Thursday, April 12, 2012

Our beautiful shoulder girdle...a halo of light!!

Easter morning I reached for the Nia routine Infinity.  This routine was created about 10 years ago, uses the eclectic and ambient music of Nahoo, and invites us to be with our shoulder girdle.  Our shoulder girdle is made up of three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone) as well as associated muscles, ligaments and tendons. Visualize your shoulder girdle as a halo of light that supports the vertical alignment of your head, and is in harmony and balance with the halo at the crown of your head and the halo that illuminates your pelvis.  Your scapula or shoulder blades are shaped like wings at the back of your shoulder and helps to distribute the movement of your arms and diminish stress in the shoulder joint.  Your clavicle is an S shaped bone and is the only bone that lies horizontally in your body.  You have 2!  They allow horizontal flow and alignment that is necessary for efficient ease and power of your arms.  It receives its name from the Latin word clavicula ("little key") because the bone rotates along its axis like a key when your shoulder is drawn away from your body, and it is roughly the same shape as a key for a Roman door lock. Cool!!  I love my clavicles!  

And our Humerous bone…well it is the longest and largest bone of your upper extremity and at the top, it has rounded head that moves inside the shoulder joint.

Our shoulder girdle is meant to be free. When our shoulder girdle is free, our whole body is more relaxed and we can actually breath deeper.  One of the best ways to condition your shoulder girdle is to use Palm Directions (one of our 52 moves).  Take your right hand and place it on your left shoulder girdle.  Rotate your palms to heaven and earth several times.  Did you sense the natural rotation and mobility?  Now move your right hand to your clavicle, and touch your clavicle between your thumb and desire finger.  Move your left hand up with palm facing to heaven, and then back down, with Palm to earth.  Did you sense the subtle rotational yet stable movement of your clavicle allowing your arm to move effortlessly and freely?  Awesome!

So let’s dance this week and give thanks to our beautiful shoulder girdle.  And through out the week, take time to give yourself a big hug and sense your wings.  They are there giving you flight every day…see you in class!!

My classes this week:
Monday (today!) and Thursday at 5:30 pm,
Saturday at 9:30 am and Sunday at 4:00 pm
all at The Synergy Studio


Have you decided yet???!!!  Join me in Mexico for a Nia retreat (or Nia intensive) June 16th.  It is going to be fun...fun...fun....Watch this video...!!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FftBCuv7HqE
We want you there with us!

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"

Sunday, April 1, 2012

In Dance, Gratitude and Transformation!

Hello Friends!!!
Ahh, want a wonderful and magnificent day!  As I am sitting here getting ready for my 4:00 pm Nia class today, I am reminded of the power of dance to move me through life.  Yesterday I ran into a friend I have not seen in several weeks, and she shared with me her life happenings and why she has not been to class lately.  With a compassionate heart I shared with her, that no matter what, I hope she just moved and danced.  Anywhere, anytime. 


We are made to dance and move...our body really demands it!  I became aware of the power of movement when I was in college at UT in Austin.  At that time of my life I had lost someone very dear to me, and with the pressures of school, I became depressed, frozen at times, to do my homework or go to class.  Then I discovered running and movement, and this changed my outlook on life..in particular at that moment in time.  As soon as I felt the depression coming, I put on my shoes and headed outdoors.  Here I found peace and the momentum to move forward. 

My practice of Nia has expanded this awareness.  One of Nia's most important principles is Awareness and Dancing through Life.  In Nia, dancing and moving is not just something we do when the music comes on.  It is any movement our body makes.  Anytime, anywhere. 
Our lives are bigger and far more important than what we do in a 1 hour class.  It is about turning the movements of life into a dance, sensing the stillness and meditation in our life, and finding beauty and inspiration in every part of the world around us.  This is the dance of life, and a way to potentially find meaning and a sense of peace.  It invites me to be in gratitude and love. This practice brings me present in the moment, and transforms how I perceive the moment.   All by choosing to be alive in my body!  In Dance, Gratitude and Transformation!

Join me in this special week of
Dance, Gratitude and Transformation.  In class and outside of class!

My classes this week:
Sunday (today!) at 4:00 pm
Monday, Tuesday (subbing for Jan) and Thursday at 5:30 pm and

Saturday at 9:30 am
all at The Synergy Studio.  



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