Today we’d like to introduce you to Catalina Alexandra.
Catalina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The story I remember starts in Bogota, Colombia when I was born 39 years ago. The fire that inspired my life was one of movement, more specifically, dance. Choreography inundated my brain, and what it seemed a quiet day-dreaming during recess was actually as internally active as a flock of birds at sunset.
After graduating from high school, I left Colombia following that dance compass, which took me to Cuba. I lived in La Habana for a year, and before I knew it, I was packing to head up north again.
With an achy heart and doubts about my ability to pursue a career in dance, I landed in Houston the 9th of August of 2000. Two days later, I was taking an English placement exam, and finishing my paperwork to continue my dance studies. Once at the University of Houston, the doors started to open. My life consisted of theaters, rehearsal rooms, dance classes, some touring, six to seven other jobs sprinkled in, but most importantly, the people I got to work with. Not only you share sweat, tears, and delirious laughter, but you share life. The creation of a piece is at the same time the destruction of itself. I didn’t know then that dance reflected so much the paradox of life. I didn’t know until profound sensing that led to a decision ‘to walk,’ ‘to wander’ created distance between this art form and myself.
Almost three years ago, my backpack was packed. I held in my hand one-way ticket south filled with uncertainty and fear of the unknown. Everything that I had accumulated over the last 16 years was sold, donated, or gifted. The grief of a loved life ached in my bones. I could only put one foot in front of the other. I didn’t know who I was anymore.
The next eight months, I spent wandering the world. I took 23 flights, ten trains, five buses, two boats, and walked a lot. (you can read more about it on my Facebook page, a backpack, a hope, and a hammock). During this time, even though was very challenging, it was also a filter. Cleaning out all distraction, helping me see what matters, helping me see and experience the different aspects of myself… not only the professional dancer. This time was one long thread of magical synchronicities.
After I had a dream in Wudang, China, I decided to come to Houston again. No logical explanation, only strong sensing. Was welcomed with immense love and gratitude, and a check. A well-welcomed check.
For the past almost two years, Ive been weaving a web (at least that’s how I see it). Houston seems to be the center from where I shoot out. Shoot out to Israel, to China, to Canada, to the West and East Coast, to Central and South America, to Greece, to the mountains, the jungle, the beach, the desert, the cliffs, the ancient ruins.
Some people think that I’ve finished ‘the walk.’ But how can one finish something that was never started?
The movement traced in a world map is simply a macrocosmos of the movement danced in the studios and theaters. I’ve never stopped, I never started. Movement is what leads me home, to myself… for now.
And with movement comes stillness. With expansion comes contraction.
My feet are in Houston now. And I wander the city, meeting it new again every time I pop up my tent at a new market. New faces, new conversations, new challenges, new inspiration. My 1yr old business that started out of a ‘coincidence,’ is now allowing me to move, to discover the city and myself. It is allowing me to be danced anew.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Definitely not a smooth road, but who really wants a smooth road. Kind of like a heartbeat, who wants a straight line?
Some of the challenges that I now consider gifts:
Not having a father, being bullied, failing an academic year because my body was too thick for a dancer, being ignored when asking for help regarding an eating disorder… and the list goes on. There is no victim here. These are stories and experiences that taught me, and still, teach me lessons. It is clearer to me now that these ‘external’ circumstances, this constant rejection expressed in a multitude of formats were there to show me how closed up I was. How guarded and hardened I was because of fear of pain, because of fear to be seen.
The obstacles become your path. They are the ones that refine you, polish you. Without hardship and comfort for that matter, there is no contrast. One becomes the other, they are not separated. They gift you numerous skills. They gift you the gift of perspective. They gift you the gift of compassion. They gift you the gift of resilience. They gift you the gift of integrity, they gift you the gift of vulnerability. They gift you the gift of authenticity. They gift you the gift of you.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
One day, I might be selling my essential oil blends, and another day, I might be planting a tree in Israel.
But for now, let me share with you about this beautiful business that showed up a year ago.
Oils.Earth came into existence out of an essential oil blend request from a friend. She was the first one to pay me (regardless of me insisting it was a gift) for a product I made. I saw this as an opportunity to do something new, something I’ve never done before… creates a business.
For me, Oils.Earth is a ritual. I consider all plants sacred so I treat them as such. Each product is welcomed by lighting incense, a candle, and speaking a blessing. The oils and crystals are cleansed and charged for the highest benefit of whoever is called to take it home with them. For me, It is a way to show respect and connect to the Earth, share her tools and wisdom.
What sets me apart from others? Hmm… I want to think of it as to what brings us together. How about love. Love of what we do, who we serve.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
I’ve heard that you become like the five persons you spend the most time with. So, I surround myself with people that I admire, people that inspire me.
As far as finding a mentor or network. Lao Tzu said, ‘When the student is ready, the teacher appears.’ I believe this to be true. The teachers that have shown me the way, have ‘showed up’ in perfect timing. The key is to be receptive, be open, trust, and listen… listen to everything, with everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.oils.earth
- Email: catalina@oils.earth
- Instagram: @oils.e4rth
Image Credit:
Userofreality – Photography, Gentry and Lynn lane photography
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
