I have known Rita for many years, through her trance dance classes. She is open and accepting of all in her class, giving everyone (who chooses) a chance to express her or his perspective on what is going on. I have been to many “New Age” types of events, and I’ve seen the danger when a leader loses focus on what the goals should be. But Rita always keeps a spiritual focus, while respecting boundaries (her own and those of the class members). She seems to embody the “contradictions” of strength with gentleness, artistic beauty with the practical, empowerment without giving away power, and spiritual with physical – qualities that are important to a dancer. I always feel high at the end of her classes. She is a gift. Larry Myers