First Class of 2011: Creating Self

Laurie Bass, Nia 5 Stages and Nia Black Belt 

Join me for a very special combined Nia 5 Stages and Gentle/Restorative Nia class tonight. In celebration of our entry into 2011, the focus of tonight’s class is on “Creating Self.”

The New Year is typically a time when most people set goals or resolutions in order to create change in their lives. Our class tonight will focus on the conscious process of creating change in our bodies and lives through movement.

The creative process, or to be creative, involves an exchange of energy, always using energy to create something. We’ll focus on the process of creating changes and shifts within our bodies through the conscious and intentional energizing of our movements to create a pleasurable and healing environment in our bodies.

The Nia 5 Stages provides an environment for creating change through movement—both in each stage and in the movement between stages—and to witness the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual changes that occur. These 5 Stages remind us that we create ourselves each day with our thoughts, choices, and movements. We are going to focus on using the Nia 5 Stages to create change. We will specifically focus on the sensation of “you creating yourself.”

Following our Nia 5 Stages practice, we will experience a Gentle/Restorative Nia routine with the same focus.

I read recently in Anatomy and Physiology for Psychotherapists “everything that leaves physical traces in our bodies, that alters or adds to our shape in however small detail, can be said to embody a memory.” My desire for myself in 2011 is to create body memories that are joyful, loving, healing, expansive, and pleasurable. What are your desires for 2011?

I was inspired by the following article by Dr. Christiane Northrup titled "Flourishing in the New Year: Imagine your future and change your cells." It is a worthy read.

Join me tonight from 5pm – 6pm at the Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood for my first class of 2011.