Damian Paglia is a certified holistic health practitioner (American Association of Drugless Practitioners), therapeutic life coach, and social architect. He has been fostering and facilitating community, belonging, and healing since 2001. Damian received a bachelor’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University in exercise physiology and studio art and received additional training from the City University of New York in movement science. Subsequently, he has amassed wide ranging trainings in embodiment practices. He is a Kundalini yoga instructor, a Usui master Reiki practitioner and pioneering integration group facilitator. He opened a private wellness practice specializing in social and emotional regulation in 2004. 

In addition to his wellness work, he is also a renowned community organizer. He is the founder and organizer of New Haven Ecstatic Dance, a center for transformational healing arts, music, and movement. He also founded the healing arts music festival, Harmonizer, and was selected to co-orchestrate the “under91 project,” New Haven’s largest public art project. He has also been the recipient of numerous grants to lead pop-up dance events at the New Haven Arts and Ideas Festival. Damian invites all to join him in co-creating inclusive, empowering spaces where play is the highest form of intelligence and community becomes family.