Please join me for two special classes on New Year's Day, January 1, 2012.
New Year's Day Nia Routine
Sunday, January 1, 2012 Time: 10:30am – 11:30am Where: Delilah’s Belly Dance Studio in Fremont 4128 Fremont Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103 Cost: $13 drop-in or class card
Join me for a special Nia routine that combines songs from a number of different routines I've taught the past year. The routine will include songs requested by students and a number that I've selected to symbolically release 2011 and welcome 2012.
Stepping Into 2012 with a Nia Movement Meditation Sunday, January 1, 2012 Time: 11:45am – 12:30pm (45 min class) Where: Delilah’s Belly Dance Studio in Fremont
4128 Fremont Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103 Cost: By donation
Join me after my 10:30am Nia class for a special meditation class. As a new year approaches, we celebrate endings and new beginnings. There is no better way to kick off 2012 than with an intentional movement meditation that brings centering and nourishment to your body, heart, mind and spirit.
We will spend some time in seated meditation so please feel free to bring whatever would bring you most comfort such as a blanket, pillow or cushion. Come dressed to move and know that the movements will be gentle.
The focus of this 45-minute movement meditation class is cultivating peace in the four realms of body, mind, heart and spirit so that you can dance into 2012 feeling refreshed, whole, connected, centered and conscious.
"Allow yourself to trust joy and embrace it. You will find you dance with everything." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
The dark and cold days of winter are settling in along with the festive spirit of the holiday season. It’s the time of year when I can’t help but feel gratitude. I have so much to be thankful for. There is a budding Nia community at Delilah’s Belly Dance Studio in Fremont, Community Fitness (both studios) and at Open Flight Studio in the University District. I am thankful for all you that come to dance with me. You continue to guide me to become a better teacher and person with your feedback and joyful presence. I am also deeply grateful for my husband, family, close friends and colleagues that continue to support and encourage me as I pursue my passion. I couldn’t do this without them! My next newsletter (January) will include reflections on 2011 and visions for 2012.
There are three more weeks left in 2011. I love to dance during this season. It helps keep my spirits up, warms my body and provides me with the incredible gift of connection with you as my students, teachers and friends during these months when I’d rather wrap myself in a snuggie-like blanket and sit by the fireplace with a good book and cup of hot chocolate. While that sounds lovely, my joy is on the dance floor. And that is where you will find me as we transition into the heart of winter and into a new year.
In addition to my regularly scheduled classes, here are a few additional times you can find me on the dance floor over the next three weeks:
Rejoice! Rock Nia When: Friday, December 16, 2011 Time: 7:30-8:30 p.m. Where: Mt. Baker Community Clubhouse – 2811 Mt. Rainier Dr. S. Seattle, WA 98144 Cost: $5 (Free to Nia Members!) Join Nia Black, Belt Jason Alan Griffin for the debut of his rockin’ new Nia routine, REJOICE! If you like rock music, this Nia routine is for you. The playlist includes Pink Floyd, Manfred Man, The Beatles, Led Zepplin and Sly and the family Stone. I will be there and hope you will join us!
Welcoming Wholeness: Dancing Through the Holidays with Nia with Jena Hennessey, Jennifer Lucero-Earle and Susan Tate When: Sunday, December 18 Time: 2 - 4pm Where: Civetta Dance Space 124 N 103rd St., Seattle, WA Cost: $20 Please RSVP: jennifer@everybodyloveyourbody.com Join me, Jena Hennessey and Susan Tate for a special two hour class to welcome Winter and the holiday season. Together we will guide your through the Nia 5 Stages of self-healing and a Nia class that includes both some choreography and FreeDance. Our intention is to support you in cultivating wholeness in your mind, body, heart and spirit as we enter a new season and a new year.
Celebrate Christmas Day with the Joy of Movement with Jennifer and Gretchen Sunday, December 25, 2011 Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm Where: The Civetta Dance Space 124 N 103rd St., Seattle, WA Cost: $13 drop-in or class card with Jennifer or Gretchen Please RSVP: gretchen.blissfulfitness@gmail.com Join me and Gretchen Musgrove for an hour of holiday bliss in our sanctuary: The Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood. Come celebrate the spirit of Christmas with us through dance.
Stepping Into 2012 with a Nia Movement Meditation Sunday, January 1, 2012 Time: 11:45am – 12:30pm (45 min class) Where: Delilah’s Belly Dance Studio in Fremont 4128 Fremont Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103 Cost: By donation Please RSVP: jennifer@everybodyloveyourbody.com Join me after my 10:30am Nia class for a special meditation class. As a new year approaches, we celebrate endings and new beginnings. There is no better way to kick off 2012 than with an intentional movement meditation that brings centering and nourishment to your body, heart, mind and spirit. We will spend some time in seated meditation so please feel free to bring whatever would bring you most comfort such as a blanket, pillow or cushion. Come dressed to move and know that the movements will be gentle. The focus of this 45-minute movement meditation class is cultivating peace in the four realms of body, mind, heart and spirit so that you can dance into 2012 feeling whole, connected, centered and conscious.
