I am Crystal Najera, and I am pursuing a B.F.A. in Dance with a Concentration in Dance Studies and Choreography at The University of Texas at El Paso. I am involved in learning communities that merge art, research, and health. As a Research Assistant for the NEA-funded project Somatics and Movement for Healthcare, I contribute to interdisciplinary research exploring how somatic practices can enhance healthcare providers’ well-being and reduce burnout. My undergraduate research in Somatics, conducted under the mentorship of Dr. Melissa Melpignano, has deepened my understanding of the body as a site for both healing and scholarly inquiry. I also foster community engagement by bringing dance and movement to non-traditional spaces such as healthcare clinics, and I practice student leadership as the President of Desert Dance, a student organization that creates opportunities for movement exploration. Through my dance practice, research, and leadership, I strive to help others reconnect with their bodies as sites of expression, knowledge, and freedom.