Come FLY With Me!!

Are you ready to FLY?!  Yesterday Adelle and I held a Nia routine immersion for the new Nia routine FLY!  We had great fun as 8 teachers came together to dance, share, laugh and learn!!  Today everyBody can learn the basic moves of this FUNtastic routine in a Learn the Move Playshop at 2:30. The Playshop also includes the fabulous music CD and the 4:00 pm Nia class. Click on this link and pre-register under workshops:   The Synergy Studio.  Let's FLY!!

The focus of FLY is the 5 Fitness Sensations of Nia:  Flexibility, Agility, Mobility, Strength and Stability (FAMSS).  Yummy!!  There are many benefits in developing body awareness of the 5 sensations of flexibility, agility, mobility, strength, and stability in your workout and in your life.  Each unique sensation is necessary for keeping your body physically fit and energetically balanced.  Integrating all 5 sensations in your dance keeps muscles relaxed, highly charged and ready for action over longer periods of time.  Your muscles can work with greater efficiency when they are allowed to move and rest as they go from one sensation to another.  

FLEXIBILITY is sensed as energy moving out.  It is a feeling of releasing power. Flexibility feels like a warm lengthening along the bone that stretches the belly of the muscle. Flexibility relaxes and never tenses the body.  Sense this…Stretch your arms out and reach for the stars.   The sensation that you feel is the sensation of flexibility!

AGILITY is sensed as energy starting and stopping.  It is a feeling of pulling and pushing. Agility feels like a playful tug-of-war action, changing; stop-now GO.  Sense this...Act as if you are reaching out and catching a fire fly, then another and another.  The sensation you feel is the sensation of agility!

MOBILITY is sensed as energy in constant movement, a continuous energy flow in a wide range of motion – a constant and varying excitation of the nerves around the joints, engaging the muscles, bones and joints.
Sense this… Move all 10 fingers simultaneously and act as if you are tickling someone.  The sensation you feel is the sensation of mobility!

STRENGTH is sensed as energy moving inward, like squeezing or packing energy against the bone.  It feels like a warm power moving along and into the bones.  Sense this… Clench your fist softly and draw power into your body through your fists and arms.   The sensation you feel is the sensation of strength!  YES!!

STABILITY is sensed as energy moving from the center out in all directions.  It is the feeling of harmony and peace, combined with readiness for action.   Sense this… Balance on one leg, and in slow motion, move your free leg and both arms. Stability is what keeps you from falling, even as you move and dance through life.
And as with everything we do in a Nia class, the benefits extend to our daily life.  A Flexible mind that allows us to be open to all the possibilities the world has for us...take us out of our norm of doing things.  Agility gifts us with the ability to move through the starts and stops of life, changes that come to us, with grace and ease.  Mobility allows us to flow and blend with our day and feel excited about life.  Strength gifts us with personal power to say YES and NO, and to believe in who we are.  And Stability keeps us connected to heaven above and earth below, giving us the sensation we are Universally supported in our own unique Dance of Life.  FAMSS!!!
So let's train our body's to activate all 5 sensations and see what happens!  See you on the dance floor!  I will be teaching FLY all week.
 
My Nia classes this week:
Sunday (Today) at 4:00 pm,
Monday and Thursday at 5:30 pm
and Saturday at 9:30 am
all at http://www.thesynergystudio.com.

Considering taking the Nia White belt intensive?  Whether you want to teach Nia or take Nia for personal growth, it is an amazing experience!!!   Check out my trainings at: www.nianow.com/joanie and click on "My Trainings".

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Go to my link & get 40% off of Nia clothing, music & much more!!  Look for the 40% off purple button:  http://nianow.com/joanie
Love & Light,
Joanie Brooks,  Nia Training Faculty, Nia White Belt Trainer, Nia 5 Stages of Healing Facilitator, Journey Dance Guide, Mindful Change Coach and Laughter Yoga Leaderhttp://www.joaniebrooks.me/


Nia - Somatic Education for EveryBody.  Nia is an expressive movement form & lifestyle practice that uses The Body's Way to achieve physical, mental, emotional & spiritual fitness & well-being."   

75 trillion cells in your body…Play with them all with Nia!

Heart's On Fire - A week of dancing to the Rhythm of your Heart!

 

"Never extinguish the fire in your heart that sparks your desire for success and rekindles your hopes and dreams, no matter how small the flame gets or how hard the wind blows."  Vince Lo

Good Beautiful Morning EveryBody!

I am so excited to be back in my community with all you lovely dancers.  Adelle and I just returned from Ventura, California where we graduated 6 new Nia White Belts!  I love this work, and every time I share the Nia white belt my heart lets me know this is what I am meant to do in this world.  My life purpose is to Awaken the Human Healing Potential, and I am blessed to witness my purpose in action during this transformational week.  My Heart is on Fire!! 