December Class Announcements No class on Sunday, December 25th at Delilah’s Belly Dance Studio. Instead, join me and Gretchen Musgrove for a special Christmas late morning Nia class at the Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood. 11:30am – 12:30pm. $13 drop-in or your class card. We are celebrating the Spirit of Christmas and Gretchen’s birthday which is on December 26th.
No class on Monday, December 26, 2011 at Open Flight Studio.
Yes, I am teaching on January 1, 2012 at 10:30am at Delilah’s Belly Dance Studio in Fremont. I would be me if I did not dance on the very first day of the New Year! I hope you will join me.
Here’s to a joy-full holiday season – may your body, heart, mind and spirit be happy, healthy and full of joyous movement, Jennifer
Special Class on 12/18/11 Welcoming Wholeness: Dancing Through the Holidays with Nia with Jena Hennessey, Jennifer Lucero-Earle and Susan Tate
Sunday, December 18 2 – 4pm Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood Cost: $20 RSVP to Jennifer.
Join us for a special two hour class to welcome Winter and the holiday season. Together we will guide your through the Nia 5 Stages of self-healing and a Nia class that includes both some choreography and FreeDance. Our intention is to support you in cultivating wholeness in your mind, body, heart and spirit as we enter a new season and a new year.
Christmas Day Nia
Celebrate Christmas Day with the Joy of Movement
with Jennifer and Gretchen
Sunday, December 25 Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm Where: The Civetta Dance Space 124 N 103rd St., Seattle, WA Cost: $13 drop-in or class card with Jennifer or Gretchen Please RSVP: gretchen.blissfulfitness@gmail.com Join me and Gretchen Musgrove for an hour of holiday bliss in our sanctuary: The Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood. Come celebrate the spirit of Christmas with us through dance.
Step Into 2012 with a Nia Movement
Meditation
Sunday, January 1, 2012 Time: 11:45am – 12:30pm (45 min class) Where: Delilah’s Belly Dance Studio in Fremont Cost: By donation Please RSVP to Jennifer. Join me after my 10:30am Nia class for a special meditation class. The focus of this 45-minute movement meditation class is cultivating peace in the four realms of body, mind, heart and spirit so that you can dance into 2012 feeling whole, connected, centered and conscious.
On Thanksgiving morning Gretchen Musgrove and I held our second annual Nia benefit class for Noel House, a shelter for homeless women in Seattle. It was the perfect start to our day of gratitude: dancing in service and sisterhood. More than 20 dancers came to dance and support Noel House. Together, in the spirit of celebrating gratitude, service and sisterhood, we danced and raised over $300 for Noel House.
Before stepping onto the dance floor we asked each dancer to write a piece of paper two words of gratitude: one for self and one for another.
This was our playlist:
To Mend - Bluetech, Lynx, Janove from the Nia routine Cadence
Sun Is Shining – ReUnited from the Nia routine Vibe
Souk Rok 5- Ranu Raraku from the Nia routine Cadence
Free - Illumine from the Nia routine Velvet
Drumming Up a Storm - Bob Holroyd from the Nia routine AO
Sometimes - Kaskade from the Nia routine Cadence
Just Say Yes - Snow Patrol
Dark Waters - Bob Holroyd from the Nia routine AO
In These Arms; A Song For All Beings - Jennifer Berezan
Ordinary Miracle - Sarah McLachlan
Scott Musgrove, Gretchen’s wonderful husband, quietly captured the class with his camera. Below is a beautiful slideshow Gretchen created that includes these photos and images of many of the gratitude papers written by the dancers:
Thank you all for coming out to dance with us and support Noel House. We are grateful for your presence in our lives.
*I am subletting the beautiful Civetta Dance Space while Susan Tate is enjoying an adventurous visit to Brussels!
And don't forget this week -
Nia Benefit Class on Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Where: The Civetta Dance Space
124 N 103rd St., Seattle, WA 98133
Cost: $15
Please RSVP: gretchen.blissfulfitness@gmail.com
Join me and Gretchen Musgrove for a special Nia class on Thanksgiving Day to benefit Noel House, a shelter for homeless women in Seattle. Start your Thanksgiving day off with an hour of dance in the spirit of gratitude, service and sisterhood. Forward this announcement to friends who might appreciate a new twist on tradition!
“If you expect the unexpected, you’ll be prepared for miracles.”
I returned from Montreal last night eager to write and share with you about our 11/11/11 class. It left me speechless. Much of it felt like an out of body experience, in the best way, and yet in the end I felt embodied, grounded and completely inspired by the incredible group of people, 17 women and 1 man, that showed up to dance their purpose.
Many people know that I have a daily ritual of picking one card per day from one of my many tarot or other inspirational decks. Before leaving for the class on the morning of 11/11/11 I chose a card titled “Unexpected Visitors” from “The Enchanted Map” deck by Colette Baron-Reid. The card reading began with “If you expect the unexpected, you’ll be prepared for miracles.” The rest of reading emphasized detours, surprises, adventure and synchronicity. Since I was flying to Montreal later that night I assumed that the message of the card was related to that journey but I soon found out otherwise.
