As the Director of Windflower SEEDS, I am delighted and committed to bring the SEEDs (Self-esteem, Empowerment and Education through Dance) program to Amarillo.  Upon completing the SEEDs National Instructor Training Program, in June 2007, under the direction of Myra Krien, Founder/Director of Pomegranate SEEDs, established in Santa Fe, NM, in 2001, I was so touched by the testimonials of SEEDs graduates, and the professionalism of the program, I was convinced I had to bring the SEEDs program to the Amarillo community.  I believe our young women are hungry for diversity, and culture, and as young teens, whose bodies are beginning to change, and social pressures concerning body image start to come in to play, the SEEDs program offers a safe and supportive environment.  There is no competition or right body type.  As these young women gain control over their bodies they build self-confidence and greater self-esteem.  They begin to realize that body image should not come from society’s standard of beauty, and they become empowered to overcome the need and want to live up to those unrealistic expectations.  

My goal is to enable young women in our community to become healthy and strong individuals who are socially and fiscally responsible to themselves and their community.  SEEDs accomplishes just that through the discipline of this athletic art, talking circles, journal writing and presentations.  SEEDs also provides a platform for successful women, within the Amarillo community, to address the girls each week, discussing their own experiences, and acting as mentors to help our young women achieve her own personal goals.

Bonnie Cowley, a former IBM Learning Consultant and Competitive Bodybuilder is currently the Director of Windflower  SEEDs in Amarillo, TX, and has been studying the art of Bellydance for over 3 years, under the direction of some of the most professional dancers in this field.  Bonnie currently instructs bellydance classes at the Downtown Athletic Club, and offers workshops throughout the year.