Form and Freedom...Express the Spirit of you Nia Dance!

Happy 4th of July Week my Nia Friends!

Blessings to everyBody as we step into the 4th of July celebration week.  This week I am bringing back my Nia routine, called El Momento!  The focus of the routine is Form and Freedom with the intent for you to uniquely & creatively express the spirit of your Nia dance (Freedom) in every movement (Form). This routine explores the forms of Nia (Movement forms, 52 moves, 7 cycles, music, choreography) as an inspiration into Freedom and expression of your spirit, your uniqueness, your creativity.  The simple patterns, steps, stances and kicks allow you to develop your skill of the movements, and by connecting to body sensations and the music, the free expression of your body will unfold bringing Freedom & creativity to your movements. 

Your Body’s Way in the Now, the Moment, El Momento.   Use form to find freedom and use freedom to transcend your form.  As a Sacred Athlete, the potential is limitless as your freedom comes alive with your creativity, beauty and expression.  Join me on the dance floor...let's celebrate and create fireworks!!!  Plus full moon on Tuesday...WOW!!

My classes this week:
Monday and Thursday at 5:30 pm, and
Saturday at 9:30 am
all at http://www.thesynergystudio.com.

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/


 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!

Paying Attention to the Sounds and Silence of Life!!!

Hello Friends!!
I am back home after a fantastic week immersed in the Nia work and in nature at the beautiful Mar de Jade resort. I knew from the pictures this was going to be a magical place; however, I did not anticipate all the natural beauty that would surround me in the form of people, food, and nature!!!  Music and magic everywhere!   Every morning Adelle and I taught a Nia class in our ocean view studio, dancing not only to Nia routine music, but also with the sounds and silence of the sea, the birds, and the wind. Natures music....natural and organic. 

Sounds and silence are around each us, and if we take a moment to listen, we can hear music every where....the laughter of children, the wind blowing through the trees, my 2 dogs playing with each other (I had to add this!!), the birds making their sounds, a neighbor calling out to her family, friends engaged in a loving conversation.   All music...all inviting us to be seduced and to be ALIVE in our Dance of Life.

In Nia we view the power of music (Silence and Sound) through the triad of Music, Movement and Magic...MMM. Music is the canvas on which our body moves and the magic is what is expressed inside and outside of you in a natural, organic and alive way.  Music inspires, heals, awakens emotions, and can transform any situation into magic when we allow the vibrations to touch our body and be in sensation.

Nia also invites us to create a relationship with music by providing a system to track Sound and Silence - the 8BC system.  This system provides a mental grid on which to visually record the geometric patterns of sound, and then transcribe the sound through our minds and our bodies.  I truly believe the practice of listening to music and using the 8BC system of Nia will keep my mind agile, strong, flexible and youthful.  Ask me more about this fountain of youth process!!! 

So meet me on the dance floor this week as we dance to the Sounds of Silence of the Nia routine Aya.  The music of Aya inspires you to connect to the freedom, romance and excitement of life, creating magic through your body.

"Music is the festive dress of silence" - Chamalu
“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” -Aldous Huxley

And one last thing.  Join me in celebrating Sandy Ananda Ramon as a new Nia White Belt!!!  Ananda was with Adelle and me in Mexico where she stepped into the Nia White Belt, graduating on June 22nd.  Ananda lives in Germany but started her Nia dance here in San Antonio (her home town), and dances with us every time she is here for a visit.  She is here with us through July so offer her congratulations the next time you dance with her!!!

My classes this week:
Monday and Thursday at 5:30 pm
Saturday at 9:30 am and
Sunday at 4:00 pm all at  http://www.thesynergystudio.com/. 

Learn more and go deeper into the connection with you body and your life by taking a Nia White Belt Intensive.   Check out my trainings with Adelle Brewer at:  http://www.nianow.com/joanie

And join us next year when we return to Mar de Jade for a Nia retreat...November 9-16, 2013... we are on the calendar!

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/

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"

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/

GRACE.....

I love the word Grace.  In it's many definitions and uses as a verb, noun, adjective and adverb, its main message to me is love.  I desire to exude more Grace in my life...to be more grateful, compassionate, kind.  To do what is right, to forgive, to be generous and to move on this earth with a sense of lightness, ease and peace...to move with grace.   In Nia we use the harmony, balance and peaceful energy of Aikido energy to discover ease, comfort and love for our body...moving with GRACE.   Nia reminds us of the balance of Aikido through the word GRACE (I love this!!!):

G: Grounding - Our feet connected to earth as we move fluidly in space, on-line, off-line, changing directions.
R:  Relax - moving efficiently & effectively, staying fully connected to the experience.
A:  Awareness - Paying attention to body sensations, perceiving how our body relates as a whole, separately, and moving from a place of personal choices
C:  Center - Moving from the center, the center goes with you no matter what the form or direction, using your center as your 2nd pair of eyes
E:  Energy - Using Chi energy to direct your attention, relating to the energy inside and outside the body.