Unexpected Visitors
I arrived at the Civetta Dance Space expected 12 participants for the 11:11:11 class. But the door kept opening and dancers kept appearing. In the end there was a total of 18 of us.
As it turns out, I had printed exactly the right amount of handouts, sacred livelihood cards and brought exactly 18 candles. No more. No less. Earlier in the week I had gone out searching for small white candles and holders. I found an unmarked package of candles at Goodwill and bought every small glass holder they had. I didn’t count them. When I placed the candles in the holders, there were two candles left over but the wicks were broken so I set them aside and didn’t pack them up to bring to class. It was pure synchronicity. And so it was that I had unexpected visitors and our journey together was the most magical and sensational adventure.
The Focus
The focus of this special class was to explore our unique gifts, desires, dance our unique dance and plant the seeds for a future of living more consciously from a place of inspiration and purpose. To me, this focus was a blend of 11:11:11 serving as a gateway to a new consciousness and living out a sacred livelihood (principle 11 of the Nia white belt) from a place of higher consciousness and authenticity. But doing it together, as a group, as a community, is where the magic emerged.
11:11:11
We began with introductions and I explained briefly what my thoughts were about the 11:11:11 portal:
A gateway to a more authentic and collaborative way of living. No longer every man or woman for herself. The number one is about leadership, beginnings and leadership. When I see so many 1's alongside one another, I see community, collaboration, a group of leaders and a paradigm shift guided by working towards a common good leading with heart, spirit and sacred purpose.
Defining a Sacred Livelihood
sacred: to be dedicated or devoted exclusively to a single use, purpose, or person.
I then briefly explained Principle 11 of the Nia white belt: Creating a Sacred Livelihood: Adapted from Nianow.com
"Sacred Livelihood means first of all recognizing the sacredness of your body – every single part of your body. Your sacred body is dedicated to a single purpose, your life! Your body is the physical container or temple of your life. Through your body, you create your life and your livelihood using three inalienable resources: time, consciousness, and energy. All you do, each of your decisions, is an investment in your livelihood – an investment of the life-force energy you draw from to make choices, to act and create. Creating a sacred livelihood is about consciously bringing your gifts to the world through each choice and action in a way that creates a life of happiness, a sense of purpose, and a sustainable state of health and well-being. Discovering your unique purpose will help illuminate your path – and like your body, your purpose will evolve. With every thought, choice and action, you are creating something new, a new ripple to impact this world. This is the Body’s Way."
Employing Muses
We did a short writing exercise and after, I facilitated a guided meditation slight adapted from the Waking Planet 11/11/11 script beautifully written by my friend Barbara Upton of New Paltz, New York:
http://wakingplanet.blogspot.com/2011/11/111111-portal-to-new-earth.html
After the guided journey, we each took a moment to write out sacred purpose on a small index card.
And then we danced.
The Routine and Preparing for Miracles
I carefully and intentionally crafted this routine so that the songs resonated with the theme of creating a sacred livelihood, which was also the class focus.
The first song was spent in silence as I read the following quote:
“When you walk through the gateway of your sacred purpose, you walk into yourself. Blessingly buffered from the madness of the world, your purpose filters out those relationships and energies that undermine your expansion.
Infused with vitality and a clarified focus, new pathways of possibility appear where before there were obstacles. Life still has its challenges, but you interface with them differently, coated in an authenticity of purpose that sees through the veils to what really matters.
The rivers of essence rise up to meet you, carrying you from one wave of expansion to another...” – Jeff Brown
In that spirit, the second song was titled “Expand.”
Each subsequent song built on the other, crafting a movement story of discovering and dancing our unique purpose.
11/11/11 Routine Playlist
1. Chakra 1 - Shannon Day
2. Expand - Shannon Day
3. A Different Space - Nia Routine AO
4. Smell Of Desire - Enigma
5. Star Power – Nia Routine Vibe
6. Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall - Coldplay
7. Just Say Yes - Snow Patrol
8. A Canterbury Tale - Nia Routine Universal Mind
9. Passion of Your Passion – Nia Routine Passion
10. Colour In My Name - Nia Routine Vibe
11. In Love's Domain - Tim Wheater
11 songs and total time was 1 hour, 11 minutes and 11 seconds. I could not have planned this if I tried. The timing was one of the unexpected miracles.
Bright Flames
When we got to song 8, A Canterbury Tale, we formed two parallel lines – much like the number 11, or you can envision Soul Train.
In pairs, we danced down between the lines and through an imaginary portal as I read each statement of Sacred Livelihood (names excluded), and at the end of the "portal" each dancer lit a candle.
We witnessed one another. Each purpose was heard, received and acknowledged. Towards the end of the song we formed a circle around the table that held 18 bright flames. With those flames burning bright we returned to the dance floor for the final three songs: Passion of Your Passion, Colour In My Name and In Love’s Domain.
