June 2011 Newsletter

Summer is on her way! It’s getting warmer, brighter and the time is ripe for dancing into the new season. My classes for the month of June will focus on Joy. The joy of movement, of entering a new season, of celebrating the lightest and brightest time of the year, and honoring the shining light and warmth of the sun.

I am also celebrating the joy of having a new community to dance with at Community Fitness! I am truly looking forward to building and growing my classes there. Even though you cannot use my class cards at Community Fitness, you can easily drop-in for $12 or purchase class cards or membership.

I will have a limited schedule for the month of June while I take make my annual pilgrimage to visit with my family in New York. I leave on June 9th and return on Sunday, June 19th. Once I return, I plan on teaching straight through the Summer! You are stuck with me :)

Below is my teaching schedule for the month of June:

• Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 5:30pm at Community Fitness 65th Street Studio
• Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 6:30pm at Fresh Fitness and Dance in Wallingford
• Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 1pm at Community Fitness – Roosevelt Studio
• Sunday, June 5, 2011 at 10:30am at Delilah’s Belly Dance Studio in Fremont
• Monday, June 6, 2011 at 5:30pm at Open Flight Studio in the University District

My husband and I in front of the
New York Public Library (NYPL) in
Winter 2009. The NYPL is one of
our favorite places in NY.

I will be visiting my family in New York from June 9 – 19, 2011. I can barely contain my excitement to  see my two little nephews, my older niece and nephews, my 92-year old spunky grandmother and mother. I haven't seen them in over a year.

Schedule during my vacation:

• No Thursday classes on June 9th and 16th
• No Sunday classes on June 11th and 18th

• YES! There WILL be class on Monday, June 13, 2011. My dear friend and Nia sister Gretchen Musgrove will teach this 5:30pm class. Come to class on Monday June 13th!

Classes at Community Fitness will proceed as scheduled. Gretchen will be teaching both Wednesday 5:30pm classes at the 65th Street Studio while I am away: June 8th and 15th. My other dear friend and Nia sister Jackie Thai will be teaching on Saturday June 18th at 1pm at the Roosevelt Studio location. Community Fitness will provide a sub for my class on Saturday June 11th as well.

Both Gretchen and Jackie are amazing teachers! I wish I could be there to dance with them!

Post-vacation - June 20th - June 30, 2011:
Regular classes resume on Monday, June 20th! Join me for my first class back in June 20th. I plan on learning some new songs while in NY and can’t wait to dance with you when I get back.

Please do not stop dancing while I am away ☺  If I could dance with you via Skype I would! I will miss dancing with you! Dance, dance, dance through life with joy!

With heartfelt gratitude for your continued support,
Jennifer

Memorial Day Weekend and Hawaii! Hawaii!! Hawaii!!!

A reminder of my limited teaching schedule this weekend:

Saturday, May 28, 2011
1:00pm at Community Fitness - Roosevelt location (Drop-in $12)
Join me for my first Saturday class at Community Fitness Roosevelt Studio!

Sunday, May 29, 2011
No class! Class resumes Sunday, June 5, 2011

Monday, May 30, 2011
Holiday! No class! Class resumes Monday, June 6, 2011

Normal schedule resumes on June 1st starting with:
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
5:30pm at Community Fitness - 65th Street location (Drop-in $12)
Come to Hawaii with me! February 4-9, 2012

4 more days to register early for the Nia and Belly Dance Hawaii Retreat!

"Belly Dance and Nia" Retreat:
February 4-9, 2012
6 Days 5 nights
Kalani Oceanside Retreat Center in Hawaii
with Delilah Flynn, Jennifer Lucero-Earle & Erik Brown

Website for retreat: http://www.delilahs-belly-dance-retreat.com/January2012-B/aboutretreat2012B.html

Early Registration and Savings – BEFORE May 31, 2011:
If you register with a $500 deposit before May 31st 2011, we can easily get you on an easy payment plan. This helps you and helps us block out enough rooms for our group far in advance so we can have a really fun retreat. For thinking ahead we will also give you a FREE extra night room and board (adding at the beginning of your retreat) for your personal rest and relaxation or adventurous spirit. Sign up before May 31st!


