“What does the garden of your life look like now? What seedlings and flowerings have been neglected and now need some attention? Which need a bit of water? Light? Fresh air? A singing to? What is new that you are growing for this year? What seeds have you planted that you now are seeing sprout? Which do you need to let sit and stop digging up to see what’s happening? What may need to die to allow room for something new to grow?”
- Steph Cowling
The quote above is from a blog entry titled “
Growing Your Garden” from Cosmic Cowgirls Magazine. I know. The title is awesome and so are the blog entries.
This particular entry arrived just as I was contemplating what I seeds I desire to plant, nurture and grow this year in the garden of my Nia practice. The following are a few things I want to manifest:
- Greater integrity in my practice and teaching of Nia. I want to master the 52+ moves with both precision and playfulness. I believe this will help me become a better teacher.
- A deeper embodiment of the Nia principles which includes taking the time to learn and master the continuing education materials that include educational modules I can share with you on topics such as the base, core, upper extremities, x-ray anatomy, connective tissue, awareness, sight, sound, touch, etc. The learning is endless.
- Bringing the healing arts aspects of Nia to the forefront of my practice and sharing it with you. I want to convey the power of Nia to heal and create significant shifts in how we live in our bodies, minds, hearts and spirits.
- I desire greater collaboration with my Nia colleagues. Each of us is talented and together we are mighty! When our talents and passions merge everyone benefits. I feel incredibly lucky to be joining the Nia team (Susan Tate, Jena Hennessey and Gretchen Musgrove) at the Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood this year! I will also be partnering with my amazing colleagues Mollia Jensen, Randee Fox, and Jill Pagano on a few events. These are just a few collaborations coming up this year.
- To continue with the theme of my birthday this past year, I intend to continue to explore the alchemy of my Voice as a teacher, educator and student.
- In my personal life, I desire greater space in my life to explore my creativity and spend quality playful time with my loving husband.
I’d love to hear from you what you plan on growing in your Nia garden this year. Please share.
The seeds I planted have produced some significant changes in my schedule. Take a look:
What’s NEW:
Tuesday morning classes 9:30am – 10:30am begin at the Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood (124 N 103rd St., Seattle, WA 98133) on February 14, 2012
Thursday morning classes 9:30am – 10:30am begin at the Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood on February 16, 2012
Self-Care Second Fridays 7:30pm – 8:30pm at the Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood starts this Friday, January 13, 2012.
The focus of these monthly evening classes is self-care and developing skills as a sensation scientist (body awareness, movement variation and deepening your skills as a Nia dancer). Classes are a blend of movement meditation, free dance and classic Nia choreography. The theme for the first second Friday coming up this week is slipping to a state of RAW: Relaxed, Alert and Waiting. Relaxation, ease and a new tool to manage stress await you. For more:
http://everybodyloveyourbody.blogspot.com/2012/01/second-friday-slip-into-raw.html
Nia 5 Stages of Self-Healing Five-Week Series:
Sundays February 19 – March 18, 2012
5pm - 6pm
Cost: $50 for the series or $13 drop-in
Description: Nia 5 Stages is a powerful integrative practice based on the five stages of human development: embryonic, creeping, crawling, standing and walking. This practice is dedicated to self-healing and to using these five movements as stimulation to feel better in your body. The object of practicing these five simple movements is to prepare the body to become more functional, energetic, and comfortable while doing any movement such as: dancing, walking, running, yoga, martial arts, etc. This practice allows you to sense the natural ability your body has to realign itself and self-heal through movement. By the end of this five-week series you will have an in-depth introduction to each of the movements so that you can sustain a home practice.
What’s ENDING:
Mondays at 5:30pm at Open Flight Studio will be ending on Monday, February 13, 2012. Note: class is canceled on February 6 while I am in Hawaii and the last class will be on February 13.
What’s staying the SAME:
Wednesdays at 5:30pm at Community Fitness 65
th St
Saturdays at 1pm at Community Fitness Roosevelt Studio
Sundays at 10:30am at Delilah’s Belly Dance Studio in Fremont
EVENTS:
There are still a few spots left for my Nia and Belly Dancing Retreat at Kalani Oceanside Retreat Center in Hawaii. The retreat is February 4-9, 2012. Details:
http://www.delilahs-belly-dance-retreat.com/January2012-B/aboutretreat2012B.html
Make sure you check out all of these great events from my Nia colleagues in Seattle:
http://www.niaseattle.com/drupal-5.6/
I look forward to planting seeds with you, watching them grow and dancing with you this year and always,
Jennifer
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