Receiving the Voice of Sacred Livelihood
The last song, In Love's Domain, was spent on the ground, resting and listening as I read the “Voice of Sacred Livelihood” written by Debbie Rosas, co-founder of Nia.
I cannot share the entire script with you but will share an adapted excerpt:
"Make every action in life personal, a creative and sacred act. Commit to consciously transforming your body and life with love and recognize that you are a teacher to the world. Seek your destiny, walk your talk, and discover what is meaningful and sacred to you. Make what you do motivating and inspiring for yourself. Recognize you will manifest your greatness. Awaken your inherent power to change, to be better and happier, and you will awaken others. Consciously take care of your own body and life and you will become a leader to others. Help people know without knowing; teach them to treat their body, mind, emotions, and spirit with respect and love and you will become a great healer. Whether caring for a patient, a client, a child, a parent, or your staff, make everything you do a reflection of a Creative and Sacred Livelihood."
Embracing the Unexpected
I expected 12 people but 18 showed up. I structured the class in a way that required me to use my microphone but the mic didn’t work so I had to project with my voice and emphasize with my body. I had a script prepared but only loosely read from it because the words flowed. I expected to stick with my agenda but relaxed and allowed myself to be guided by the group. I expected to teach the routine one way and it channeled me in another direction. I was truly being guided by something beyond myself.
I do not have photos to share of this very special gathering of souls. It was very much a sacred class and I found myself in tears a couple of times. I felt incredibly grateful and honored to witness each individual purpose and dance alongside each spirit in the room. I was in awe of everyone and left convinced that collectively we were/are going to change the world.
Over this weekend I will share a few songs from this routine and I hope you will join me in dancing your sacred purpose.
"sa.cred - Dedicated or devoted exclusively to a single use, purpose, or person.”
We are deep into my favorite season of the year. I love that autumn lingers here in the Pacific Northwest. I have been enjoying the multisensory experience of the season - the changing leaves, the cool air, the dampness, the dark setting in, the brilliant sunsets we've had over the past few weeks and the inner sensation that change is afoot. This is the time of year I typically reflect on where I am and where I desire to be. There is no rush or sense of urgency around making changes, just the quiet reflection and anticipation for a slow emergence. With that, I want to share with you that as I prepare for my 11/11/11 class I have been spending a lot of time thinking about my sacred livelihood; my purpose.
I have a full-time job at the University of Washington as the assistant director of the Global Health Resource Center. I have the tremendous joy of working with students that want to create a better world by addressing the causes of, and providing solutions for, disparities in health around the globe. I am also a Nia instructor/educator/facilitator. Movement is the heart and soul of my life and world. For me, there is no health, wellness or vibrancy without the pleasure and joy of movement. I am also a wife, daughter, aunt, friend, colleague and soul sister to many :)
As I think of the intersection between these very different parts of my life what has emerged is that my sacred purpose is to hold the space for others to discover and pursue their dreams of creating a better world whether that's through discovering the joy of movement or providing ethical and loving approaches to health around the world. I know that, as with all movement, my purpose is dynamic and fluid. It will change as I change. But at this moment in time, I believe my single purpose is to serve as a conduit and resource, to inspire, hold the space and provide an open heart, mind and spirit for you to spread your wings and fly.
I hope that you will join me in exploring and perhaps discovering your sacred livelihood at my special 11/11/11 class.
And now for news. There's lots of it :):
My new weekly class schedule is as follows -
Mondays at 5:30pm at Open Flight Studio in the University District
Sundays at 10:30am at Delilah's Belly Dance Studio in Fremont
and
Wednesdays at 5:30pm at Community Fitness 65th Street
Saturdays at 1:00pm at Community Fitness Roosevelt Studio
I will be in Montreal at the Consortium of Universities for Global Health annual conference from November 12 - 16, 2012.
All of my classes will be lovingly covered by my amazing Nia sisters:
Saturday, November 12, 201, 1pm at Community Fitness Roosevet Studio - Gayle Holeton
Sunday, November 13, 2011, 10:30am at Delilah's Belly Dance Studio in Fremont - Quincy Anderson
Monday, November 14, 2011, 5:30pm at Open Flight Studio in the University District - Jeanna Wheeler
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 5:30pm at Community Fitness 65th St - Gretchen Musgrove
I will be so excited to dance with you when I return!
Subbing for Jena Hennessey
I am delighted to sub for Jena this coming Friday November 18, 2011 from 6p-7pm at the Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood.
Special class on 11/11/11 Dancing through the 11:11 Portal
Friday, November 11, 2011
11am – 12:30pm
Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood
Cost: $11
Join me for a special Nia class on 11/11/11 at 11am. We will be guided by Principle 11 of the Nia White Belt: Creating a Sacred Livelihood. Come and dance your unique dance, share your unique gifts and plant the seeds for a future of living more consciously from a place of inspiration and purpose. Let me know you are attending. Email me at jennifer@everybodyloveyourbody.com
Join me and Gretchen Musgrove for a special Nia class on Thanksgiving Day to benefit Noel House, a shelter for homeless women in Seattle. Start your Thanksgiving day off with an hour of dance in the spirit of gratitude, service and sisterhood. Forward this announcement to friends who might appreciate a new twist on tradition!