My heart, your heart, our heart is about love - unconditional love.  Your heart has its own unique rhythm and it is through your heart you open and connect to harmony and peace.  Your heart wants to dance and be free...dancing blood!  Your heart speaks to you...can you hear the gentle whisper?  It speaks to your about desires and dreams, about joy, passion, compassion and bliss.  Place your hands on your heart and close your eyes.  Breathe and sense your heart beat, sense the flow inside, and open to the voice inside. 

This week we will open and connect with our heart, dance our heart, and ignite the fire inside - Heart's on Fire!!  See you on the dance floor!!!    

Join me in Nia and JourneyDance classes this week:
Sunday (today) at 4:00 pm,Monday, Thursday and Friday (subbing for Adelle) Nia at 5:30 pm,
Saturday Nia at 9:30 am,
and Saturday Special JourneyDance class at 4:00 pm with Jan Jarboe Russell.

Get ready for Mother's Day and join me at 10:00 am for JourneyDance and 4:00 pm for Nia class.  A special day of love!!!
All classes at The Synergy Studio. 

Considering taking the Nia White belt intensive?  Whether you want to teach Nia or take Nia for personal growth, it is an amazing experience!!!   Check out my trainings at: www.nianow.com/joanie and click on "My Trainings".

Go to my link & get 40% off of Nia clothing, music & much more!!  Look for the 40% off purple button:  http://nianow.com/joanie
Love & Light,
Joanie Brooks,  Nia Training Faculty, Nia White Belt Trainer, Nia 5 Stages of Healing Facilitator, Journey Dance Guide, Mindful Change Coachhttp://www.joaniebrooks.me/



Nia - Somatic Education for EveryBody.  Nia is an expressive movement form & lifestyle practice that uses The Body's Way to achieve physical, mental, emotional & spiritual fitness & well-being."   

75 trillion cells in your body…Play with them all with Nia!

Courageous Heart!!!

Hello EveryBody!

What does a courageous heart mean to you?  Did you know the word courage comes from the Latin root word for heart?  I like that...heart heart !!   A courageous heart means many things to me and one meaning dear to my heart (HA HA) is the ability to be guided by my heart and boldly break through fear.  It is not easy for me..I have to work at it and take time to really release.  One of the ways I release is through dance, through movement of my body: freely, wildly, softly, uninhibited.  Moving freely is a wonderful way for me to connect to my heart and to my spiritual self.  It brings me present to my body, connects me to the NOW, opens pathways of possibilities and creativity, and invites change into my life.  And change my friends, no matter how big or small, requires a courageous heart!!

Practicing Nia takes courage.  Why?  Because every time we step into a Nia class, workshop, intensive or our own personal Nia practice we are invited to become intimate with our body, mind and spirit.  We are invited to move, explore and create.  We are invited to become empowered and take wellness and healing into our own hands.  We are invited to say YES and NO.  We are invited to listen to our heart and discover our purpose, to become Sacred Athletes.  We are invited to CHANGE.  So yes you are courageous and isn't it wonderful!! 

I'm getting ready to go to Ventura, California in 2 weeks with Adelle where we will be delivering the Nia White Belt Intensive. In the Nia White Belt we explore 13 principles that guide you to place attention on YOU, your body and on your physical sensation.  As I prepare for this unique and transformational week, I will be playing and dancing with the 13 principles of the Nia White belt.  I hope it will enCOURAGE you to explore the possibility of taking the Nia white belt.  Will it change you?  Does it take a courageous heart?  You better believe it!!!  

Change can be beautiful...I know because I've seen the changes in you and you are beautiful!
See you on the dance floor.
My Nia classes this week are:  Monday and Thursday at 5:30 pm, Saturday at 9:30 am, and 4:00 pm (team teaching with Adelle and Charlotte Jorgensen) all at The Synergy Studio. 

On Sunday, April 21st, you are invited to "The Magic 13 Playshop - A taste of the Nia White Belt Intensive".  Join Adelle, Charlotte Joregensen and me at 2:30 as we dance and taste the 13 principles of the Nia White belt, and discuss upcoming 2013 intensives, and answer ANY questions you may have.  Following this playshop, is the 4:00 pm Nia class.  It will be free if you attend this tasteful playshop!!! 

Considering taking the Nia White belt intensive?  Whether you want to teach Nia or take Nia for personal growth, it is an amazing experience!!!   Check out my trainings at: www.nianow.com/joanie and click on "My Trainings".

Love & Light,
Joanie Brooks,  Nia Training Faculty, Nia White Belt Trainer, Nia 5 Stages of Healing Facilitator, Journey Dance Guide, Mindful Change Coachhttp://www.joaniebrooks.me/


Nia - Somatic Education for EveryBody.  Nia is an expressive movement form & lifestyle practice that uses The Body's Way to achieve physical, mental, emotional & spiritual fitness & well-being."   

