Nia-Belly with Jennifer Earle and Delilah
2 Separate Nia-Belly Workshops offered on two days:
- Sunday, May 13, 2012
- Sunday, May 20, 2012
Time: 12:00pm - 4:30pm
Where: Delilah's Belly Dance Studio, 4128 Fremont Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103
Cost per workshop is $89 or $79 with 7-day advance registration.
Pay online anytime $89
*This is not a series. This is the same workshop offered on three different dates.
This is a 1/2 day introduction to two fascinating movement arts. Nia and belly dance are a marvelous mix of intentional body movement that complement each other in this day and age. Combined, they offer an experience of rejuvenation and feminine feeling of life empowerment and self-expression that fully engages all the senses, the mind, body, heart and spirit. Both Nia and belly dance are done bare foot and can be adapted for all ages, levels and abilities. Men are also welcome.
In this extraordinary half-day workshop you will be introduced to the rudiments of the classical art of belly dance and Nia from a perspective of their natural properties of vibration, wave patterns, energy engagement and free dance.
Equipment will be provided to use in class; weight belts, hip scarves, veils and more. Wear comfortable clothing like for yoga class. Wear layers are good because we will move in and out of movement and conversation during the 4 hours.
Bring a snack.
Nia-Belly workshop schedule
12:00 Registration; talk and pass out belly dance gear.
12:30pm – 2pm Workshop begins with the beginning rudiments of Belly Dance
2:00-2:15 Break
2:15pm – 2:45 Nia Basics
3:00-3:50 Nia Workout
3:50-4:30 Nia-Belly Integration and Closing Ritual
NIA Meets BELLY by Delilah Flynn
Delilah is a world renowned belly dancer. Jennifer Earle is a certified Nia instructor. This year they have teamed up and have been combining their expertise in retreats in Hawaii and half day workshops in Seattle; And with some incredibly pleasing results. The combination of these two empowering movement forms are especially rejuvenating for the female spirit.
What’s Nia you might ask? Nia is a sensory based practice that combines 9 different movement modalities and philosophies; (Tai Chi, Tae Kwon Do, and Aikido), Dance Arts (Jazz, Modern, and Duncan), and Healing Arts (the work of Moshe Feldenkrais, the Alexander Technique, and Yoga). With a deep philosophy rooted in celebrating one's body and expressing one's uniqueness. It's easy to follow and it works the entire body from the core.
Belly Dance gives us the personal place to access individual self expression and the common bonds that women share with each other. The costuming provides creative opportunity, color and a sense of play and celebration of living in a women’s body.
Delilah’s Notes as instructor and student:
About our first Nia-Belly retreat in February 2012 - In these 6 days we were able to really give participants new to one form or the other (or both), a full appreciation and working access toward each art form. As a third course benefit everyone would agree was the deep connection we made together with the dancing in nature aspects (this is a genre I’ve personally pioneered throughout the 22 years I have been holding retreats in Hawaii). What better place to introduce these practices than Kalani Oceanside Retreat on the Big Island of Hawaii! It is all about living in harmony with nature. The atmosphere of sun, water, sea breeze and fragrant jungle is so special. The sounds provide a natural cacophony of movement inspiration. Then add a ney and/or deff and beauty abounds.
As a student I am brand new to Nia and I really love it (and, I love the way Jennifer teaches it!). This is why I asked her to be a guest at my annual retreat this past year, so I could personally learn more about it! I could not believe how compatible it is relation to belly dance. It's deep, integral and strong. I want belly dancers to move from those places. Nia is much more than aerobics, very different from Zumba. It’s been around since the early 80's and it’s co-founder Debbie Rosas is a pretty inspiring woman you can look up online. There is philosophy and life principals to it, as well as movement.
In my approach to belly dance, I start with basic alignment and core initiation, so we can activate movements from the inside. The lessons I teach encourage the entire body to wake up and be inside the present moment at hand so the dancer has clear control of her bodies movement. This leads us to a sense of self empowerment and a greater overall feeling of security. Not just in dance but in our daily lives. Nia is another tool to achieve that illuminated awareness.
In this years Jennifer was brand new to belly dance, just like I was new to Nia. It was fun to feel her excitement about discovering real belly dance. She's got the belly dance bug now for sure. She is determined to learn more techniques in between retreats. Then, when next years retreat arrives in February 2013, she can get another extra thick dose of belly dance skills that comes with a daily concentrated classes and relaxed retreat environment. And I'll learn more about Nia by then too!
Another aspect to remark on was how the belly dancers who were new to Nia loved the cross training aspect Nia gives by way of leg kicks. They liked the awesome rich original music Nia uses too. The Nia dancers were intrigued with the belly isolation work that was new to them. They giggled a lot when I would amp up the exhibitionism a bit and play with my audience.
I liked the use of Martial Arts style vocalizations at a couple intervals in the Nia choreographies. I feel it really integrates the body and the spirit.
Important: All of us need to occupy our bodies more these days. The demands of our daily modern life are pulling us father and farther away from being truly in our bodies. We are multitasking almost all day long and really not connecting all that well.
Do you know what I mean? The format of a retreat (different from a festival or hotel convention) can really bring you back to your center.
The half day Nia-Belly workshops are coming up in May. Jennifer and I are really looking forward to co-teaching. I hope this article serves to encourage dancers to find a certified Nia instructor in your area, or sign up for our retreat in Hawaii next February 10-16 2013. Aloha.
- Delilah