I will be subletting Susan Tate's timeslot and teaching the following special classes in November and early December. You may use my class card or drop-in for $13 per class:
Tuesdays, November 22 and 29, 2011 - two day's only
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Where: Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood
124 N 103rd Street, Seattle, WA 98133
Thursday, December 1, 2011 - one day only
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Where: Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood
124 N 103rd Street, Seattle, WA 98133
As the dark and cold season sets in this is the perfect time to dream about Hawaii. There is still time to register for my in February 2012 rejuvenating Hawaii retreat with Delilah Flynn of Delilah's Belly Dance Studio.
Finally, as I announced in my October newsletter, my Nia Seattle colleagues and mentors Jill Pagano and Randee Fox are hosting their first Nia White Belt Intensive as trainers right here in Seattle starting on November 12, 2011. There are a number of classes available to everyone during the weeklong training. I am so sad that I will miss these community classes as I will be in Montreal for most of the time. Seize the opportunity to learn from these incredible trainers:
Community BLAST class with Trainers, Randee Fox and Jill Pagano during the Nia White Belt Week Nov 12-18th
Sunday 11/13 The Joy of Movement Focus - 11:15 AM
Monday 11/14 The Base of the Body Focus - 8 AM & 6:15 PM
Tuesday 11/15 The Core of the Body Focus - 9:30 AM & 6:15 PM
Wednesday 11/16 The Upper Extremities of the Body - 8 AM & X-Ray Anatomy - 6:15 PM
Thursday 11/17 Surprise! - 9:30 AM
Friday 11/18 - 8:00 AM Sensing your Body
All classes are $15 and will be held at Blue Heron Ranch Moving Arts Studio, 25025 NE 8th Street, Sammamish 98074
To preregister, please contact Randee Fox at randee@randeefox.com
Excited to play with you again on the dance floor,
Jennifer
Join me and Gretchen Musgrove for a special Nia class on Thanksgiving Day to benefit Noel House, a shelter for homeless women in Seattle. Start your Thanksgiving day off with an hour of dance in the spirit of gratitude, service and sisterhood. Forward this announcement to friends who might appreciate a new twist on tradition!
NiaSeattle Fall Jam
Sat., Nov. 12, 2011, 1-2:30 pm,
Mt. Baker Community Clubhouse
$20 at the door
For more information, click here.
Tune in. Turn on and come Dance! Connect with Seattle's growing Nia Community for an afternoon of soul-charging dance. A sparkling lineup of local Nia teachers will get you to glow.
Funds generated from the Fall Jam are designated toward updating the NiaSeattle website and donations to communities in need.
Join me and Gretchen Musgrove for a special Nia class on Thanksgiving Day to benefit Noel House, a shelter for homeless women in Seattle. Start your Thanksgiving day off with an hour of dance in the spirit of gratitude, service and sisterhood. Forward this announcement to friends who might appreciate a new twist on tradition!
sa.cred - Dedicated or devoted exclusively to a single use, purpose, or person.
Event Flyer
When: Friday, November 11, 2011
Time: 11am – 12:30pm
Where: Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood
Address: 124 N 103rd St, Seattle, WA 98133
Cost: $11
Join me for a special Nia class. We will dance guided by Principle 11 of the Nia White Belt: Creating a Sacred Livelihood.
Explore your unique gifts, desires, dance your dance and plant the seeds for a future of living more consciously from a place of inspiration and purpose.
A reminder that I am no longer teaching on Thursday evenings at Fresh Fitness and Dance in Wallingford. I plan on enjoying a few weeks dancing with colleagues and spending quality time with friends, family and especially, my wonderful and supportive husband. He's a phenomenal man and it reminds me of one of my favorite poems of all time that I came across on the Facebook page for Woman earlier today. And it's a message I want to share with you - you are phenomenal woman. Yes, I am talking to you.
Phenomenal Woman
by Maya Angelou
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
The following is a beautiful essay written by one of my Nia students, May Leong.
About May:
May is a girl from Brooklyn, who's working on 3 novels (fantasy, nonfiction and fiction) at the moment, while she's looking for work. She's had several articles published before in magazines and newspapers.
A message from me:
May is a stunning dancer. She radiates joy, fullness and presence. And in my opinion, she is a great dancer because the love for the dance moves through her, emanates and radiates out from within her and is infectious. It brings me great joy to witness her Joy. The fact that she is a Brooklyn girl is like icing on the cake. It's no wonder this Bronx girl is so taken with her :).
I am so glad she took the time to write this:
Resistance to writing
by May Leong
Why is it hard to write sometimes? What am I resisting? There are many reasons that come to mind when I allow myself to really look at them: • Fear that it doesn’t come out as cleverly on paper as it does in my head
• Worry that the words just don’t come
• Worry that what I write may or may not be used. Will it be throw-away text or will it be something that sticks and can be used?
