Joanie Brooks...Step Into Your Greatness!: March 2015

Monday, March 30, 2015

Awareness - key to Transformation!!

Hello my dancing friends!

In Nia, Awareness is the art of paying attention to my body...slowing down and noticing, and inviting me to be in sensation every waking moment. Sensing pain, sensing pleasure, sensing self healing. When I am in awareness, I can awaken to my potential, explore all the possibilities and make decisions that are right for me. It is a relationship with my body, and is a technique for living a conscious life. Not until I am aware can I transform and change. This is why Nia is called a transformational practice. At the heart of Nia, is the invitation to live in our body and move towards love, joy and feeling good! The more you use body sensations and notice pain, love, comfort, discomfort, and joy, the more you can unlock your healing potential and start to transform your body. Awareness...principle 5 of the Nia White belt is a one word principle BUT it is HUGE in it's ability to transform.

This week we will focus on this magnificent principle as we dance to the Nia Routine called RISE, activating awareness in every single movement! Transforming our body, transforming our lives. The power of Nia is how her gifts start in my body and then transcend to my mind, emotions and spirit as I notice my thoughts, beliefs, feelings and habits, and open to possibilities of transformation. Using the wisdom of my body, mind, spirit and emotions, I live the path of a Sacred Athlete to reach my fullest potential. Transformation!

Oh and you will love the music - a compilation of sounds filled with sensuality and power!

My classes this week:

Monday (today!!) at 5:30pm

Thursday and Friday at 5:30 pm

Saturday at 9:30 am

and Sunday (yes Easter Sunday) at 4:00 pm

A Nia class can be like snorkeling on a beautiful reef - we enjoy being on the surface of the water, diving deep sometimes but only for brief moments. In the Nia White Belt Training we put on on full scuba diving gear and get to dive deep for longer periods of time in an extraordinarily beautiful and sensual world of music, movement and magic. If you enjoy Nia classes, you will LOVE the Nia White Belt Training. Check out my trainings HERE!

Love & Light,
Joanie Brooks,
http://www.joaniebrooks.com
Nia Training Faculty, Nia White Belt Trainer, Nia 1st Degree Black Belt
MELT Certified Hand & Foot Instructor
Yoga Teacher (certified in the YogaFit Warrior Program)
Journey Dance Facilitator Nia 5 Stages of Healing Facilitator
Mindful Change Coach
Laughter Yoga Leader

Monday, March 23, 2015

Dancing With Earth, Wind, Fire & Water - 4 Elements of Nature!

Hello Friends and Happy Spring!

This weather is fantastic and I'm already enjoying our magnificent wildflowers and new growth after our plentiful rain! This past week we have had a fun time dancing to the new Nia routine Dream with a focus on Agility, one of the 5 fitness sensations of Nia. This week we will expand the focus and add a bit of a twist, playing with the elements of earth, wind, fire and water as a way to tap into the 5 sensations and connect to the 4 elements of nature that are the basis of life itself.
Sensing the 5 Fitness Sensations of Nia: Flexibility, Agility, Mobility, Strength and Stability. We call them FAMSS!!
Earth: Sensation of stability, fullness, weight, weightlessness, core, support, balance, rooting, connection with self, feeling outside/inside edges, breath
Wind: Sensation of flexibility, bending, off balance, on balance, controlling, out of control, lifting, swirling, openness, lightness, being, being effected, blowing, filling spaces
Fire: Sensation of agility, strength, heat, precision, flames, smoldering, intent, intense, sharp, confidence
Water: Sensation of mobility, fluid, flowing, circular, no edges, no beginning, no ending, coolness, sensation of dripping, floating, creation, rejuvenation

From a spiritual practice, I invite you connect to these 4 elements and what their potential can represent:
Earth: Representing the grounding connection to our source, being here, NOW, in the moment, supported, yet moving.Wind: Representing the swirling power that moves and changes all things.
Water: Representing that which gives us the power to move forward and remain receptive to all that is around us.
Fire: Representing the passion to ignite self discovery, fueled by curiosity and change.
See you on the dance floor:
Monday and Thursday at 5:30 pm
Friday at 9:15 am (subbing for Jenn)
Saturday at 9:30
and Sunday at 4:00 pm at The Synergy Studio

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Magic of Music!!

“Every cell within our body is a sound resonator. It has the capability of responding to any other sound outside of the body. Every organ, in which cells of like vibration have gathered to form that organ, will respond as a group to particular sound vibrations, as will various emotional, mental and spiritual states of consciousness. The human body is a bio-electrical system.....strengthened or balanced through the use of sacred sound." Sacred Sounds by Ted Andrews.

I believe one of the most magical and healing skills I have learned from my Nia practice for over 20 years is Music - the language of Sound and Silence. Nia has taught me to listen to the details of music, not only through my ears, but through my whole body...organs, bones, muscles, cells, connective tissue...everything, is listening and responding. Music has the power to inspire, to relax, to excite, to make you sad, happy, chaotic, and allows us to transcend our imaginations and our dance. Music heals the body, mind and soul. The magic of music has the ability to transform people’s lives, and create magic. That is what we call the experience in Nia. Music, Movement and Magic. Listen to the music, and allow the music to seduce you to move in magical ways!

Join me in Nia class this week as we create magic!

Thursday at 5:30 pm

Saturday at 9:30 am

Sunday at 4:00 pm and

Monday at 5:30 pm all at The Synergy Studio.

Also join me in 2 workshops coming your way!

1. Melt Hand & Foot Introduction Workshop, Sunday March 8 from 2-3:00 pm (Bring your family!!))

The MELT Hand & Foot method uses a series of small balls to draw fluids into the tissues that surround every muscle, bone, joint, and organ in the body. The first time you MELT, you will feel a difference in reduced pain and tension held in your hands, feet, neck, and low back brought on by everyday stress, overuse and aging. MELT-ing will bring continued relief from aliments like arthritis, bunions, plantar fasciitis, joint problems, sleep issues and carpal tunnel syndrome. Even if you do not have these issues, MELT will optimize your life and help you to perform all the things you love to do!! The really cool thing about MELT is it is a simple self-treatment method you can do in only 10 minutes a day!! Need something that is healthful and fun to do with kids on spring break? The Melt method is good for every age. And wonderful for your kids that are in school or extracurricular sports! Keep your connective tissue healthy!

The cost is $25 when you pre-register, $30 at the door. Register HERE!!

2. Mark your calendars and join Adelle Brewer and Joanie Brooks for the Dream Nia routine weekend Immersion.

Dream is one of the new Nia routines released this year. The focus is "agility," engaging the neuro-muscular actions of starting and stopping, playfully challenging balance, and holistically improving the reflexive and voluntary actions of the nervous system. The routine was created by Debbie Rosas, co-founder of Nia. You will love it! Here is the schedule:
Friday, March 13, Nia Dream class at 5:30 pm
Saturday, March 14, Nia Dream class at 9:30 am
Sunday, March 15, Nia Dream Learn the Moves playshop at 2:30, followed by Nia Dream class at 4:00. Cost for playshop on Sunday is $30 which includes Dream music and Nia class at 4:00. Register HERE!!