From Stability Comes Balance

The focus of tonight’s class is discovering the balance that comes from the sensation and dance of stability.

Stability is the sensation of stillness and relaxation. We discover balance by relaxing the joints.


Stability is the sensation of energy moving from the center out in 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.

Losing Stability is sensed as weakness and a loss of balance and support. Without Stability, the body could not move safely and would become overly stimulated and unhealthy.

On another level, we are better able to cultivate balance in our lives when there is stability present. Think about how your dance tonight can nurture and deepen stability in your interior life.

In tonight’s class we will discover the balance and support that comes from sensing stability in the body: by equalizing muscular contraction and relaxation and sensing the calmness in the muscles combined with readiness for action.

Class at 5:30pm at Community Fitness 65th Street Studio.

Savoring the Sweetness, Dancing my Fullness

In Brooklyn

I am back and ready to dance!

While on vacation visiting family in NYC I had high hopes to dance and learn some new songs and moves. I was able to dance only twice with NY Nia colleagues Jason Alan Griffin and Rachel Duvall. Instead, I spent nearly every day eating, walking, eating some more (including large daily doses of dessert) and walking some more and chasing after my little nephews.

I would not have traded this experience for the world. I had a stimulating and restful (yes, both) vacation with my husband. My one word to summarize this vacation: Sweetness.

We came home late last night and are enjoying easing back into our life in Seattle.

I have been looking forward to teaching tonight for days! In the spirit of coming home, the focus of tonight’s class is dancing your fullness. I am at home. I am happy. I feel full of life, sweetness and joy.

Tonight I invite you to find whatever fills you up and dance from that place. We will pick up where we left off working from music and moves from the latin-inspired routine, Aya.

Bring your bare feet and playful spirit to class tonight from 5:30pm – 6:30pm at Open Flight Studio in the University District.

*A special thank you to my Nia Seattle colleagues Gretchen Musgrove, Jill Pagano and Jackie Thai for covering some of my classes while I was away. I only wish I had been there to dance with you!

Class Schedule June 8 - June 20

Schedule while I am on vacation:

• Wednesday, June 8, 2011 - Gretchen Musgrove is covering my 5:30pm class at Community Fitness 65th Street Studio
• No class on Thursday, June 9, 2011
• Saturday, June 11, 2011 - Jill Pagano is covering my 1:00pm class at Community Fitness Roosevelt Studio
• No class on Sunday June, 12, 2011
• Monday, June 13, 2011 - Gretchen Musgrove is covering my 5:30pm class at Open Flight Studio in the University District
• Wednesday, June 15, 2011 - Gretchen Musgrove is covering my 5:30pm class at Community Fitness 65th Street Studio
• No class on Thursday, June 16, 2011
• Saturday, June 18, 2011 - Jackie Thai is covering my 1:00pm class at Community Fitness Roosevelt Studio
• No class on Sunday June, 19, 2011

My regular class schedule resume (with me teaching!) on Monday June 20, 2011 starting with my 5:30pm class at Open Flight Studio in the University District.

I don't plan on taking any other time off this Summer. Let's dance through this season of light and warmth together.

With my nephew - 2008

I am looking forward to seeing and spending quality time with my family but will definitely miss dancing with you.

I may provide updates from New York on my blog and/or Facebook. Please feel free to check both.

Dancing with you in Spirit,
Jennifer

Joy of Movement and Dancing Together in Community

The focus of tonight's class is the Joy of movement and dancing together in community.

This will be my last class before I leave for vacation to NYC. Come dance your joyful self with me!

Class tonight Monday June 6 at 5:30pm at Open Flight Studio in the University District.

*I will be back in Seattle with my regular teaching schedule on Monday, June 20th!

The Dance of Stability

The focus of this morning's class the dance of Stability. The intent is to find peace and relaxation while dancing to the music.

Stability grows from the ground up and is sensed as calmness in the entire body. As you dance, sense your muscles and joints moving in harmony. Make sure both of your feet move with ease, creating the Stability needed for the rest of the body to dance with grace and peace. Pay attention to your breathing; always seek relaxed breathing, even when exerting your body.

A reminder that there is no class on Sunday June 12 and Sunday June 19. Class resumes on Sunday, June 26, 2011!

I am looking forward to dancing with you this morning! 10:30am at Delilah’s Belly Dance Studio in Fremont.

Composing Bliss with the Body

The focus of tonight’s class is composing bliss with your body. The intent is to connect with the sensation of pleasure throughout your dance so that you experience bliss through movement.

I was inspired to use this as tonight’s class focus by today’s posting at DailyOm.com. The post is titled “Composing Bliss: Poetry as Meditation” and it spoke to me.

Here is an excerpt: “Sculpting your thoughts into a poem can take you on a journey where your conscious mind is momentarily cast adrift.”
Read the post here.

I believe we can create poetry with our bodies through our dance. Nia can be a powerful catalyst for creativity in movement and opening to bliss!

We will continue working with the routine Aya but shift the sensation from the hips to body bliss.

Leave your mind behind and join me tonight to discover somatic bliss. Class at 6:30pm at Fresh Fitness and Dance in Wallingford.

Hips Don’t Lie

The focus of tonight’s class is movement with our hips. The intent is to find ease as we experience both the mobility and stability with the hip joint.

The hip joint is a ball and socket joint. The head of the femur forms the “ball” and inserts into the socket of the pelvis. The ball shape allows for mobility in many directions, while the depth of the socket provides stability.

According to the founders of Nia: Healthy hip joints are vital to fluidity and power in your legs. When your hip joints move freely, your pelvis and thighbones can work together to support you in any range of motion.

To celebrate my upcoming trip back to my home city of the Bronx in NYC, I will be teaching songs from the latin-inspired routine, Aya. This is by far one of my favorite routines and it definitely reminds me of home and my latin roots. Get ready to move your hips tonight!

Here is a little taste of Aya from a Nia Dance Break I participated in last year in Portland:



Class at 5:30pm at Community Fitness 65th Street Studio. Drop-in for $12!