The energy and essence of Aikido as one of the 9 movement forms of Nia asks us to blend the movements of our body, to turn lines into circles, to create harmony out of struggle and to use love as our guiding light for all movement.  Aikido...Harmonious, Spherical Motion.  Your dance of peace, power, beauty and grace.   Aikido energy teaches as to listen to our body and be WITH our body.   Yes, Aikido energy is calling me and I cannot think of a better way to express and cultivate this energy than in my Nia classes this week.  So join me as we connect to Grace and enJOY the dance of the Nia routine Leap of Faith.

My classes this week are:  Monday and Thursday at 5:30 pm, Saturday at 9:30 am and Sunday at 4:00 pm all at The Synergy Studio. 

Nia Focus...Joy of Movement, Natural Time and The Movement Forms!!!

The Nia White Belt focuses on the foundation of Nia through 13 principles that guide you to place your attention on yourself, on your body, and on physical sensation.  The intent of these principles are to assist and inspire you to celebrate your body and your human potential.  Over the next 10 weeks we will be focusing on these principles, starting with the 1st 2 principles this week:  Principle 1, The Joy of Movement, and Principle 2, Natural Time and The Movement Forms.

The Joy of Movement teaches us to connect to Joy by choosing sensation through all movement.  As you sense your body, invite Joy in.  No matter what your circumstances are, you have the capacity to live and move in Joy, which is more than an emotion; it is a way of being in the world.  If at anytime you are not connected to the Joy of Movement, tweak what you are doing, and then look for ways to sustain and enhance this sensation!!

Natural Time and The Movement Forms invites us to be consciously aware of movement and measurement via our 13 joints and our 20 digits (fingers and toes).  Movement and Measure help you move in your own way and in your own time, increasing your awareness of sensation.  The 9 Movement Forms of Nia (3 Martial Arts, 3 Dance Arts, and 3 Healing Arts) add energy and variety to your practice which allows you to explore all the diverse aspects of your body, mind, emotions and spirit.  Natural Time and the Movement Forms help you to move in different ways, in your body's time and rhythm, in order to help you reach your potential and open up to the endless possibilities to heal!!!

WOW!!!  So let's have a wonderful week.  Find out more about the White Belt by visiting:  http://www.nianow.com/white-belt
See you in class!!
My classes this week:
Monday and Thursday at 5:30 pm
Saturday at 9:30 am,
and Sunday at 4:00 (team teaching with Adelle...52 moves playshop at 2:00)
all at  http://www.thesynergystudio.com/. 

Becoming a Sacred Athlete...Purpose-Potential-Possibility!!!

Happy 2012 EveryBody!

Wishing each of you love and peace as you step into 2012.  It is going to be a magical year...I'm excited!! As I reflect on 2011 I am grateful for all the beauty, peace and goodness that I have experienced in my life...my husband, family, friends and my Nia community of dancing beings have been instrumental in my life!  And my 2 lively dogs, Little Boo and Rocket!!!  In 2012 I will be collaborating with my Nia sister, Adelle, with the Nia White Belt intensive and I hope you will consider taking the Nia White Belt.  It is a wonderful exploration into the foundation of Nia and YOU, whether you would like to teach or take it for personal growth.  Check out our trainings at: www.nianow.com/joanie and click on "My Trainings".  Let me know if you have any questions.

2012's Nia focus for our community is the Year of Becoming a Sacred Athlete...a year of Purpose, Potential and Possibility.  A Sacred Athlete is a teacher and healer to all people.  Becoming a Sacred Athlete is a choice and is a journey of discovering your purpose, exploring your limitless potential and opening up to the endless possibilities available to you when you choose pleasure and love as your path for transformation and to self mastery.  We are all teachers.  We teach others with our actions, our thoughts and words.  We teach others through our choices.  Choosing to keep your body healthy through movement and dance shows others how you have chosen to love your body.  As we step in together to a New Year, let's all open up to our potential...it limitless.  Let's all open up to all possibilities life has for us...it is endless.  Your body's potential is limitless...200/700 (bones and muscles) unique ways to move and heal.  The possibilities of your body are endless...9 movement forms to connect to; 3 planes of movement and intensity levels to explore; Move/Explore/Create your FreeDance...ENDLESS. 

Becoming a Sacred Athlete is a choice.  Join me this week in class as we step into a wonderful year of movement and healing.  Happy New Year!!

My classes this week:
Monday and Thursday at 5:30 pm
and Saturday at 9:30 am all at  http://www.thesynergystudio.com/.