four FREE Transformative Workshops
Imposter Syndrome: The Remix
Saturday, October 11, 2025 2-5pm
Tell that voice in your head it's time for intermission.
Ever catch yourself thinking "they're gonna find out I don't belong here"? Time to give your imposter a character, a voice, and then... a new ending. Through embodied play and improv, we'll literally step outside those limiting stories and into "wait, I'm actually pretty amazing."
Burnout to Breakthrough
Saturday, November 8, 2025 2-5pm
When grinding isn't working, maybe it's time to play instead.
Burnout isn't just tired - it's when your whole system says "nope." Through embodied play and gentle movement, we'll honor that exhaustion while exploring what wants to emerge. No toxic positivity, just real humans finding authentic ways back to aliveness.
Authentic Art Practice
Saturday, January 10, 2026 2-5pm
Discover what you create when nobody's grading you.
Remember making art before anyone told you it wasn't 'good enough'? Using embodied creative exercises, we'll explore what emerges when perfectionism leaves the room. Haven't created since middle school? Perfect. This space will help you find creative freedom and show you how to bring that freedom back to your desk, your meetings, and your whole life.
Love is a Horror Story
Friday, February 13, 2026 6:30-9:30pm
Because sometimes the scariest thing is opening your heart.
What's more terrifying - Friday the 13th or February 14th? Join us for a workshop that plays with both. Using movement, storytelling, and embodied games, we'll explore the delicious dread of vulnerability, the horror of being truly seen, and the scary-beautiful risk of letting people in. Whether you're coupled, single, or somewhere complicated, come unmask what scares you about connection.
Applications close October 3
Here's What We're Really Doing:
Saying how we REALLY feel 📣 - in a space that can hold it AND celebrate it!
Moving our bodies because healing isn't just from the neck up (your shoulders have opinions!)
Laughing until our cheeks hurt because joy is revolutionary (plus it confuses the patriarchy)
Creating together because isolation is overrated (and boring👎🏽)
Playing with possibility in a real/not-real space where anything can happen (and probably will, watch out!)
This has therapeutic benefits but it's not therapy. It's better -it's community. With snacks. (Okay, BYO snacks, but still.)
“Perfect mix of movement, silliness, vulnerability, and connection. Plus if you tell Marcia to hold you like a baby for a group selfie she'll happily oblige.” -Jillian
Who This Is For:
You're our people if you:
Identify as BIPOC women, trans, or nonbinary
Are “professionally” accomplished but creatively starving (entrepreneur? parent? exec? artist? yes, all of those count as “professional” to us!)
Believe healing happens with others, not just in your journal (journals don't laugh at your jokes)
Want to meet folks who get it without you having to explain
Are spiritual but not trying to be sanctimonious about it (crystals optional, humor required)
Know that self-care is great, but community care hits different (like, actually works)
Are ready to be 'too much' on purpose
You're especially our people if you're thinking: "Is there another way to be?" (Spoiler: There is! It involves more giggling)
Applications close October 3
“Marcia was warm, sensitive, caring, and respectful. Her presence and willingness to be vulnerable herself made her a light to follow as we endeavored to be more authentic and playful.” -Alexis
The Details
When:
Imposter Syndrome: Saturday, October 11th, 2-5pm
Burnout: Saturday, November 8th, 2-5pm
Authentic Art: Saturday, January 10th, 2-5pm
Love is a Horror Story: Friday, February 13th, 6:30-9:30pm
Application Deadline: October 3rd (for all workshops) Space is limited to 12-15 humans per workshop - apply early!
Where: Dance Mission Theater, 3316 24th Street, SF, CA 94110
Led by: Marcia Aguilar + trainees from iWest Institute
Investment: Free! (Yes, really. No, there’s no catch. Yes, we’re sure. Stop looking suspicious.)
Thanks to generous support from the SF Arts Commission, we're able to offer these workshops at no cost to participants. This grant allows us to remove financial barriers and create truly accessible spaces for BIPOC women+ to explore, play, and heal together.
This collaboration with iWest Institute (Institute for Developmental Transformations and Drama Therapy Training) brings professional drama therapy techniques to our community.
Applications close October 3
Meet Your Playful Healing Companion
Hey there, fellow playful soul! I'm Marcia, your wild, weird Tía in the world of healing through drama therapy. Ever felt trapped in a never-ending loop of anxiety and turmoil? Yeah, me too. I used to hide behind silly jokes, but now those jokes are all about pleasure, not pain.
Growing up, I wanted to be a teacher, an actress, and a stand-up comic all rolled into one. But anxiety had other plans. It wasn't until I stumbled into theater, comedy improv, and drama therapy that I found my way to heal and move forward. Oh, and I worked in community mental health for a while too, but that stress nearly knocked me flat.
You see, my life's mission is to facilitate healing through play and theater. I'm all about bending and breaking societal rules in the playspace, and helping others find their way to self-awareness and transformation. I believe that healing oneself is a step towards world peace, and I'm passionate about sharing this with others, especially women of color.
I value authenticity, vulnerability, peace, healing, and transformation. I see theater as a means to explore worlds that are different, and it's my job to bring those worlds to life on stage and truthfully tell their story.
Ready to get rebellious (courageous?) with your healing and break free from that cocoon? Join me in this journey, and we'll laugh, play, and heal together. Come on, let's create a space where you can finally spread those wings!
FAQs
Do I need improv or theater experience?
Nope! This is about healing through play, not performing. If you can breathe and giggle, you're ready. Can you make weird faces? Bonus points, but not required.
Is this therapy?
Nope! It has therapeutic benefits but this is play, not therapy. It's better - it's community. With significantly more giggling than your average therapy session.
I can’t afford it. Do you offer scholarships?
Better than scholarships - it's ALL free! Zero dollars. Nada. We got that grant money, baby! Thank you, SF Arts Commission!
Do I have to attend all four workshops?
No! Each one is a complete experience. Come to one that calls to you or come to all four and become our favorite regular!
What is Developmental Transformations (DvT)?
It's a playful, embodied approach to healing where we use movement, sound, and the play space to explore the real/not real. Think of it as improv meets therapy meets play - but we're just playing, not doing therapy. You'll experience it rather than analyze it. Your inner child already knows how to do this, trust us.
Your Next Steps:
1. Click Apply Now (6-minute form-we timed it)
2. We'll review applications and connect with selected participants ASAP
3. If selected, you'll receive a personal welcome email
4. Not selected this round? We'll keep you on our list for future offerings - this is just the beginning!
5. Show up ready to play!
Questions? Email marcia@bodymindimprov.com
Applications close October 3
Ready to Reclaim
Your Play?
This is about remembering who you were before the world told you who to be. (Remember them? They’re fun! Probably have opinions about your current playlist)
Application Process: We're curating a special group of humans for this free experience. Tell us about yourself, what you're craving, and what you'd do if your imposter syndrome couldn't stop you. (Dream big. Dream weird.)
Applications close October 3