Nia Playground

Pleasure is the eventual trophy for obeying our instincts of survival; pleasure makes life valuable and worth sustaining. The varied forms in which it has been discovered and created by humanity cannot be fully considered except in the biologic adaptability and understanding of the fabric of the human body. --Sherman B. Nuland, The Wisdom of the Body

“When I’m taking my last breath, and I want to look at how I used up the best of myself. How much did I sweat, push, pull, rip, fall, hit, crash, explode? My dream is to be so well used that in my last half second, I burst into dust.” Elizabeth Streb (Choreographer)

This week our focus was the Nia 52 moves with the intent to bring dance to the language of Nia! Moving to the amazingly beautiful Native American music of the routine Soul. It really did touch my soul and send my spirit flying. Off the dance floor, walking down the street or cooking dinner.....integrate the 52 moves into everyday..."Let the 52 moves be fused to my cells"....walk with the heel lead, undulate your spine to massage muscles in your back connected to your rib cage. These moves are simple and amazing! Restorative, conditioning and self healing. I Love Nia for the empowering energy it infuses into the lives of those who choose to be brave, "color outside the lines" and dance!

Nia has 7 cycles to each Nia class. The first being the focus and Intent. The second being: Stepping in.
My focus in class this week will be Stepping in. The intent: leaving all distractions behind.
This can apply whether you are in a Nia class, at work or home. Whatever you are preparing to do: talk to a colleague, spend time with a friend, dance Nia, etc. you can STEP IN.
Just take two steps in to the moment...be present to sensation.....shed the distractions..quiet the inner chatter. Give yourself a gift and unplug....take the time to live in Sensation by inhaling deeply, leading with the heel of your foot and step into the moment.

I can assure you that the journey of following your deepest desires- of letting your heart lead you-- is worth everything. It's the key to health, vibrancy, and joy today and at every age.
Dr. Christiane Northrup

Torrance, CA 90505
forgot to add the city!

Tomorrow morning, 10-11 AM. Nia at the Dance Center 24422 Hawthorne Blvd.

This week let yourself go as a child does when music is playing -- FreeDance! No choreography...no boundaries...no self-criticism.
Our FOCUS: FreeDance! Wherever you are..in the kitchen..the grocery store! drop the boundaries that hold you back.
Our INTENT: JOY of movement.
Stand up, step forward, let go of the drama. Live Happy

On with the Dance! Let JOY be unconfined; No sleep till morn, when Youth and Pleasure meet to chase the glowing hours with flying feet.

~George Gordon, Lord Byron, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage

Hello EveryBody!
This week's FOCUS: YIN & YANG.
The INTENT: to be aware and play with opposite energies.
YIN: graceful, feminine, soft. YANG: powerful, masculine, sharp.
Be bold, be brave.....embrace and celebrate these two energies that live within you. All you need to do is tap into SENSATION!

Nia sisters after guiding an outstanding Nia Jam New Year's Day 2014!! Best way ever to begin the New Year. Grateful and blessed to have the energy of these Nia women in my life!

FOCUS: Awareness of the Head

The head is one of the three body weights, which include: pelvis, chest & head. It sits on the top, resting over the shoulder girdle, above the chest and pelvis. It is the heaviest of the three weights, weighing approximately 8 to 10 pounds.

In Nia, we perceive the head as the place where energy is directed; the chest where energy is exchanged; and the pelvis where energy is contained.

The head is also where we gain knowledge through our senses; using our ears to hear, our mouth to taste and nourish, our nose to breathe, eyes looking to see and hands touching to feel.

In order to maintain a healthy head: one that can freely turn, move up & down, while integrating itself with the whole body without hesitation .... we use the head & eye movements of the 52 moves of Nia .. the most natural way to move your body is by using your eyes!

Lead with the eyes; your head and whole body follows. The act of looking directly through our eyes connects our energy body to the physical world around us, deeply increasing what we feel and sense.
Play with allowing your eyes to follow your hands while they move up and down the front of your body: imagine juggling balls. Notice how that releases tension in the neck and shoulders.

Integrating the head into movement can be disconcerting at first. Take it slow and easy in order to feel safe in your head movements which will allow your brain and body to learn while relaxed ... it will help you have more fun in the Nia playground!

INTENT: Imagine a feather lengthening along the back of your neck through the crown of your head ... now tickle the clouds as you move your head (like a bobble head doll) while elongating and lifting your spine upward.