The sound of music is one of the most powerful underlying creative forces in our universe. It is a powerful resonance that lies deep within the very heart of creation and existence. It is considered to be one of the oldest healing forms used by the Greeks, Chinese, East Indians, Tibetans, Egyptians, American Indians, Mayas, Incas and Aztecs. Music is tangible! Sound vibrates your nervous system and creates sensation in your body. The physical resonance in your body creates energy and triggers chemical responses that have effects on your body, mind, emotions and spirit. Music touches souls and awakens spirits.
In Nia, we have a triad called Music, Movement and Magic. Music is the canvas upon which your body Moves. Magic is what happens inside you. Imagine every cell in your body is an ear. As you use your body to listen to music, sound impacts you on a kinesthetic level. Your body instinctively responds to the music it hears, and if left to its natural impulses, will move effortlessly to it. When you connect Music and your Movement, Magic is created. MMM...our focus in class this week.
Beyond class and throughout your day, allow yourself to become fascinated with the sounds and silences of life. Practice the
Art of Listening while waiting in line at the grocery store, waiting for the pizza to cook, or waiting for a lecture or movie to
begin. Listen to the sounds of your family, your friends, your co-workers. Life is magical!!! See you in class!
My classes this week:
Thursday at 5:30 pm
Saturday at 9:30 am and
Sunday at 4:00 pm all at http://www.thesynergystudio.com/.
As most of you know, last week Adelle Brewer and I held our first Nia White Belt Intensive. We have 3 wonderful and enthusiastic trainees, and together we dove deep into the 1st 8 principles of the Nia White Belt. I have been practicing and teaching Nia for over 17 years and I am still learning and discovering. The Nia practice is rich and I love this work!! We continue with the intensive on Friday morning with Principle # 9, The Upper Extremities, our arms, hands and fingers...Creative Arm and Hand Expression.
Expressing ourselves with our upper extremities is a natural part of living in a human body—we do it all the time! Our arms, hands and fingers express joy, pain and pleasure; intimacy, protection and excitement. When we are hurt, our hands reach for our injuries. When we are deeply moved, our hands reach toward our hearts. When we are excited by our achievements, our arms burst up to the sky, toward unlimited possibility. Whether we are aware of it or not, we are always communicating our thoughts, feelings and emotions through the movement of our upper extremities. Tuning into your upper extremities—your arms, hands and fingers—allows you to tap into your full range movement and expression, naturally healing and conditioning your body by simply interacting with the world. This is the Body’s Way, and That is why 18 of Nia's 52 moves are dedicated to our these lovely body parts. They add so much to our dance!!! All of a sudden a bow stance is your dance in flight as you imagine your arms as beautiful white wings of light; a heal lead is an opportunity to paint the space around you with your fingers; and stepping onto the ball of your foot is a determined reach toward your dreams with your hands!
So this week as we prepare and step back into the Nia White Belt intensive we will focus on Principle #9 of the Nia White Belt - Creative Arm and Hand Expressions. As as you Dance Through Life pay attention pay attention to the movements and sensations
of your upper extremities throughout your day.
- Notice how you use your arms, hands to express your thoughts and feelings in every environment.
- As you walk, allow your arms to swing freely to relaxed shoulder joints.
- As you work at the computer, set reminders throughout the day to notice the sensations in your neck and shoulders. Then, consciously relax the muscles of your neck, shoulders and upper back as you type. Use Creepy Crawlers to stimulate movement of your joints in your hands.
- When you finish working for the day, practice Palm Directions to release your shoulder joints and stretch the front of your chest.
- To release tension and stretch your hands, integrate Webbed Spaces into various activities in your day, such as when walking from your car to the store, as you wait in line, etc.
I love this work...see you in class!
My classes this week:
Monday at 5:30 pm
Thursday at 8:00 am
Friday at 5:30 pm team teaching with Adelle
Saturday at 9:30 am team teaching with Adelle
Sunday at 4:00 pm team teaching with Adelle
all at http://www.thesynergystudio.com/.