75 trillion cells in your body…Play with them all with Nia!

Dancing Our Belly!

Usually this time of year there is a lot of focus in magazines and online newsletters on our abdominal muscles, our belly, and how to get a firm and sexy belly.  Most of what I read and see asks me to do some sort of "crunching".  I do not like crunches!!!  Let me dance my belly any day!  In Nia, we move and dance our whole body (called systemic movement), and by doing this we auto-Magically condition our abdominal muscles.  We expand and contract, fold and unfold our body, inhale and exhale, and use our sound...all bringing to life our abdominal muscles.   We also dance our pelvis, chest and head to condition our whole abdominal area, the front, sides and back of our body, from the top of our waist all the way down to the bottom of our pelvis.  Do this with me:  Stand in a soft A-Stance, place your hands on your belly or your waist and circle your pelvis.  Do you feel the engagement of all the muscles?  Now place your hands on the top of your head and do hip bumps.  WHOA!  Did you feel your core muscles stimulated?  Last thing.  Place your hands back on your belly and smell the moment, and sense your belly swelling, expanding.  Now exhale with a powerful sound of NO!!!  WOW - That feels invigorating!!

When you belly dance you also help to increase lower back strength and flexibility, and tone the  muscles around the lumbar spine.  This in return not only conditions, but also helps improve posture and digestion.  I could go on and on how you can dance and condition your belly...I rather just have you come dance with me this week!!!

Considering taking the Nia White belt intensive?  Whether you want to teach Nia or take Nia for personal growth, it is an amazing experience!!!   Check out my trainings at: www.nianow.com/joanie and click on "My Trainings".
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Go to my link & get 40% off of Nia clothing, music & much more!!  Look for the 40% off purple button:  http://nianow.com/joanie
Love & Light,
Joanie Brooks,  Nia Training Faculty, Nia White Belt Trainer, Nia 5 Stages of Healing Facilitator, Journey Dance Guide, Mindful Change Coachhttp://www.joaniebrooks.me/


 Nia - Somatic Education for EveryBody.  Nia is an expressive movement form & lifestyle practice that uses The Body's Way to achieve physical, mental, emotional & spiritual fitness & well-being."   

75 trillion cells in your body…Play with them all with Nia!

Dancing Through Life Sensing our Wings!!

Good morning my Dancing Friends!
 

What a magical week of dancing and focusing on New Beginnings.  I loved how this focus "followed me" all week as it opened pathways and created sparks for others to dance and awaken their spirit to adventure; to the unknown.  Thank you to many of you who shared your new beginnings with me, and I wish you joy as you move toward your passion and dreams.  Let's all take flight this week with our new beginnings as we focus on our shoulder blades, our scapulae, our "Wings"! 

Scapula, which means blade in Latin, are 2 flat triangular bones at the back of our body that lie over the posterior surface of our rib cage. I love the the sensation of my shoulder blades as they slide and glide, and wing out, as I my move my arms up and down and around. Do this with me. Place your arms to the side of your body, palms facing out, and raise your arms up towards the sky.  Did you sense how your shoulder blades "wing" out? Now rotate your palms down and bring your arms back down towards the side of your body.  Did you sense the closing of your wings?  It's amazing - feels like I'm flying!  In order for our wings to fly freely, the muscles that support our wings (our rhomboids, trapezius, and and levator scapulae) like to be in a relaxed and ready state we call dynamic tension.  In Nia, we condition these muscles through creative arm and hand expressions, changing the direction of our palms, changing the angle of our upper arm bones, and by reaching out and touching life!

Let's fly this week!  As you dance through life and step out into a new week and your new beginnings, visualize your shoulder blades as 2 hands that lie on your back supporting you, giving you strength and confidence throughout your day.   Listen for voice that whispers "I've got your back; go ahead and take flight!"  See you in class!

My classes this week:
Monday (today) and Thursday at 5:30 pm
and Saturday at 9:30 am all at The Synergy Studio.


Learn more and go deeper into the connection with you body and your life by taking a Nia White Belt Intensive.    Sign up at http://www.nianow.com/joanie. 


Go to my link & get 40% off of Nia clothing, music & much more!!  Look for the 40% off purple button:  http://nianow.com/joanie


Love & Light,
Joanie Brooks,  Nia Training Faculty, Nia White Belt Trainer,
Nia 5 Stages of Healing Facilitator, Journey Dance Guide, Mindful Change Coach
http://www.joaniebrooks.me/


 Nia - Somatic Education for EveryBody.  Nia is an expressive movement form & lifestyle practice that uses The Body's Way to achieve physical, mental, emotional & spiritual fitness & well-being."   

New Beginnings!!!

Hello My Dancing Friends!
 

