“In the end, Komorebi stamped us with the expansiveness of Nava’s spiritual journey. We were witnesses to the growing gentle brilliance of this multi-talented choreographer.”
Navaji David Nava
Artist, Author, Choreographer, Educator… y mas.
Nava, is a multifaceted artist from the Rio Grande Valley in South, Texas based in Austin, Texas. Nava started his artistic journey in 2008 as a professional ballet dancer with the Sarasota Ballet Company after representing the USA at the Rudolph Nureyev International Ballet Competition in Budapest, Hungary.
Training under revered personalities such as Gilbert Mayer of the Paris Opera Ballet, Stanton Welch of the Houston Ballet, Margaret Barbieri, a world-renowned Prima Ballerina with The Royal Ballet, Dominic Walsh and Desmond Richardson of Complexions. Nava’s dance career is enriched by a diverse range of performances and leading roles. His repertoire includes renowned choreographers’ works such as Andre Prokovsky’s ‘Vespri’ & ‘Anna Karenina’, George Balanchine’s ‘Who Cares’, Ashton’s ‘Les Patineurs’, 'Facade', & 'Two Pigeons', Dame Ninette De Valois’s ‘The Rake’s Progress’ & ‘Checkmate’, John Cranko’s ‘Pineapple Poll’, Sir Peter Wright’s ‘Giselle’.
Nava performed as a principal in Matthew Bourne’s — ‘Boutique’ as The Boyfriend and as a soloist in George Balanchine’s ‘Divertimento No. 15’, Anthony Tudor’s ‘Lilac Garden’ as her Lover, Robert North’s ‘Troy Games’ and in Peter Darrell’s ‘Othello’ as Cassio. Nava’s soloist and lead performances in contemporary work include Dominic Walsh’s ‘Trilogy’ & ‘Napoletani’, Leymis Wilmott’s ‘In Flight’ and 'Aftermath'.
Following a major injury to both ankles, Nava found solace in visual and healing arts as he recovered, using them as channels to express his resilience and creativity, and took on the name Navaji as a representation of this new path in life. During this journey, he met a mentor who became a bridge for Navaji, connecting him to a world of esoteric study, global spiritual practices, anthroposophy, mysticism, religious world views, and protocol-driven healing modalities, to name a few. His art is profoundly influenced by his spiritual studies and the clairvoyant visions experienced during healing sessions he offers his clents.
In 2021, Navaji earned a bachelor degree in Arts from the University of Texas at Austin and currently serves as an arts educator at Highland Park Elementary in Austin ISD. His creative endeavors are deeply interconnected with his humanitarian work, reflecting his commitment to personal and spiritual development.
Since 2018, Navaji has been with Ventana Ballet as a dance artist, stepping into the role of resident choreographer in 2023. His latest work, "KOMOREBI," showcases his versatile talents as a producer, set-builder, costume designer, and choreographer. Through his unique methodology, ATMA Moves, he guided Ventana Ballet to adopt his unique style for his latest work KOMOREBI. The show was an inspiring, sold out production. Read the review here.
As a practitioner of healing modalities and Karmic Yoga, Nava offers Panic Healing, a no-touch energetic healing modality. His practice focuses on general etheric cleansing, pain relief, trauma relief, transitional support of death and dying, space clearing, spiritual and energetic development.
Navaji continues to perform throughout the year in Austin, Texas with Ventana Ballet, while also dancing with a paintbrush and other tools to bring his inner visions to life. His journey, transitioning from stage to canvas and healing spaces, personifies his resilience, creativity, and relentless pursuit of personal and spiritual growth.
Most recently Navaji has expanded his aspirational creative journey into the world of literature and illustration. His debut series, “A Soul’s Life” combines his artistic flair with his spiritual studies to offer readers an enchanting voyage of self-discovery and personal growth. As an author, Nava aims at helping people of all ages find, understand, and express their own identities, and their place in the world.
For more information about Navaji, his ATMA Moves classes, potential collaboration opportunities, or to book Navaji David Nava for your next school function, author visit, book fair, conference, corporate event please contact Navaji through the contact page.
“The brilliance of our legacy depends on the magnitude of our mental, emotional and spiritual development.”
- Navaji