To register: http://www.delilahs-belly-dance-retreat.com/January2012-B/registration2012B.html

About the retreat
In this retreat Delilah Flynn (amazing belly dance instructor and dancer) and I will teach classes that will be welcoming to beginners of both belly dancing and Nia while also captivating for experienced dancers. Each day will include belly dancing, Nia, other movement exercises and live music. It is going to be divine.

For the full itinerary: http://www.delilahs-belly-dance-retreat.com/January2012-B/itinerary2012B.html

About Kalani Oceanside Retreat Center
The retreat will be held at the lovely Kalani Oceanside Retreat Center. Kalani is located on Hawaii Island, commonly known as the Big Island, and is bordered by tropical jungle and the Pacific Ocean. The facility has been in operation since 1982 providing natural spaces for teachers to share their arts and wisdom with folks from around the globe. It is a perfect environment for stopping the clock and escaping the pressures of our days and devote quality time to our bodies and our dance.

Kalani is located 45 minutes from the Hilo airport, out in the country on a on a tropical coastal road. Beautiful landscaped gardens with enchanting paths link the campus of dance rooms, lodging quarters, and a lovely dinning facility. There is a 25- meter pool, sauna, hot tubs, massage and healing studios, arty gift shop and the beach across the road.

Mmmmm the Dance Room
The dance room has a 2,100 square-foot sprung wood dance floor with mirrors and cathedral ceilings that allow the tropical breezes to surround us. Spacious bathrooms and showers are adjacent. It’s perfect for our intentions. Kalani is a place that once you have been to you will want to return again and again.

What does it cost?
Retreat Package Price (6 Day/5 Nights): $1399.00 includes:

• Shared lodge accommodation (private upgrades available)
• All meals: meat, veggie, no-lactose, or vegan
• Complementary glass of wine on our first and last night’s dinner
• Daily classes with Jennifer, Delilah & Erik
• Performances
• Facility use, 25 meter pool, Hot Tub, Sauna, Lovely Grounds all located Across the street from the Ocean.
• Promotional gifts, printed notes

The base Price of $1399.00 includes all the above amenities. Room upgrades are available although there are a limited amount of rooms in a variety of options reserved. Due to limited availability, it is best to reserve early.

Easy Payment Plan’s Offered:
1st payment $500 deposit -May 31!
For more about the payment plans: http://www.delilahs-belly-dance-retreat.com/January2012-B/prices2012B.html

Again, register with a $500 deposit before May, 31st 2011 and you get an FREE extra night room and board.

To register: http://www.delilahs-belly-dance-retreat.com/January2012-B/registration2012B.html

Retreat website: http://www.delilahs-belly-dance-retreat.com/January2012-B/aboutretreat2012B.html

I look forward to dancing with you in Hawaii!

The Dance of Yin and Yang and the Upper Extremities

The focus of tonight’s class is dancing with the energies of yin and yang with our upper extremities.

Nia is based on The Body's Way, which is a method of using the body according to its inherent design and function.

The Body's Way is guided by five fundamental principles, one of which is that the Body is balanced in Yin and Yang.

Indispensable and equally important, the body is comprised of both yin and yang energies.

Yin is the soft, feminine, inward-directed energy, manifested in smooth, melodic movements.

Yang is the harder, masculine, outward-directed energy, reflected in explosive, rhythmic movements.

We will work with sensing and dancing with both energies tonight. Join me at 6:30pm at Fresh Fitness and Dance in Wallingford.

Teaching Schedule May 25 - June 1 (Memorial Day Schedule)

Here is my teaching schedule for May 25 - June 1! I will be enjoying a little vacation (2 days off :) )

Wednesday, May 25, 2011
5:30pm at Community Fitness - 65th Street location (Drop-in $12)

Thursday, May 26, 2011
6:30pm at Fresh Fitness and Dance in Wallingford

Saturday, May 28, 2011
1:00pm at Community Fitness - Roosevelt location (Drop-in $12)

Sunday, May 29, 2011
No class! Class resumes Sunday, June 5, 2011

Monday, May 30, 2011
Holiday! No class! Class resumes Monday, June 6, 2011

Wednesday, June 1, 2011
5:30pm at Community Fitness - 65th Street location (Drop-in $12)

The Dance of the Forearms

The focus of tonight's class is movement of the forearm bones. The intent is to sense the spiraling action of these bones and how they add to the unique expression and conditioning of your upper extremities.

