Dance of the Eagle

This evening Liziah and I co-lead our second Stretch and Fly Yoga Dance class. Our class focus tonight was the "Dance of the Eagle: Spreading Our Wings." We shared the following poem before class and during savasana.

Art by Willow Arlenea from: http://www.designsbywillow.com/

Eagle Poem  

by Joy Harjo

To pray you open your whole self  

To sky, to earth, to sun, to moon

To one whole voice that is you.

And know there is more

That you can't see, can't hear

Can't know except in moments

Steadily growing, and in languages

That aren't always sound but other

Circles of motion.

Like eagle that Sunday morning

Over Salt River. Circled in blue sky

In wind, swept our hearts clean

With sacred wings.

We see you, see ourselves and know

That we must take the utmost care

And kindness in all things.

Breathe in, knowing we are made of

All this, and breathe, knowing

We are truly blessed because we

Were born, and die soon, within a

True circle of motion,

Like eagle rounding out the morning

Inside us.

We pray that it will be done

In beauty.

In beauty.

"Eagle Poem" by Joy Harjo, from In Mad Love and War.

© Wesleyan University Press, 1990

Stretch and Fly Yoga Dance - The Dance of the Eagle

When: Friday, October 26, 2012 

Time: 7:30pm - 8:50pm 

Where: The Dance Space in Greenwood - 124 N 103rd Street, Seattle, WA 98133 

Cost: $15 

Class focus: Dance of the Eagle - Spreading Our Wings

Description: 
Open to everyone, this 80-minute class blends gentle and accessible yoga poses with simple dance moves. The first half of class is done standing and the last half on a yoga mat. Join us and allow your body, heart, mind and spirit to stretch and fly! No previous yoga or dance experience necessary. Bring a yoga mat if you have one and water. 

Stretch and Fly Yoga Dance will be held fourth Fridays through 2012 at The Dance Space in Greenwood from 7:30pm - 8:50pm and are $15 drop-in. 

2012 dates: October 26, November 23 and December 28. 

Stay tuned for 2013 schedule.  

Heaven 37

This morning I had the great pleasure of celebrating my birthday sharing what I love with people I love. I began my day, as I do each Sunday, teaching a Nia class at Balance Studio in Fremont. As I opened the class I shared with everyone that several years ago I began naming my birthdays - ex. "Opening doors in 34, Thrive 35, Bliss 36 and Heaven 37" for this year ahead.

Each year, as with a Nia class, I set a focus for myself. Last year, for Bliss 36, my focus was "finding my voice." I made great strides in finding my voice this past year, especially as a teacher. I learned to express myself from a deeper place of honesty, bravery and authenticity. I learned to harness the power of sound in my classes and that magic has spilled over into all areas of my life. I am not afraid to speak up, to make wild and crazy sounds in class and to stop using my voice when the power of silence is more appropriate.

This year, my theme is still taking shape but it is "manifesting my dreams through sharing my gifts."
So for class this morning, our focus was on the collective sharing of our gifts. I found this quote in the book "Journey Through the Gaian Tarot" by Joanna Powell Colbert:.."When the flame of creativity is shared, all benefit and no one single fire is diminished. Passions shared and combined can create a bonfire big enough to light up the entire sky." I added, also from the same book: "I spark creativity in others while tending my own creative flame."

Before we danced everyone wrote, on a small index card, one gift they wanted to share with the world. Then we each placed our gifts on an altar that contained a candle and a fire and ice rainbow quartz. Here are the gifts shared:

"I share my creative spirit and joy of movement." 

"I radiate healing, creativity and passion throughout the world."

"The gift of flight."

"Open heart and space to express fully."

"Dwelling in joy with nature."

"Energy!"

"The gift of understanding, peace and encouragement."

"Playfulness."

"Fun."

"Celebration of everyone's unique being-ness."

Then we danced my birthday playlist:

Pirates - Deep Dive Corp. - from the Nia routine Beyond
Sun Is Shining - ReUnited - from the Nia routine Vibe
Sweeter Love - Blue Six - from the Nia routine Sexi
Sufani- Gaudi - from the Nia routine Canta
Drumming Up a Storm - Bob Holroyd - from the Nia routine AO
Dougoulanta - Adham Shaikh - from the Nia routine Beyond
Shine - Joshua - from the Nia routine R1
Shivaratri - Benjy Wertheimer & John de Kadt

My body, mind, heart and spirit are full. I am grateful for this life and humbly and vulnerably vow to honor and share my gifts this year and to be a champion for others as they share their gifts as well.

I could not have had a greater start to my 37th year.

Thank you for sharing your Joy with me and continuing to allow me to share what I love with you.

Jennifer

Receiving Healing from the Body - A Practice

Nia 5 Stages of Self-Healing 5-Week Series - Receiving Healing from the Body

When: Sundays - October 14, October 21, October 28, November 4 and November 11, 2012 

Time: 5:00pm - 6:00pm 

Where: The Dance Space in Greenwood - 124 N 103rd Street, Seattle, WA 98133 

Cost: $50 for the 5-week series or $13 drop-in

To Register: email me to reserve your spot at jennifer@everybodyloveyourbody.com 

Contact me with any questions about this series: jennifer@everybodyloveyourbody.com  

Description:

The Nia 5 Stages is an integrative practice based on the five stages of human development: embryonic, creeping, crawling, standing and walking.

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.

This 5-week series will introduce you to the Nia 5 Stages and emphasizes how this practice allows us to receive healing from the body.
Watch the Nia 5 Stages: