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.

Strengthening Your Core

"All we actually have is our body and its muscles that allow us to be under our own power."

- Allegra Kent

The focus of this morning’s class is working with the core muscles of our body. The intent is to develop strength in our core.

In Nia, the core of the body is referred to as the pelvis, chest and head, also called the three body weights. We will not be focusing on these body weights. Instead, we will just focus on our midsection; the area of the body that includes the torso, belly, abdominal muscles, the mid back and lower back.

Strength in the core provides support and alignment for the spine and bones, affects our posture, and assists us in infusing movement with dynamic energy and power. It also helps us to resist force as it comes at us but we won’t have to deal with that dynamic in our Nia class!

Join me this morning in developing this powerful part of the body. A strong core strengthens not only our entire body but also our will!

Class is from 11am-12pm at Fresh Fitness and Dance in Wallingford.