The Forearm Bones

I am the voice of your forearm bones – the spiral twins. I exist between your elbow and wrist. By name, I am radius and ulna. Follow your thumb and you ride along my radius. Follow the line of your little finger and you find my ulna. My bones are the only two bones in your body that can spiral around each other. My main function is to rotate your palm. I make it possible for you to push and pull with great power and little effort while protecting the shallow and delicate shoulder joint. You keep me healthy by turning your palms up, down, in and out.

- From the Nia Technique

Here is a student download on the forearms: http://nianow.com/sites/nianow.com/files/downloads/NiaEH_Forearms.pdf?download=1

We will explore palm directions, movements from the wrists, blocks, punches and painting the space with our arms, hands and fingers.

Join me tonight from 5:30pm - 6:30pm at Open Flight Studio in the University District.

Celebrate with a Double Dose of Nia

Today is a special day. It is my one year anniversary of when I did my Nia White Belt Intensive training to become a teacher. And 12 years ago today I met my husband. He has been my biggest fan and greatest support on my Nia journey and he is coming to dance with me at the Spring Jam this afternoon.

My heart is full. My spirit, body and mind are in a state of bliss. To celebrate, I am holding a free intro to Nia class this morning and teaching with 7 other amazing Nia instructors in the Nia Seattle Spring Jam. I can barely contain my excitement. I hope you will join us this afternoon!

The focus of this morning's free introduction to Nia class is principle number 1 of the white belt and the foundation of Nia: the Joy of Movement.

The Joy of Movement is not an emotional response but rather a physical sensation that is experienced through our body. It encourages us to embrace the body as it is and move in such a way as to create and sustain joy and pleasure.

"Joy is the primary sensation you should seek from all movement. If you momentarily lose joy, tweak your movement until joy again arises." from The Nia Technique book

Join me for this intro class from 10:30am - 11:30am at Delilah's Belly Dance Studio in Fremont.

Then, join us for the Nia Seattle Spring Jam where our focus will be on Unity!

Nia Spring Jam
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Theme: We R 1 -Promoting Unity Through Dance
When: Sunday, May 22, 2011 from 2pm – 4pm
Where: Mt Baker Community Club: 2811 Mt Rainier Dr S, Seattle, WA 98144 - Map
Fee: $20 at the door.
Questions: Contact Mollia Jensen at molliania@gmail.com

Jam Teachers include ME (yay!), Gretchen Musgrove, Susan Tate, Jena Hennessey, Jackie Thai, Sandra Caldwell (Nia Tacoma!), Wendy Chapman and jam juggling diva Mollia Jensen!

In times of chaos and uncertainty, when the world is shaken by earthquakes and demands for freedom are being shouted every where - that's a great time to get together and DANCE! NiaSeattle's annual spring jam is focusing on UNITY.

Bring your dancing feet and together we can help spread peace and unity one movement at a time.

In gratitude,
Jennifer

Upper Extremities and FAMMS

The focus of this morning’s class is consciously integrating the five sensations into the dance of our upper extremities. The five sensations are flexibility, agility, mobility, strength and stability or FAMSS. The intent is to experience the benefits of balanced movement in your body, which can be sensed as harmony.

Flexibility is the sensation of energy moving outward. It is free, open, elastic and expansive. It is the physical feeling of releasing power and is nurtured by opening your joints.

Agility is the sensation of starting and stopping the movement of energy. It is playful, stimulating and quick. It is cultivated and maintained by quickly starting and stopping a variety of movements.

Mobility is the sensation of energy in constant motion. It is fluid, constant, continuous, alive and free. Mobility is sensed as energy flowing in all directions using a variety of ranges of motion. It is cultivated and nurtured by opening and closing joints in a variety of ways without stopping.

Strength is the sensation of energy moving inward. It is concentrated, powerful, intense, internal and gripping. It is the sensation of containing and sustaining power.
Strength is sensed as a squeezing in or the packing of energy towards the bones.

Stability is the sensation of energy moving from center out all directions simultaneously. It is grounded, solid, calm, rooted, and connected to the earth. It is sensed as readiness for action - a relaxed and dynamic tension of harmony. Stability is nurtured by resting into stillness while seeking balance. It relies on relaxation, postural integration, and optimal alignment of the body.

Join me this morning for my last Saturday morning class at Open Flight Studio. Class from 10:30am – 11:30am. Come early to navigate around the University District Street Fair traffic!

*Next week, I begin my new classes at Community Fitness Roosevelt Studio - Saturday May 28th at 1pm.

The Joy of Movement and Sunshine!

The beautiful Sandra Caldwell, Nia Tacoma

It’s Friday and the forecast calls for abundant sunshine and a high of 72 degrees.

What could be a better class focus than the Joy of Movement?

Joy is the heart, source and inspiration of Nia.

The Joy of Movement is the very first principle of the white belt and the foundation of Nia.

“Joy is different than enjoyment. It is a quality of aliveness. It is an attitude that stops resisting and embraces the reality of the body as it is, and move with the body in such a way to create further joy and pleasure. When you allow this seed of light to sprout in you…you have a context in which to place the dance of your life. Joy is not a technique or choreographic method. It is an attitude toward the body and toward life. It is a reflection of honesty, truth, and health.” 

 From The Nia Technique

Join me tonight in joyfully expressing your aliveness through your dance. Class at 5:30pm at Open Flight Studio in the University District.

Showing The World How You Feel

The focus of tonight's class is expressing the energies of jazz through the arms and wrists. The intent is to show the world how you feel through the unique dance of your arms. The energy of jazz is fun, showmanship and expression.

The Voice of Jazz

To the emotional part of you I give you the freedom to show the world what you feel. I splash an outward expression on your face and body. Expression is my language. I silently talk to you using language that can be felt by others a mile away. When I am present goose bumps ride on the surface of your skin. Passion exudes from your hands and heart. I am your way into the world of expression that unmasks truth.

Excerpt from Nia Technique book.

Get ready to use your whole body, even your face and voice, to create the theatrical expression of Jazz!

Class from 6:30pm - 7:30pm at Fresh Fitness and Dance in Wallingford.

New Nia Student - Video

I love this video. It captures the essence of the Nia experience from a perspective of a new student.

If you haven't tried Nia yet, please join me on Sunday, May 22, 2011 for a FREE Intro to Nia class from 10:30am-11:30am at Delilah's Belly Dance Studio in Fremont.

And/or, join us for the annual Nia Seattle Spring Jam on May 22, 2011 from 2pm - 4pm at the Mt Baker Community Center in Seattle. Details on my Events page.



Thanks to Jill Campana for sharing this video on Facebook. I don't know the origin of the video yet but once I do I will add a credit.

Free-Spirited Harmonious Movement

The focus of tonight’s class is infusing the movement of our upper extremities with the energies of Aikido and Duncan Dance. Combined, these become free-spirited harmonious movement.

The energy of Aikido is the dance of harmony and elegance.
The energy of Duncan Dance is free-spirited and graceful.

When the two merge, we have the dance of harmonious, elegant, graceful, free-spirited, playful, uninhibited and honest full-body expression.

We play with circles, spirals, and spontaneous movement.  We not only blend with the space but we converse with it using our bodies.

What these two movements forms have in common is harmony. We allow our hands, finger, wrist, arm, shoulder, and chest movements to originate from this place of harmony and joy.

Open your imagination and join me for class tonight from 5:30pm – 6:30pm at Open Flight Studio in the University District.

Aikido and Upper Extremities

The focus of this morning's class is infusing our movements of the upper extremities with the energy of Aikido: the dance of harmonious spherical motion.

The energy of Aikido asks us to integrate circles, spirals and harmony into our movements with our arms, hands, wrists, fingers, and shoulders. We focus awareness on our hara (power center - lower belly) and practice moving our upper extremities from this center. We are blend our movements within our own bodies and with the space around us.

Join me at 10:30am at Delilah's Belly Dance Studio in Fremont.

Healing and Dancing with the Upper Extremities

TODAY: Nia 5 Stages Playshop: Upper Extremities 

Saturday, May 14, 2011 – 9:30am - 11:30am at Open Flight Studio in the University District

(regular scheduled Nia class begins at 10:30am and is open to everyone! You do not need to come to the first hour on the Nia 5 Stages to attend regular class but you are certainly invited to do so.)

Please give yourself plenty of time to get to class and do not park on University Way due to the University District Street Fair festivities. 

