A'a i ka hula, waiho i ka maka'u i ka hale
Translation from Hawaiian: Dare to dance, leave shame at home
First thing tomorrow morning I leave for Hawaii. I feel like I have been
preparing for this Nia and Belly Dancing retreat for nearly a year yet I
still feel like I have so much to do! I have butterflies in my belly
and excitement fills my soul. Joining me on the journey to Hawaii are my
Nia sister-colleagues,
Sandra Caldwell and
Jen Kraft.
They are both phenomenal women-healers that I feel honored to dance
with. And just a week ago my beautiful mother-in-law, Winni, decided to
join us for the retreat. Winni has just recently discovered her passion
for sewing. I always knew she was talented. She made my wedding dress 11
years ago and it was truly the most beautiful dress I've ever worn.
Wait until you see the skirts, veils and tops she made for us to dance
in at this retreat. Wow! I feel full. Life is good.
My intention for this retreat is to share what I love most about Nia -
the art of being fully present in my body and joyfully dancing my dance.
The mindfulness, presence and joy that this practice has brought into
my life is unparalleled. If I can just share a taste of it I will have
accomplished a part of my life's purpose. I also know, from friends,
that Hawaii has a way of working her magic. I am open to whatever
decides to come through me while I am there. I am ready to teach, to
share, to learn, to receive and surrender to the magic of paradise. The
retreat will be held at the Kalani Oceanside Retreat. Take a look at the
facilities:
http://www.kalani.com/guest-info/facilities Can you understand why I can hardly wait to get there?!
I will try and post photos and short reflections about the retreat on my
blog: http://everybodyloveyourbody.blogspot.com/ and Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/EverybodyLoveYourBody
The retreat runs from February 4 - 9. While I am away my classes at
Community Fitness will continue as usual and will be subbed by the
exquisite
Gretchen Musgrove.
While I am gone, feel free to take this online class masterfully taught
by Nia creator Debbie Rosas:
http://www.nianow.com/story/2012/01/nia-class-video-awareness-of-muscles
Note: Press play on the video on this webpage and then expand
to the full screen using the icon that looks like four arrows on the
bottom right side of the video.
I will be back in Seattle on February 10th arriving home on the red-eye
in time to take a quick nap and teach Second Friday Nia from
7:30pm-8:30pm at the Dance Space in Greenwood. I haven't selected a
theme for this class yet but I suspect it will have something to do with
Hawaii :). Please join me that night and feel free to wear a leis! My
regular teaching schedule resumes when I return with these exciting
changes:
Mondays - Open Flight Studio
No class on February 6 due to a performance at the studio.
My last class will be held on February 13, 2012 at 5:30pm. Please join
me in dancing a goodbye dance to this beautiful studio overlooking the
University Way.
Tuesdays - NEW - Nia and Yoga
Join me and
Liziah Woodruff, certified Viniyoga instructor, for this weekly 75-minute class
9:15am - 10:30am
The Dance Space in Greenwood
124 N 103rd Street Seattle, WA 98133
Note: Please bring a yoga mat. Class fee is the same. $13 drop-in or use a class card
Wednesdays - Community Fitness 65th St studio, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Thursdays - NEW - Nia
9:30am - 10:30am
The Dance Space in Greenwood
124 N 103rd Street Seattle, WA 98133
Note: This will be a regular class but I am also offering it as an Introduction to Nia class for new students.
Second Friday Nia - next up: February 10, 2012
7:30pm - 8:30pm
The Dance Space in Greenwood
124 N 103rd Street Seattle, WA 98133
Saturdays - Community Fitness Roosevelt studio, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Sundays - Delilah's Belly Dance Studio in Fremont, 10:30am - 11:30am
Sundays February 19 – March 18, 2012 - Nia 5 Stages of Self-Healing Five-Week Series:
The Dance Space in Greenwood, 124 N 103rd Street Seattle, WA 98133
5pm - 6pm on 2/19, 2/26, 3/4, 3/11 and 3/18
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.
Come for the series or drop-in when you can.
I am especially excited to be establishing a consistent presence at The
Dance Space in Greenwood. As Gretchen Musgrove says often - it is our
sanctuary. Indeed it is. It is a sanctuary - a place to heal, thrive,
laugh, love and heal. I am grateful to joing Gretchen, Susan Tate and
Jena Hennessey there. Please follow us on our
blog and
Facebook page.
See you in a week - It is likely I will return with a tan, mosquito
bites, a love for Hawaii, and a new passion for belly dancing to match
my passion for Nia!
Jennifer
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