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/
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
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.
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.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
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-
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.
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-
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.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
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.
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.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Music - Movement - Magic...MMM!!
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.
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.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Dancing Through Life with Your Fingers, Hands and Arms...Expressing the Real You!!
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.
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.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Body Gratitude..."Thank You Body, I Sense...."!!!!!!
Hello EveryBody!!
"Thank You Body, I Sense....". This is a practice we do in Nia and I love it!! What better way to give gratitude to our body than to shout out loud Thank You Body! Our body is incredible AND it functions most of the time w/out our awareness. Nia invites us to be in awareness of our body by paying attention to our body sensations. If we sense any discomfort, all we need to do is affirm and then move to create self healing. For example: "Body I sense tightness in my lower back." Now move up and down from the floor 7 times, taking advantage of the floor by rolling around (embryonic/fish-like) before coming up. Then walk around and sense your body and say: "Thank You Body, I Sense relaxation in my shoulders...Thank You Body, I sense relaxation in my lower back." It is that simple! You will be amazed at the relationship you will create with your body and the healing that can happen.
So as we enter into Thanksgiving week and we reflect on all we are thankful for, don't forget about your body. Nia's philosophy is "Through Movement We Find Health" and our body loves to move, dance and play. Such a wonderful way to stay youthful and no better way to thank your body! See you in class!
And my Nia Friends, Thank You for all of your love and support, and your passion for Nia. You fill my heart with love and joy every time I dance with you. I am very grateful!! See you in class! Please note the change with Thursday's class!
My classes this week:
Sunday (Today!!) at 4:00 pm
Monday at 5:30 pm
Thursday at 8:00 am team teaching with Sarita
Saturday at 9:30 am
all at http://www.thesynergystudio.
My first Nia White Belt intensive with Adelle is almost upon us, starting at 5:30 pm on Dec. 1st. There is still time to sign up if you are interested. Go to: http://nianow.com/joanie and click on My Trainings.
Great Nia holiday gifts!!! 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 BrooksNia Black Belt/Trainer, Nia 5 Stages of Healing Facilitator, Mindful Change Coachhttp://www.joaniebrooks.me/
"Thank You Body, I Sense....". This is a practice we do in Nia and I love it!! What better way to give gratitude to our body than to shout out loud Thank You Body! Our body is incredible AND it functions most of the time w/out our awareness. Nia invites us to be in awareness of our body by paying attention to our body sensations. If we sense any discomfort, all we need to do is affirm and then move to create self healing. For example: "Body I sense tightness in my lower back." Now move up and down from the floor 7 times, taking advantage of the floor by rolling around (embryonic/fish-like) before coming up. Then walk around and sense your body and say: "Thank You Body, I Sense relaxation in my shoulders...Thank You Body, I sense relaxation in my lower back." It is that simple! You will be amazed at the relationship you will create with your body and the healing that can happen.
So as we enter into Thanksgiving week and we reflect on all we are thankful for, don't forget about your body. Nia's philosophy is "Through Movement We Find Health" and our body loves to move, dance and play. Such a wonderful way to stay youthful and no better way to thank your body! See you in class!
And my Nia Friends, Thank You for all of your love and support, and your passion for Nia. You fill my heart with love and joy every time I dance with you. I am very grateful!! See you in class! Please note the change with Thursday's class!
My classes this week:
Sunday (Today!!) at 4:00 pm
Monday at 5:30 pm
Thursday at 8:00 am team teaching with Sarita
Saturday at 9:30 am
all at http://www.thesynergystudio.
My first Nia White Belt intensive with Adelle is almost upon us, starting at 5:30 pm on Dec. 1st. There is still time to sign up if you are interested. Go to: http://nianow.com/joanie and click on My Trainings.
Great Nia holiday gifts!!! 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 BrooksNia Black Belt/Trainer, Nia 5 Stages of Healing Facilitator, Mindful Change Coachhttp://www.joaniebrooks.me/
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