Rooted in body, mind, spirit and emotions!

"To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul."  Simone Weil 

This week in my Nia classes we will focus on the art of Rooting.  Stepping in to the powerful music of Sacred Spirits:  Chants and Dances of the Native Americans, we will discover what Rooting (physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually) means to you and how it manifests in your dance.  In movement as in life, Rooting, the act of grounding, provides for an efficient exchange of energy.  Rooting is a great way to get balanced and be present in the moment.  It helps us to deeply feel and sense what is going on inside and around us, as well as offering the release of tension, and harnessing strength, healing and expression.  As we Dance Through Life we can imagine we have roots growing out from the bottoms of our feet connecting us to the earth, that flow as we move, and at the same time they keep us grounded. We can focus on our breath and root in our body, calm our mind and emotions, and set our spirit free!  

Rooted in body, mind, spirit and emotions...

My classes this week:

Monday at 8:00 am (subbing for Jan) and 5:30 pm

Tuesday at 5:30 pm (subbing for Jan)

Thursday at 5:30 pm

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

We Are All Connected - Inisde and Outside!!

Good morning dancing friends!

“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”
― Brené Brown

Connections.  I always find it fascinating and wonderful how I discover connections.  Yesterday I was at a friend's mother's funeral, and found through conversations, new connections that I did not know existed.  It reminded me of all the wonderful connections I have in my life through Nia, friends, family, and work, connected together through an endless, expansive fabric.  Just how everything INSIDE our body is connected through a continuous network of connective tissue, we are connected OUTSIDE to each other through the connective tissue of our thoughts, words, and actions.  The connective tissue of life is huge and love is the connecting force!!

INSIDE our body, connective tissue is a substance that transmits information and connects everything. It comes in many forms. Tendons and ligaments are connective tissue; cartilage is connective tissue; muscles are wrapped in connective tissue. Even blood is a connective tissue.  Also known as fascia, connective tissue is an amazing honeycomb substance that seems to dissolve everything into oneness. It’s found throughout the entire body and functions as a body-wide signaling system, making it possible for all body parts to stay in constant communication. 

Connective tissue is meant to be movable, fluid, and sensual.  AHHH!!  Nia provides us a way to move and keep our connective tissue healthy through the dance of loosening and tightening, sound and silence, mobility and agility, strength and flexibility, opening and surrendering, volume up/down, fast and slow, hard and soft, masculine and feminine, Martial Arts, Dance Arts and Healing Arts.  Every thing you do affects your connective tissue, even your emotions! 

Join me this week in class as we expand our connections INSIDE and OUTSIDE.  Nia is a beautiful fabric of connective tissue that weaves and dances, connecting bodies, lives and people together.  See you on the dance floor!

My classes this week:

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

I will also be holding a MELT workshop on Sunday, Sept. 13.  MELT Method® (MELT) is a self-treatment technique that helps people get out and stay out of chronic pain in just ten minutes a day.  MELT is a simple self-treatment technique that that works by re-balancing your nervous system and re-hydrating your connective tissue, which is all around your muscles and joints.  It is going to be a great workshop.   Email me t

​o sign up!

Love & Light,
Joanie Brooks,

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