Smile like a baby emerged shortly after the birth of my daughter. It first came through as poetry — words rising up naturally, almost like a combustion of feeling and truth. Spoken word had always captivated me, not as something I set out to perform, but as a rhythm of honesty I recognised and loved to listen to.
In 2017, when I returned to my home country of Nigeria for the first time, something deep within me ignited. The music, the movement of everyday life, the colours, the sounds, the long journeys and daily rhythm of the streets — it all stirred something ancient and alive in my heART. That same current of expression resurfaced again after becoming a mother and continues to unfold through my work today.
For me, spoken word is not separate from movement or music — it is part of the same living ribbon of expression. Rhythm, breath, body and language move together. Sometimes the words lead, sometimes the body speaks first, but all of it comes from the same place: the heART.
Through poetry, spoken word, and embodied workshops, I create spaces where both children and adults can reconnect with their natural rhythm and inner knowing. My work invites people to listen, move, feel and remember the joy and truth that already lives within them.
This expression continues to evolve through performances, workshops, commissions, recordings and collaborative projects with musicians, dancers and other artists. Whether through the spoken word, movement, or shared rhythm, the intention is always the same — to awaken presence, joy and connection through the simple power of being fully alive.
Featured Article
My work was featured in Brand You Magazine – Edition 33 (October/November 2024). The article, titled From the heART: A Journey in Movement and Expression, shares reflections on my creative path and includes a spoken word poetry piece called Rhythms of the heART.
Thank you to Olivia Marocco for the feature.
Repost @TinyIdeasOxford
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We’re thrilled to launch our first commission of 2023! India SHINE is a free audio movement yoga story created by multi-talented dancer and writer Celestina Banjo and inspired by her daughter. Listen to it on our website here: http://bitly.ws/Egzw #tinyideas2024.
India Shine
Yoga Movement Story
Medicinal Movement & Spoken Word
A space for release, expression and reconnection.
Rhythm lives in everything — in word, rhyme, music and movement. In these spoken word and medicinal movement workshops, participants are invited to explore that natural rhythm through voice, breath and the body.
Through guided movement, poetry and sound, the sessions create a gentle environment where people can express themselves, reconnect with their inner rhythm, and experience the grounding power of collective creativity. The work is accessible to people of all ages and abilities, encouraging presence, playfulness and authentic expression.
These workshops have been shared with a wide range of communities, including sessions with dementia-friendly groups, where the combination of rhythm, voice and movement has been received with warmth and openness.
You can read more about my workshop in the article below. Spoken Word Poetry
If you would like to book a session or find out more, please get in touch at: email: Settheheartfree@smilelikeababy.be
Testimonials
"I recently attended one of Celestina's workshops, not knowing what to expect. As a wheelchair user, there is always a fear about not being included in everything. However I had nothing to fear. Celestina's enthusiasm for dance and movement was obvious to see from the moment we started. High energy and so much fun and a real opportunity to see that anything is possible. Being given complete freedom to dance and also write about whatever is in your heart is an amazing feeling and one of the most uplifting experiences I've had.
—Tracy, Participant, Medicinal Movement & Spoken Word Workshop
"Thank you soooo much for joining us Celestina for a poetry workshop led by you.
Celestina was fabulous and everyone loved her and the workshop. 26 people attended, people with dementia and their carers, as well as a handful of helpers who also enjoyed the fun afternoon.
Celestina began by using music and dance to help people to open up and give free expression of themselves through movement, which then transferred to the poetry writing.
Their poetry made us both smile and weep as people expressed themselves freely.
Even those with dementia who speak the least, managed to write something and move us all deeply.
Celestina was gentle, fun, colourful, encouraging and so open.
It really was a great afternoon and what Celestina did was perfect. Her whole approach brilliant.
I can't thank her enough.
Obviously those of us who work with that group all the time know the people extremely well and were very moved by the responses made in dance and written word.
Thank you for all you do and are.
Every blessing in your life and work."
—Revd Lynn Hurry, Vicar & Leader of Friends & Memories Group for people with Dementia and their Carers
"It was so great to meet you and be invited into a very safe inspiring creative space. You have a tremendous gift God bless you and all you do."
—Julia Sheffield, Participant, Friends & Memories Group for people with Dementia and their Carers
"Thank you so much for the session on Friday. It was superb having you come along to the dementia group. All of us there really got something out of it I loved it."
—Revd Becs Challis, Assistant Curate, Friends & Memories Group for people with Dementia and their Carers
"Thoroughly enjoyed today, thank you so much. Also the exercise done me good. Made me stop and think about letting myself go and expressing myself in any way I choose. It doesn't matter how, don't be afraid or embarrassed, once again it just does not matter."
—Margaret, Participant, Friends & Memories Group for people with Dementia and their Carers
