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.
