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."