As I was putting on my sneakers today, getting dressed so that I could save time to write, I thought about what I love – dance – and why I don’t strive to be a great dancer yet I’m willing to make the effort to try and be a great writer. OK, maybe not a great writer, but at least a good one. The mantra I’ve come back to this year (which has appeared to me in the past) is - I am good enough. What I put out to the world is good enough. What I do as a parent, partner and friend is good enough and more specifically, what I’m going through in this journey of life is good enough. The struggles, lessons and all don’t have to be great, good enough is just that – good enough.
While I may be older and the chances of me becoming a great dancer at this age are much slimmer (though not entirely impossible), to me, dance is a movement that is the celebration of life. It’s something I do for myself, something I find pleasurable, challenging, frustrating at times when my hips won’t move the way they used to, as if with age they’ve earned the right to argue back and have a mind of their own – imagine that?
At the same time, dance is a growth opportunity, a rediscovery of yes, I once made that move, I once danced that dance – hello old friend, you never really left me did you? But something inherently, true, at least to me, is that dancing requires an audience, because why create great movement/art if you’re not going to share it? That’s not to say that dance shouldn’t only be for an audience. What I can express in words almost makes up for what I can’t express through my body in dance, simply because if I started now, it’s so late in life, not because I’m going to die tomorrow, though in all honesty I can’t rule that out either, but because I’m starting at a time when my body is not as supple and forgiving as compared to the body of my younger self, when I was 6, 12 or 20.
Do I wish I could go back in time and be a dancer? Sure that would be great. However, short of having access to a time machine, what I’ve discovered instead is the immense joy of dance and movement in my Nia classes. The highlight of my week, what I look forward to is going back to being a new student again. Learning how to move so that this body doesn’t become stiff or stagnant. I get to be that 10-year old again, when I didn’t care how I looked when I moved, when movement was all about just enjoying the lift of an arm to the sky or a kick at an imaginary board in front of your shoulders. It doesn’t matter that everyone else in the room has their arms, legs and heads in different positions from me. We all move to the music, to our breath and at the leisure that our bodies afford us. Without our bodies we have no permission to move, we cannot indulge our desires to express.
What would it be like if my body were bound in a wheel chair and I participated in Nia? I’m sure I would enjoy the pleasure that this type of movement affords, I just would have a greater restriction on what I could physically do, but I doubt this would limit the level of enjoyment of the class.
Being able to play in movement and expression each week is good enough for me. I don’t need an audience. I don’t need to dance for the sake of giving a gift to the world in the way that Martha Graham or Isadora Duncan did. I have a great appreciation for the artists who can create dance, who can dance as artists. It’s kind of like appreciating a movie – I don’t need to be a director or props person or costume designer to enjoy a movie or feel passionate about it. Sometimes I like to think that at best I can art direct – others who are more creative.
So this little essay in what makes it hard to write? I wanted to try it out and see if it would help me break through, at least get a few more words on the page and sure enough, I am grateful that it did.
"Your voice is your identity in sound. It is far more than just a means with which to communicate your thoughts and feelings; it is the expression of your integrity and individuality in the world!”
There is so much delight to share in October. This month I celebrated my Bliss 36th Birthday with a celebratory dance surrounded by 11 friends, sisters and Nia colleagues. I wrote about it on the blog: Bliss 36. I am excited for the year ahead and have been enjoying sharing my favorite songs with my classes during my birthday month! My wish is that my bliss is contagious and you find yourself smiling and dancing joyously through life each and every day.
Nia on Thursday evenings coming to an end
This is my last month teaching at Fresh Fitness and Dance in Wallingford on Thursday evenings. I have taught at this space since January 2011 and have enjoyed watching the community grow at this lovely studio. I am hoping to offer a new Thursday evening class at a new location early in 2012. Stay tuned.
Please join me for my last two Thursday evenings at Fresh: October 20 and 27 from 6p-7pm.
Subbing for Jena Hennessey
I am delighted to sub for Jena this coming Friday October 21, 2011 from 6p-7pm at the Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood.
Co-teaching Halloween Class with Gretchen Musgrove
Join me for my regular Monday evening class on October 31st at 5:30pm at Open Flight Studio in the University District. My dear friend and Nia colleague, Gretchen Musgrove of Blissful Fitness, and I will be co-teaching the routine Dreamwalker!
Special class on 11/11/11 Dancing through the 11:11 Portal
Friday, November 11, 2011
11am – 12:30pm
Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood
Cost: $11
Join me for a special Nia class on 11/11/11 at 11am. We will be guided by Principle 11 of the Nia White Belt: Creating a Sacred Livelihood. Come and dance your unique dance, share your unique gifts and plant the seeds for a future of living more consciously from a place of inspiration and purpose. Let me know you are attending. Email me at jennifer@everybodyloveyourbody.com
Reflections on Blue Belt
I learned so much about myself as an individual and about myself in relationship to my Nia practice at the Blue Belt intensive. The focus of the Blue Belt intensive was “Communication, Relationship and Intimacy.” The intent was “to energize personal connection through self-discovery and communication by following The Body's Way.” Throughout this experience, I became a curious explorer of truth, connection, silence, sound, and deep listening not just with others but with myself.
