Urban Pulse Direct ILOVEUPD Spring 2018 | Page 23

Continued following the procedure. Luckily, the staff at Planned Parenthood showed a level of decency Tyde had yet to see from anyone else in the days and weeks following the rape. Into the Darkness Consumed by embarrassment, shame, self loathing and despair; Tyde fell into a severe state of depression that led to drinking, drug use and promiscuity. She was trying to cope with trauma in a dark place by reaching out to darker experiences, anything to numb the pain. For eight months, Tyde’s life spiralled out of control, separating her even more from friends and family but life has a funny way of preparing you for your calling. After the Dark After the darkest eight months of her life, Tyde emerged from the dark with a deeper understanding of the importance for one to value and love one’s self first. Silent and focused, Tyde returned to dance class throwing everything into her training. It was important to her to keep her trauma tucked away so that she can begin to find some normalcy through her passion for dance. She found that the experience of having the instructors make physical contact with her in order to correct her form, helped her to cope with the fears and phobias resulting Complicated but Elegant from the trauma. Tyde found that movement and dance was in itself a healing mechanism for her. She began to reclaim her confidence, strength, and womanhood. As she went through this process of becoming comfortable in her own skin again, Tyde recalls, that there was no outlet to help affect healing through the form of dance. She found it to be such a good outlet where she was experiencing tangible results. So she decided to create one. Ballet After Dark is Born Tyde found Ballet after experiencing the darkest days of her life and began the healing process through dance and thus, Ballet After Dark was born. Ballet After Dark aka B.A.D. was created to change the narrative for those who’ve survived abuse and/or sexual trauma from shame to shine. Tyde describes B.A.D. as “a safe space that’s easily accessible to women of all ethnicities, shapes, sizes, and backgrounds, helping them process, rebuild, and reclaim their lives at any level of trauma”. Currently, Tyde holds monthly workshops for survivors with classes ranging from athletic conditioning and injury prevention to dance. B.A.D. is We Tell Stories of Business Owners Making Big Business Moves! much more than a fitness program. B.A.D. is about spreading the message that you should Never Be Afraid To Reinvent Yourself - that you can have not only the life you want but the life you deserve. Tyde Today While filming and shooting Tyde, we found it difficult to match her energy and passion. Not only were we amazed by her enthusiasm and focus but she managed to impress the entire contestant group of Mister Model International in town for their annual competition. We found the energy in the room to be contagious and we have no doubt that you’ll feel the same when Tyde brings Ballet After Dark to your town or University. #Ballet After Dark has taken its message of healing and reclamation on the road. Tyde explains, “Survivors need to know that they have allies who will defend them against those who believe they are objects to be used— and that’s what Ballet After Dark is here for. “Go to www.balletafterdark. com to find out when B.A.D is coming to your town. Check out the interview and gallery from B.A.D. at www. updmediagroup.com Subscribe to UPDTV on YouTube. Want your story told? email us at [email protected] U R B A N PULSE DIRECT PAGE 23