Tatyana Ali Says Dancing with the Stars Rehearsals Unlocked Stored Trauma: "Movement Is Healing"

Tatyana Ali came into Dancing with the Stars ready to learn choreography and chase a mirrorball. What she didn’t expect was a backbend in rehearsal that unlocked something deep inside her. The actress says the moment brought her to tears, and her partner Jan Ravnik reassured her that the emotional reaction was completely normal. What could have stayed a private moment instead became a message for women everywhere.

Ali, who has been vocal about maternal health and welcomed her first child, now describes the whole experience as“empowering and healing.”She says movement is empowering, movement is healing, and women and mothers should embrace any way they can move without denying themselves that gift. Julianne Hough and Harry Shum Jr. both praised her for sharing her story so openly on the show.

Her journey is a reminder that our bodies hold onto more than we realize, and sometimes a simple dance move can release what words cannot. Whether you’re a trained dancer or someone who just sways in the kitchen, movement counts.

What’s one way you like to move your body when you need a reset?