Thursday, September 29, 2011

Learn the Base Nia Moves

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.

Voice of the Feet

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.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Blue Belt and Class Coverage

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:
  1. The Joy of Being In Relationship
  2. The Power of Two
  3. Awareness, Insight, Clarity
  4. Developmental Anatomy
  5. The Power of Three
  6. Split, Ellipt, Blend
  7. Nia Class Format
  8. The Power of Silence & Sound
  9. Form and Freedom
  10. FloorPlay
  11. Music, Movement, Magic
  12. Observe, Listen, Guide
  13. Vertical Routines
I will be excited to integrate my new embodied learning into my classes and overall life.

While I am away, my classes continue!

All of my classes will be lovingly covered by my Nia colleagues Mollia JensenJeanna Wheeler and Jill Pagano while I am in training:
  • 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.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Class on Thursday, Sept 15th

Join me for a special fundraiser class!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
6pm - 7pm
Fresh Fitness and Dance in Wallingford
4430 Corliss Ave. N, Seattle, WA, 98103

Class is by donation

I am raising money for UW Team Global Health (my team - go team!) for the Lifelong AIDS Alliance Seattle AIDS Walk which is coming up on September 24, 2011 in Volunteer Park.

Lifelong AIDS Alliance works to prevent new HIV infections and provide basic human services to people in need, including food, housing, and insurance coverage. Donations support the local fight against HIV and AIDS in our community.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Six-Week Series Starting 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

Series Flyer
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

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 includes the feet, knees, and legs. 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, Principle 6 (Base of the Body), and the 8 foot techniques used in a classic Nia class.
Session 2 on October 9 – Steps and the 9 moves and a review of foot techniques.
Session 3 on October 16 – Stances and the 6 moves, a review of foot techniques and stances, and introduction of Principle 7 (Three Planes of Movement and Three Intensity Levels).
Session 4 on October 23– Kicks and the 4 moves, a review of foot techniques, steps, and stances.
Session 5 on October 30 – Revew of all 27 base moves, adding the energies of the 9 movement forms and introduction of Principle 10 (X-ray Anatomy).
Session 6 on November 6 - Putting it all together, Dancing Through Life and Graduation!
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.

Dance Into Health

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Class Schedule Change and Events

Hello dancers,

A quick note to let you know that my Thursday evening class start time changes starting tomorrow September 8, 2011. The new class time is:

Thursdays at Fresh Fitness and Dance in Wallingford
4430 Corliss Ave. N, Seattle, WA, 98103
6:00pm - 7:00pm

Also, I have updated my Events page with information about the special Nia and Yoga special class and the 6-week foundation series on the Base of the Body.

*Please note the 6-week series has moved from Friday evenings to Sunday mornings in Fremont.

For both events:
http://everybodyloveyourbody.blogspot.com/p/events.html

To register for either or both, just reply to this email.

Finally, if you are brand new to Nia, my lovely colleague and dear friend Mollia Jensen is holding a six-week Nia Beginner's series starting next Tuesday evening (6pm) in the Mt Baker neighborhood. I can think of no better person to teach the Nia basics. Mollia is a stunning instructor and I look forward to future collaborations with her!

For more about Mollia's Nia Beginner's series: http://www.mahaflow.com/beginners-series/

I am looking forward to dancing with you - as always!

With warmth and dancing feet,
Jennifer

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Shining Our Light with Grace and Guts

Earlier today I participated in a special class celebrating 5 years of Nia at the Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood. The seeds were planted by Susan Tate, who I and so many others consider our Nia mama, and she has cultivated a most precious space for other teachers and dancers/students.

Susan set the class focus today of "shining your light with a spice of grace and guts." That focus alone blew me away but the songs selected brought this focus to a new level of somatic exploration. All I can say is WOW! Susan teaches a masterful class - always filled with sound, laughter, wonder, and truly joy-full movement.

The three other Dance Space Nia instructors (myself, Jena Hennessey and Gretchen Musgrove) each contributed to this focus and routine with one song each. I feel so incredibly blessed to be part of this community. The class today left me in a state of immense happiness and grateful to these three incredible women who I consider my colleagues, teacher-mentors, and soul sisters.

Here is a photo taken of the four of us after class. What a gorgeous group of women!

Gretchen, Jennifer, Susan and Jena

Thursday, September 1, 2011

An Exploration of Nia and Yoga: Discovering health through movement

Event Flyer
Date: September 25, 2011
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Where: Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood
124 N 103rd Street, Seattle, WA 98133
Cost: $20
What to bring: Yoga mat, water, your bare feet and wear comfortable clothes you can dance and do yoga in.

Join Jennifer Lucero-Earle, certified Nia and Nia 5 Stages instructor and Liziah Woodruff, certified yoga instructor, for a 2-hour movement experience of Nia and Yoga.

Jennifer and Liziah, having a shared passion and love for the healing power of movement, have teamed up to co-create the Northwest (NW) Movement Collective: Live in the Movement.

The aim of NW Movement Collective is to encourage people to move their bodies, hearts, minds and soul’s with music, dance, art, theatre and writing to foster wellness of body, mind and spirit. This is Jennifer and Liziah's first of many collaborations.

The focus of this special class is on discovering vibrant health through movement combining Nia (dance arts, martial arts and healing arts) and yoga.

No previous experience in Nia or Yoga is required. This special class is open to everyone.

To register or with questions: jennifer@everybodyloveyourbody.com

Live in the Movement...

The Simple Pleasure of Dancing


The focus of tonight's class is the simple pleasure of dancing the whole body. The intent is to experience the ease that arises with simplicity. Yes, less is more. With each movement, discover how to move with simplicity and efficiency so that your dance becomes effortless and almost meditative.

Join me tonight in discovering the ease of moving with pleasure as your compass. Class from 6:30pm - 7:30pm at Fresh Fitness and Dance in Wallingford.