During this practice of listening and connecting, the pearl that emerged for me was the deep desire to find my voice. With that recognition, I returned home from the training with a respiratory infection and practically lost my voice! It was ironic and quite beautiful to sit in silence and listen my inner voice and clarify what it is that wants to be expressed through this channel of expression. As I pondered this, I stumbled across a book titled “The Alchemy of Voice” by Stewart Pearce. I closed my eyes, opened the book and this was the first sentence my eyes set on “Your voice is your identity in sound. It is far more than just a means with which to communicate your thoughts and feelings; it is the expression of your integrity and individuality in the world!” With that, 2012 is my year to explore the alchemy of my Voice as a teacher, educator and student.
Thank you for witnessing and sharing in my journey.
Excited to play with you again on the dance floor,
Jennifer
Nia White Belt Intensive Training
Dates: Sat, Nov. 12, 2011 - Fri, Nov. 18, 2011.Immerse yourself into a magical and moving week studying your body via the Nia Technique. For students wanting to deepen their practice and deepen their connection or those wishing to teach Nia. For more information Nia White Belt Intensive in Sammamish, WA with Nia Seattle trainers Jill Pagano and Randee Fox.
Shine Your Light NiaSeattle Fall Jam
Sat., Nov. 12, 2011, 1-2:30 pm,
Mt. Baker Community Clubhouse, $20 at the door
For more information, click here.
Tune in. Turn on and come Dance! Connect with Seattle's growing Nia Community for an afternoon of soul-charging dance. A sparkling lineup of local Nia teachers will get you to glow.
Funds generated from the Fall Jam are designated toward updating the NiaSeattle website and donations to communities in need.
Yesterday I celebrated entering my Bliss 36 with 11 of the most inspiring, beautiful, soulful, loving and creative women I've ever met. They are my friends, sisters, colleagues and playmates. And boy did we play! Our focus was my intent for this year: to discover my unique voice, manifest my dreams, to create space and time in my life to nurture my relationships an dreams, and unite the feminine and masculine within myself.
The photo below captures our post-dance glow and included is the playlist. Several of us lead songs so it was truly a collaborative celebration of movement!
Bliss 36 Playlist
Song For Olabi - Bliss
Sun Is Shining (Out Of Sight Remix) - ReUnited
Rolling in the Deep – Adele
Strength, Courage, & Wisdom - India.Arie
Shackles (Praise You) - Mary Mary
Keep On Searching - Kraak & Smaak
Bust a Move - Young MC
DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love - Usher
Sometimes - Kaskade
Just Say Yes - Snow Patrol
Light You Up - Shawn Mullins
I Hope You Dance- Lee Ann Womack
Blood Of Eden - Peter Gabriel
Expand - Shannon Day
Om Namo Bhagavate - Miten & Deva Premal
Six-Week Series Starting Sunday, October 2nd Dancing from the Base of your Body - Happy feet, healthy knees, and strong legs A foundational six-week series for new and experienced students
When: Sundays 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30 and 11/6.
Time: 10:30am - 11:30am
Where: Delilah's Belly Dance Studio in Fremont
Address: 4128 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA, 98103
There is plenty of free parking in the area and this studio is beautiful and intimate - the perfect space for learning!
Class series: $65
Optional educational package – an additional $60 for an educational package that includes the Nia Technique book, a class DVD, and a music CD.
Class series and educational package - Purchase both the 6-week class series and educational package for $100.
To register: email jennifer@everybodyloveyourbody.com
"Feel more balance, power, coordination and grace in your whole body."
About the series
This six-week series is for both new and experienced Nia students. The focus of this foundational Nia series is on Principle 6 of the Nia white belt: The Base of the Body.
The base of the body is your foundation, where all movement begins. It includes your two feet, two ankles, two sets of shinbones, two knees, two thighbones and two hip joints.
What you will learn
In this series, you will learn all 27 base moves we use in Nia: 8 foot techniques, 9 steps, 6 stances and 4 kicks. There are a total of 52 official Nia moves so after this series you will only need to learn 25 more!
In each 60-minute session we will break down each movement in three phases: learn the move, move the move and energize the move. At the end of the series, expect to have a mastery of the 27 base moves that will deepen your experience of Nia. Each session will include useful educational handouts and practice assignments you can easily do at home.
Overview of each Session:
Session 1 on October 2:
The Feet, the Joy of Movement, and Principle 6 - Base of the Body. Introducing the 6 Stances used in a classic Nia class.
Session 2 on October 9:
A review of the 6 Stances and introducing the 8 foot techniques. Introduction of Principle 7 - Three Planes of Movement and Three Intensity Levels.