The focus of today's playshop is the upper extremities. The intent is to explore healing sensations and the range of movements possible with our upper extremities. In Nia, healing is not about curing but about tweaking our movements until we find comfort, pleasure and ease. 

The Nia 5 Stages of self-healing is an integrative practice based on the five stages of human development: embryonic, creeping, crawling, standing and walking. This workshop is dedicated to self-healing and to the using these five movements as stimulation to feel better in your body.

When the body moves through the Nia 5 Stages, the body, mind, emotions, and spirit naturally realign, unify and integrate, leaving a greater sense of wholeness, health and well-being. Developed as a practice, these stages lead to changes that improve one's physical comfort, ability to move efficiently, and improvement in whole body functioning and posture.

The upper extremities of the body include the fingers, hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, upper arms, shoulder joints, collarbones, and shoulder blade.

During this 120-minute playshop, we will explore how the upper extremities of the body are supported and activated in each of the five stages through the sensations of flexibility, agility, mobility, strength and stability. 

We will then experience an hour-long Nia routine that focuses on the movements from the upper extremities. The routine we will be working with is Velvet. Listen to the music of Velvet. 

Relaxed, Alert and Waiting (RAW)

Embryonic

Creeping

Crawling

Standing

Walking

Jazz'n it up on Friday the 13th

The focus of tonight's class is infusing the dance of upper extremities with the energy of Jazz. The intent is connect with our inner showman/showgirl. Liven up your arm, hand and finger moves with a little snap, crackle and pop!

Class from 5:30pm - 6:30pm at Open Flight Studio in the University District. 

Dancing to Velvet

Last Thursday we explored using our hands as sensory messengers.

The focus of tonight’s class is to continue this exploration and to begin using the hands to direct energy. We'll do this through engaging in movement of:

• the fingers through finger extensions, finger flicks, creepy crawlers, and catching flies,
• the hands through palm directions, webbed spaces, chops and touch, and
• the arms through blocks and strikes.

The intent is to teach you to use your hands to connect your upper body with your lower body, conditioning your upper body, protecting your joints, engaging your core and increasing awareness of using your hands in choreography.

We'll use imagery, sound, and the sensation of touch to dance with our hands.

We will be exploring movement with the Nia routine Velvet. The music from this routine is melodic, rhythmic, stimulating, playful and sensuous.

Listen to the music of Velvet.

Join me in bringing movement to life through your hands.

Class is from 6:30pm – 7:30pm at Fresh Fitness and Dance in Wallingford.

Directing Energy from Upper Extremities

The focus of tonight’s class is directing energy from the upper extremities. The intent is to keep our arms and hands alive and thoroughly engaged as we move.

An example is to direct your energy and movement from your elbow. Sense your elbow, initiate movement from your elbow and feel the energy movement out from the elbow.

We will use our arms and hands to direct energy away from the body, into the body, down to the earth, up to the sky and to explore the space around us. We will keep our movement steady and flowing by using intention, emotion and imagery.

I am currently working with various songs from the routine Velvet and have included songs from other routines that engage the arms, hands, fingers, wrists and shoulders.

Join me tonight for a meaningful and energetic dance of your upper extremities. Class is from 5:30pm – 6:30pm at Open Flight Studio in the University District.

Nia is a Shining Light

This video was shared with me by several of my Nia colleagues across the globe. It light's up my day! Enjoy!

Nurturing through Upper Extremities

The focus of this morning’s class is the sensation of nurturing our bodies through our upper extremities. The intent is to explore, through movement and childlike curiosity, ways we can provide comfort, love, strength, joy and pleasure to our bodies using our arms, hands, and fingers.

We will experience strength through martial arts movements, pleasure and playfulness through the dance arts and comfort and ease through the healing arts.

As long as we choose it, all of the above will deliver joy and love.

Happy Mother’s Day to all who have give their loves to mothering children, students, peers, pets and the Earth.

Let’s dance! Nia Sunday morning 10:30am at Delilah’s Belly Dance Studio in Fremont.

Finger Expression

The focus of this morning’s class is our fingers. The intent is to connect with the unique energy of each finger.

Our fingers move and direct energy of the arms. They also wake up the intrinsic muscles inside the hands and arms.

