Nkechi Deanna Njaka (she/her) is a neuroscientist, choreographer, mindfulness expert, and leading meditation guide whose interdisciplinary work intersects science, art, and contemplative practice. She is the founder of The Compass, NDN lifestyle studio and the co-founder of DreamWell, a sleep app. A 2021 Kennedy Center Artist in Residence and Garrison Institute Fellow, she also serves as an Advisor to Chorus Meditation, is faculty at Esalen, and is a lululemon ambassador for her leadership in mindfulness.
As a practice-based researcher, Nkechi has devoted her life to investigating the significant relationship between the brain and body, understanding their integrated relationship as a pathway to healing, transformation and liberation. She studied neuroscience and dance at Scripps College and completed an MSc in Neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Practice-based Research at Transart/Liverpool John Moore’s University.
When not publicly speaking on mindfulness, or guiding people in embodied presence or somatic liberation, Nkechi is the Director of the Creative Research Lab ARTIFACT, co-host of the podcast Dating White and the other 1/2 of the music and mindfulness project RESONANCE.