Session 3 on October 16:
A review of the 6 Stances, 8 foot techniques and Introducing the 9 steps. Introduction of Principle 5 – Awareness: Paying Attention to Body Sensations.
Session 4 on October 23:
A review of foot techniques, steps, and stances. Introducing the 4 Kicks. Introduction of Principle 10 - X-ray Anatomy.
Session 5 on October 30:
Review of all 27 base moves. Energizing the moves. Introduction of Principle 2 – Natural Time and The Movement Forms.
Session 6 on November 6:
Putting it all together, Dancing Through Life and Graduation! Let’s Dance!
If you come to all six sessions you will receive a graduation present. It’s a secret gift bag.
New to Nia?
Nia is a dynamic fitness and lifestyle practice combining movement and philosophies from the Martial Arts, Dance Arts, and Healing Arts to bring the body, mind, emotions and spirit to wellness. Through blending both choreography and freeform movement into 60-minute aerobic fitness odysseys, Nia emphasizes not only physical conditioning, but also creativity, community, self-discovery, and individual expression. This six-week series is a great introduction to Nia!
I hope that you will join me. Please contact me at jennifer@everybodyloveyourbody.com with any questions.
To register: email jennifer@everybodyloveyourbody.com.
The focus of tonight's class is the feet. The intent is to connect with the feet as a stable base and our foundation.
Nia Handout on the Feet
Voice of the Feet
I am the voice of your feet. I am the hands that touch the earth.By design, there are two of me. One of me supports your left side, and one supports your right side. Each of me has 26 bones and 25 joints.
I let you know where you are through sensation coming from over 7,000 nerve endings in each of my soles.
My function is to provide you with a foundation, a trampolinelike base with arches that run horizontally and longitudinally.
I function best when your ankle joint is free and involved.
What keeps me healthy is being allowed to be naked and free to naturally settle into a relaxed, more elongated and expanded design. If I am confined, I get cranky and lock up.
I never work alone, but always with my partner, the ankle joint.
I provide stability and support from my inner arch, which is made up of the big toe and the next two toes. My arches give you a springboard.
My toes, designed to lengthen and spread, need space and freedom. At the back of me is my largest bone, the calcaneus, and the part known as the heel. Together with my second largest bone, the talus, and the smaller bones, the navicular, cuneiform, metatarsals, and my inner arches, I provide flexibility, power, and stability.
I make it possible for you to receive energy from the earth and to be touched as you walk, run, skip, hop, play sports, dance and live in your world. Visualize me as a magic carpet, one you ride on and are elegantly supported by from underneath.
I look forward to dancing with you tonight 6pm at Fresh Fitness and Dance in Wallingford.
Tomorrow I begin my Blue Belt training. Blue Belt, the second level of Nia education, explores how to create healthy relationships through body-centered communication. It is a week-long intensive that starts tomorrow and ends September 23, 2011. This belt introduces the next set of 13 Nia principles, which focus on the mental, emotional and spiritual realms of the body. I particularly love what is written about the first of the blue belt principles:
"The Joy of Being in Relationship, integrates the sensation of Joy with the awareness that Joy is something outside the self, which we can invite into our physical experience. As a result, we begin to deepen our ability to listen with clarity and sustain awareness of details outside our body."
The 13 Blue Belt Principles I will learn are:
The Joy of Being In Relationship
The Power of Two
Awareness, Insight, Clarity
Developmental Anatomy
The Power of Three
Split, Ellipt, Blend
Nia Class Format
The Power of Silence & Sound
Form and Freedom
FloorPlay
Music, Movement, Magic
Observe, Listen, Guide
Vertical Routines
I will be excited to integrate my new embodied learning into my classes and overall life.
Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 1:00pm at Community Fitness Roosevelt Studio – Jill Pagano
Sunday, September 18, 2011 at 10:30am at Delilah’s Belly Dance Studio in Fremont – Mollia Jensen
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 5:30pm at Open Flight Studio in the University District – Jeanna Wheeler
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 5:30pm at Community Fitness 65th Street – Jill Pagano
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 6:30pm at Fresh Fitness and Dance in Wallingford – Mollia Jensen
Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 1:00pm at Community Fitness Roosevelt Studio – Jill Pagano
Join me for my first classes back in Seattle on Sunday, September 25th! 10:30am at Delilah's in Fremont and a special Nia and Yoga class at 2pm at the Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood.
And a reminder of upcoming events:
Special Class: Exploration of Nia and Yoga
Discovering Health Through Movement
with Jennifer and Liziah
September 25, 2011
2pm – 4pm
Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood
The focus of this special class is on discovering vibrant health through movement combining Nia and yoga.
No previous experience in Nia or Yoga is required. This special class is open to everyone.
For more information click here.
Six-Week Series Starting October 2nd!
Dancing from the Base of your Body - Happy feet, healthy knees, and strong legs.
A foundational series for new and experienced students
Sundays: 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30 and 11/6.
10:30am - 11:30am
For more information,click here.