I love this excerpt from the Nia Technique book: “Your fingers, like wands, are magical tools.” I love to call my fingers magical wands.

Each finger represents a unique expression:

Thumb – Nurture
Index – Desire
Middle – Balance
Ring – Commitment
Pinky – Boundaries









Join me for a dance of your fingers. Class from 10:30am – 11:30am at Open Flight Studio in the University District.

Give yourself plenty of time to get to class today due to the Windermere Cup traffic.

Palm Directions

The focus of tonight’s class is palm directions. The intent is to work the arms by initiating simple movements with the palms of our hands.

When we rotate the palm in different directions it works the wrist joint, forearm, elbow joint, upper arm bone, shoulder joint and chest. The creative movement possibilities are endless!

The directions of our palms also affects our breath (via the shoulder joints opening or closing). Try this at home:
Take a breath in with your palms up.
Pause.
Then take a breath in with your palms down.
Did you notice a difference?
Was your breathing deeper with palms up or down.

I invite you to join me tonight *high five* in dancing with your palms. Class is from 5:30pm - 6:30pm at Open Flight Studio in the University District.

Hands as Sensory Messengers

The focus of tonight’s class is our hands. The intent is to consciously direct the flow of energy through our bodies and our dance.

We use our hands to sense, touch, feel, explore the space around us, to express emotion, and direct energy throughout our bodies.

By intentionally and energetically using our hands in Nia, we engage more of our arms and upper body thus gaining greater muscle definition, flexibility, and strength without the use of weights.

I love to dance with my hands. I enjoy the sensation of wiggling my fingers, playing with palms directions, rotating and flexing my wrists and fingers and making spirals with my arms using my hands. Most of all I adore the sensation of touch. I am grateful that my hands allow me to experience the delicious sensation of soft fabrics, a warm clean smooth floor, water, leaves, skin, a soft teddy bear, a piece of fruit, a cotton ball, etc. I could go on and on.

Below is an excerpt from the Nia student handout on the hands:
http://nianow.com/sites/nianow.com/files/downloads/NiaEH_Hands.pdf?download=1

“Like the feet, your hands are the only other body parts that are constantly and physically in touch with the world around you. As sensory messengers, your hands are a great resource for connecting and conditioning your whole body. The hands, which include ten fingers, palms, and inner and outer arches, together with the joints of your wrists, two forearms, elbow joints, and upper arm bones, are all a part of the upper extremities you use to creatively express yourself.

Unique to the hand is a thumb, which makes it possible for you to grab, hold, catch, grasp, throw, push, pull, tear, caress, wipe, juggle, toss, plant, build things, and make love. You keep the hands healthy by using them based on their design.

A fanlike structure, the palms of your hands are designed to fully open and close, moving with mobility and flexibility in strong, stable and agile ways. Tentaclelike, your fingers are designed to wiggle, bend and extend. When used individually, fingers can direct energy to increase flexibility, strength, and balance. Each finger connects you to a specific emotional energy. By integrating the hands into your movement, you greatly reduce the build up of stress that can occur in the neck and shoulders when the hands are allowed to dangle and be carried by the trunk.

Integrate your hands in everything you do to sense dynamic ease, moving from the core and balancing the top, bottom, left and right sides of your body.”

Join me tonight for an energetic exploration with our hands. Class from 6:30pm - 7:30pm at Fresh Fitness and Dance in Wallingford.

Nia 5 Stages Playshop: Upper Extremities

Playshop Flyer

Nia 5 Stages Playshop: Upper Extremities

Saturday, May 14, 2011 – 9:30am - 11:30am

(regular scheduled Nia class begins at 10:30am and is open to everyone)

Location: Open Flight Studio, 4205 University Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98105

Cost: $17 for the 2-hour workshop

Download and share the playshop flyer to the right.

To register, please email me at jennifer@everybodyloveyourbody.com

The Nia 5 Stages of self-healing is an integrative practice based on the five stages of human development: embryonic, creeping, crawling, standing and walking. This workshop is dedicated to self-healing and to the using these five movements as stimulation to feel better in your body.

When the body moves through the Nia 5 Stages, the body, mind, emotions, and spirit naturally realign, unify and integrate, leaving a greater sense of wholeness, health and well-being. Developed as a practice, these stages lead to changes that improve one's physical comfort, ability to move efficiently, and improvement in whole body functioning and posture.