 

New beginnings...Do you know the average adult when relaxed has about 12- 20 breaths a minute?  12 - 20 new beginnings every minute!  Everytime we breathe, we are bringing in new life force energy into our body and facilitating our body's regenration process...new beginnings.  You can google and find tons of information how our amazing body renews itself:  Our tastebuds renew every 10 days, our skin and hair regenerates every 30 days, our cells every 7 years, our bones 10 years; the list goes on and on.  New beginnings occuring in our body right NOW!

Every Nia class feels like a new beginning to me.  The dance is always new, rich, and deep, and guides me to break away from my habits and venture towards something new.  This dance awakens my mind and just as my body renews, so does my spirit.  My spirit, soaring to a new beginning.  This week is special to me and it calls for new beginnings. It is following me, and I am ready...I hope you are and will join me in dance. 
 
My Nia Classes this week:

Thursday at 5:30 pm, Saturday at 9:30 am and Sunday at 4:00 pm all at The Synergy Studio.

EnJOY this poem from John O'Donohue:

For a New Beginning
In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life's desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

Learn more and go deeper into the connection with you body and your life by taking a Nia White Belt Intensive.   
Sign up at http://www.nianow.com/joanie. 


Love & Light,
Joanie Brooks,  Nia Training Faculty, Nia White Belt Trainer,
Nia 5 Stages of Healing Facilitator, Journey Dance Guide, Mindful Change Coach
http://www.joaniebrooks.me/

 Nia - Somatic Education for EveryBody.  Nia is an expressive movement form & lifestyle practice that uses The Body's Way to achieve physical, mental, emotional & spiritual fitness & well-being."   

75 trillion cells in your body…Play with them all with Nia!

The Wisdom of Our Body - Ligaments and Tendons!

"There is deep wisdom within our very flesh, if we can only come to our senses and feel it."

Elizabeth A. Behnke
"Through Movement We Find Health." 
Nia

Good Morning My Friends!
Through the healing power of dance and self awareness, you can activate the wisdom of your body and develop the craft of sensing body comfort and balance beneath your skin.  Through this practice you can adjust your moves, create better ways to function, and consciously make changes with intent, focus and directed energy.   This leads to  a healthy relationship between you and your body, leading to self-healing and fitness. 

I believe people in this world are becoming more conscious about their body and the healing potential of movement.  My life purpose it to awaken the human healing potential, and one of the ways I do this is through Nia.  Nia has taught me to trust my body wisdom, and to listen to her sensations.   When we acknowledge the wisdom of our body, we start to awaken our healing potential.  The wisdom of our body are primarily voices (sensations) of pleasure and pain. The sensation of pain is good!  It 's our body's way of giving us information so we can make choices, and hopefully our choices bring our body back into peace and harmony.    As a sensation scientist, we are invited to become more body literate and skilled at interpreting the sensation messages we receive form our body. By listening and seeking out what feels good and pleasurable to our body, and by avoiding things that do not feel good, we can make decisions to improve our heath and avoid injury.  I find my body and how she is designed fascinating, and I am continuously learning about her!!!  So let's get into our Body!   

This week we will explore our ligaments and tendons.  Our ligaments and tendons are made of dense, fibrous tissues and are designed to provide us with stability and a safe range of motion. Ligaments connect bones to bones, and tendons connect muscles to bones.  Ligaments and tendons tell us when our movement potential has been reached and also tells us when it’s time to stop certain movements.   Our ability to respond to these sensory messages can mean the difference between dancing into bliss or being sidelined by injury.

Right now, let your arms lay at the sides of your body and then gradually bring them behind as if you were getting ready to fly.   Keep reaching behind and sense when you body says "Enough".  Now go a little bit further until your body says "STOP", you have gone to far!  Our bodies are incredible and are always speaking to us via sensation...all we need to do is listen. 

So this week in class let's dance and play with the sensation of ENOUGH....that place where your body feels pleasure and satisfaction, and celebrate the wisdom of our body.  When dancing through life, let's choose every opportunity to move and sense our body.  See you in class!! 

My Nia Classes this week:

Monday and Thursday at 5:30 pm, and Saturday at 9:30 am all at The Synergy Studio.

Learn more and go deeper into the connection with you body and your life by taking a Nia White Belt Intensive.    Sign up at http://www.nianow.com/joanie. 

Go to my link & get 40% off of Nia clothing, music & much more!!  Look for the 40% off purple button:  http://nianow.com/joanie

Love & Light,
Joanie Brooks,  Nia Training Faculty, Nia White Belt Trainer,
Nia 5 Stages of Healing Facilitator, Journey Dance Guide, Mindful Change Coach
http://www.joaniebrooks.me/


 Nia - Somatic Education for EveryBody.  Nia is an expressive movement form & lifestyle practice that uses The Body's Way to achieve physical, mental, emotional & spiritual fitness & well-being."   

75 trillion cells in your body…Play with them all with Nia!