Shayna Cua, founder of the dance studio Nude Floor, firmly believes that “everything about dance is spiritual.” The way bodies move freely, connecting to something beyond themselves, holds a deep spiritual essence. However, Cua refuses to label the studio as a “safe space,” instead viewing it as a vibrant canvas for limitless exploration.
Alongside her husband and co-founder, Byron Hontiveros, Cua seeks to foster a community that finds both stage and refuge within the studio’s walls. Inspired by the captivating energy of Japan’s Naoshima art island, they meticulously designed Nude Floor to evoke a similar sense of immersion. The studio’s artfully painted walls serve as a backdrop for the dance, while the floor seamlessly curves onto the walls and up to the ceiling, symbolizing the interconnectedness of beginnings and ends.
The name “Nude Floor” holds multiple layers of meaning. Beyond its literal reference to the studio’s neutral palette, it also pays homage to the historical artistic tradition of depicting the human form as art. In this space, women step onto the floor as artists, sculpting their bodies to tell intimate stories through movement. Dance becomes a powerful storytelling device, with each form, step, and pause composing an honest portrait of the dancer’s experiences.
Cua emphasizes the profound impact dance has on her students’ emotional well-being. She recounts witnessing a shy regular dancer blossom into a confident performer, revealing her vulnerabilities and emotions through movement. Joey Atayde, a dance and movement therapist, explains the scientific basis for this transformative power: “Mirror neurons allow empathy, where you can say, ‘I’m with you. I don’t know what you’re going through, but I see you and I validate you.'”
Angelica Hernandez, a frequent visitor to Nude Floor, expresses the liberating experience of finding a space where she can fully embrace her individuality and express herself through dance. Cua herself, having returned to dance after a period of personal struggle, acknowledges the healing power of movement. “The energy and connectedness we feel in a space while [dancing] together is spiritual,” she says. “The way that dance has the power to heal is spiritual.”
Nude Floor transcends the boundaries of a conventional dance studio. It’s a sanctuary for self-discovery, artistic expression, and emotional healing. The transformative power of dance, combined with the intentional design and supportive community fostered by Cua and Hontiveros, creates a space where individuals can connect with their deepest selves and find solace in the shared language of movement.