The upper extremities of the body include the fingers, hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, upper arms, shoulder joints, collarbones, and shoulder blade.

During this 120-minute playshop, we will explore how the upper extremities of the body are supported and activated in each of the five stages through the sensations of flexibility, agility, mobility, strength and stability. We will then experience an hour-long Nia routine that focuses on the movements from the upper extremities.

Relaxed, Alert and Waiting (RAW)

Embryonic

Creeping

Crawling

Standing

Walking

The Sensation of our Upper Extremities

The focus of tonight’s class is the sensation of all of our upper extremities. The intent is to explore how we express ourselves with our fingers, hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, upper arms, shoulder joints, collarbones, and shoulder blade.

The Voice of The Arms, Hands and Fingers

"To the physical part of you I offer a way to touch, hug, and love. I am to you, like the branches of a tree. When you desire, I reach out to fulfill your wishes and wantings. When you are scared, I hold you tenderly. When you need love, I openly touch and caress you.

To the mental part of you I offer a way to outwardly express what you are thinking and imagining. When your thoughts are free, I am open and relaxed, available to sensations of life. When your thoughts are rigid and fearful I become tight and bound, locked into a solid form. When your thoughts are free to move, to expand, and to dream, I am agile, strong, and powerfully available to help you create.

To the emotional part of you I offer visual aids for expressing what you feel. As you open to what is moving inside of you, I will respond without needing any thought. I act as you feel. I respond as you feel. I gesture and speak without words as you feel. I follow your feelings and create by design symbols of body gesture.

My energy is magic and fills you either with the power of lightning to become strong, or liquid to become full and soft. My divine essence allows you to hold space for yourself and for others through the magic of touch.

Use me and I will support you in bringing more joy and clarity into your life. Use me and discover the joy of play. Awaken to my endless possibilities."

Adapted from Nia Technique Book.

In tonight’s class we will broadly explore our unique sensation of our upper extremities. Over the next four weeks we will explore each of the upper extremities and associated Nia movements in more depth. Tonight we will play with a variety of songs from different routines and I will be introducing three new songs from the routine, Velvet.

Join me tonight from 5:30pm – 6:30pm at Open Flight Studio in the University District.

Nia Benefit Class Photo

Thanks to all who came out tonight to dance and support Nia community member, Gina Chapman, in raising money for the Susan G Komen 3-day Walk for Cure! 100% of the proceeds went to the Susan G Komen Foundation.

Our class focus was on honoring the feminine through opening the chest. It was a wonderful class and we even danced with scarves!

The Group

Kim, Gina, Gretchen and Jennifer

New Beginnings and Honoring the Feminine Spirit

Today is double Nia day! This morning I begin weekly Sunday a.m. classes at Delilah’s Belly Dance Studio in Fremont (10:30am) and am thrilled to be co-teaching a special benefit class with Gretchen Musgrove tonight from 4pm – 5pm at the Civetta Dance Space Studio in Greenwood.

Today is May Day. The old Celtic name for May Day is Beltane. May Day/Beltane mark the mid-way point between the seasons of spring and summer. It is considered a time of rebirth, new beginnings, fertility, and celebration of abundance in nature after a long winter. In ancient times, Beltane marked the beginning of summer.

It is fitting that the forecast calls for abundant sunshine and warmth. I hope that the day is auspicious for my new Sunday teaching schedule!

The focus of this morning’s class is the celebration of new beginnings. The intent is to bless and honor the space (Delilah’s) so that Nia can grow and flourish there.

Beltane is often celebrated with a bonfire. We will not be lighting any real fires in class this morning but I anticipate we will generate heat and inner fire!

Class is from 10:30am – 11:30am at Delilah’s Belly Dance Studio in Fremont.

The benefit class tonight will be held to support our friend and Nia student, Gina Chapman, in her goal to do the Susan G. Komen 3-day Breast Cancer Walk.

The evening’s class focus is on honoring the feminine by opening the chest. The chest protects and nurtures the heart and is also the center of our heart energy. It is where we perceive love originates.

Join Gretchen and I as we lovingly facilitate a class to honor the heart-centered feminine Spirit.

Class is $15 and will be held from 4pm – 5pm at the Civetta Dance Space in Greenwood.

Happy Dancing!