Luz Emma Cañas Madrigal is a warrior, a healer and a storyteller. She graduated with highest honors from the Chicano Studies Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara and was a Graduate Fellow in the Department of World Arts and Cultures, UCLA, while attaining her Master's Degree in Dance Movement Therapy. She was certified by the Kundalini Research Institute in Kundalini Yoga and has studied Sufi Healing on the Shadhiliya Sufi Path for over sixteen years. She has led workshops at Columbia University, Brooklyn Museum, and American Airlines and has worked with a wide variety of clientele ranging from pre-verbal children to recording artists. Luz is giving continuity to the Capoeira passed down to her by her deceased master and husband, Jorge Luiz de Souza Jesus, through Capoeira Muçurumim. The first Capoeira group to be founded, and directed, by a woman in the United States. Luz's three previously self-published Sufi poetry books were re-published in one collection entitled, From him to Him, through Maximalist Press in March, 2021. Her memoir, Martial Love: was released under her own publishing company, Madrigal Publishing in 2022.
On Crisis Intervention...
Within a short amount of time talking with Mama Luz, my perspective on life has shifted dramatically. She taught me that rainy days are essential in order to fully appreciate the sun. Her advice and most importantly, her life experience, is a gift that I am blessed to have. 
D.S. - Artist
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On Accountability (survivor perspective)...
I connected with Mama Luz through an accountability process this summer with a group of survivors, each in different stages of their healing processes. Before knowing she would be our guide, I felt a bit uneasy & unsure about participating. It's such a subjective & emotional process that I couldn't know what to expect. I decided to surrender to the process & to her guidance after feeling how beautifully she held space for us all during our first gathering. The structure, insight & strength she brought to our difficult process was truly magical to experience. The way she advocates for survivors while calling in abusers & harm doers is a delicate balance that she handles with nothing but grace & light. I'm incredibly grateful for the work she does & that our dark circumstances showed me her light. 
- E.L. / Survivor / Designer

Mama Luz has been an incredible guide for me in my healing process. She led us through the accountability process with love, care, fairness and strength. I felt rooted and lifted in her presence. I learned invaluable lessons about accountability and non-punitive justice through her wisdom and unshakeable faith. Her mentality of fairness and balance allowed me to feel safe and heard in a process that can be painful and triggering. Her resolve to be of service and to see the process through was inspiring. I am unwavering on my journey of healing largely due to the exceptional work of Mama Luz. 
- I.D / Survivor / Actress

On Accountability (harm doer perspective)...

I am deeply grateful for the gift and grounding force that Mama Luz has been in throughout the transformative justice process that I helped support.  As a facilitator, she guided us to listen and return to the truths of survivors, to do the slow and deep work of repair, and to hold space for healing.  She supported us to be more honest, patient, courageous, and loving in this collective work.  I have learned, and will continue to learn, so much from her.
- A.M. / Harm Doer Support / Organizer

On Teacher's Training...

Luz offers the most comprehensive, thorough, intriguing, accurate, and transformative Yoga Teacher's Training. It is not just books, formulas and numbers. It is incredibly spiritual. You have full guidance and understanding along the way and beyond. Even after you graduate, you have a lifelong mentor and honorable leader. Filled with gratitude for all she has taught me and continues to share.
- Angela Williams-Jones/CorpYogi

On Sufi Healing...
Luz is amazing, a blessing and a friend.  To be honest I was skeptical about the idea of a spiritual anything, let alone a healer, but I was drawn to Luz and decided to go with my gut.  I felt safe and calm in her presence. And while I still don't understand how this whole process works, I knew that after my talks and visits with her I would be ok. My doctor confirmed my new found belief saying "sometimes these things just go away or improve on their own"...and sometimes it's Luz!
- Nichole Robinson Galacia, Model/Actress 

On Creative Arts & Yoga Therapy...
When I first began to work with Luz, I had been diagnosed with an uncurable degenerative neurological disease. As a result, I was also battling anxiety and depression: I was “self-medicating” with compulsive behavior and my job and marriage were in jeopardy. Today, my attitudes toward my disease (and life in general) are much more positive. My compulsive behavior has stopped completely. My marriage is stronger than ever. My wife and I have a beautiful baby daughter, who is named Lucy. Not a coincidence. I feel better and stronger physically than I have in a long time. Neither of these would have been possible without Luz. I recommend her wholeheartedly. Not just to anyone in need of Yoga, or Pilates instruction, but to anyone who wants to improve their life and be healthier and happier.
- Dan Kieffer/Parkinson's Disease Warrior & Stem Cell Advocate

On Rhythm & Breath...
Over the nearly 8 years of her tutelage, I have cultivated a deeper relationship to the Divine with the guidance of Luz in Kundalini Yoga, increased my endurance and strength with her Boudoir Ballet and have been blessed to experience her compassion in every step of my healing journey. 
N'Tirzah al Rephaim/Musician and Spoken Word Artist
 
On Boudoir Ballet...
Boudoir Ballet is magic! It was the first workout video that I ever got excited about. And it's seriously the only 20 day challenge (fitness or otherwise) that I have ever completed. I even did it twice! I felt so much stronger and more confident by day five each time. A priceless experience. Totally got my $9 worth and more!
- Olivia Lovejoy/Wellness Entrepreneur