52 Moves - Nia Playshop on Sunday, March 11th,

from 1 to 3pm

at Island Pilates Studio

click for map to studio

$25

This 2 hour playshop will focus on learning

the 52 moves of Nia with attention to detail, function, and

following The Body's Way.

"Whaddya mean there are only 52 moves in Nia?

I've been doing hundreds!"

The 52 moves are the foundation of Nia  They come from all 9 movement forms which Nia is created from, and are designed to be performed in The Body's Way.  Why the capital letters there?  Because we each have our own body's way of doing the moves, and then there is the way that is most efficient, safe, and health-promoting - The Body's Way.

Think of when we are in class and using a movement that is "toes out, toes in".  I'm cueing you to move that from the hip socket, moving the leg from the thigh bone, not just the toes.  This is so that your movement will not place unneeded, and unhealthy, stress on the ligaments of the knee joint.  This is one example of using The Body's Way to enjoy a move with your own level of intensity, adding personal expression in ways that won't pull on the knee in ways that aren't healthy.

The best reasons I can think of for you to consider taking this playshop:

 You will get more out of your regular Nia classes. 

You'll have the ability to transition in and out of moves more easily,having practiced the individual moves that can fly by pretty quickly when we're deep intothe middle of a routine, keeping up with the beat.  You'll have more variations available to youfor changing your own intensity levels - adding intensity without having to add more force.

I'm keeping the class small so that you can get hands on guidance to align your body in The Body's Way of the moves.

You'll have time to ask questions about your own body's way within the moves. This isn't about correction or getting it perfect, but it is about taking time to focus on how the moves of Nia were designed to create a safe, healthy, awesome movement practice.

It'll be a great workout!

Just like in a Nia class, you will move everything you've got, but with attention to the detailed landscape of your own body.  We'll be in the Pilates Studio on Cliffe Street, which has great mirrors to check out your alignment - observing without judgement!  Without mirrors it can be hard to tell if our head is above our chest and our chest above our pelvis.  Here we'll be able to see the alignment, and then learn how it feels in the body.  When we go back to our weekly classes, we'll have that sensation memory to help guide our alignment again.

There are 12 open spots for this playshop, and it's open to everyone including first-timers.  This might be the perfect way to introduce someone you know to Nia.

Register by paying $25, cash or cheque, to me,

Ann Marie Lisch.

I will let you know when the class fills, or if there are spaces open for you to drop-in at the last minute.

A minimum of 8 participants are required, so I'll also let you know if it looks like it's not going to make it.

Contact me at 250-336-0238 or annienia@yahoo.ca with any questions.

Hope to see you there!

Moving With Spirit: Befriending the Body

I'm excited to start another year of Nia, deepening into the practice of moving and sensing and coming alive.  I've been studying Body Mind Psychotherapy since last September, and am looking forward to the workshop possibilities coming up this year with Denise Nadeau, a dance therapist who lives in Royston.

There is an 8 week session Embodiment Practice group starting on January 10th at 6:30pm.  The series is titled Moving with Spirit: Befriending the Body and will use a variety of practices to deepen your awareness of sensation in your body.  We'll connect the elements to the systems of the body - the bones as earth, the breath as wind, etc - and explore ways to move the body in ways that open new awareness on al levels.

Why is this important work to do?  I find this work is essential in helping me to keep finding new developmental edges in my movement in Nia classes and in life in general.  I am more available to listen to others, more able to release my own emotional knee-jerk reactions when dealing with my teenage daughter (and dude, that's golden), more able to soften into the embrace of someone who loves me and yield into the love that's all around.  Sound too woo-woo? Maybe.  Is it effective in changing how I am able to move through the world, in all the aspects of my life?  Absolutely.

The first two nights of the series are open to all, so you can drop in and try it out to get a feel for whether or not it's something you'd like to continue with.  The cost is a sliding scale system, so that you can pay according to your own income.  For all 8 sessions the cost is $96 to $160, and drop-ins for the first two sessions are from $12 to $20.

If you'd like more specific information, don't hesitate to contact me through email annienia(at)yahoo.ca or at 250-336-0238.  You can also contact Denise Nadeau directly at dnadeau(at)shaw.ca.

Deepening into the year

Welcome back to September!

In terms of Nia this means new classes starting, new sessions beginning, and new music and moves.

I recently attended a 4 day training workshop for Body Mind Psychotherapy, a step on my journey to becoming a Movement Therapist, and I'm bringing that new knowledge to class with me as part of my continuing development as a Nia teacher.

The new routine is called Humanity, another great Carlos-created routine.  There are many chances to play with yin and yang, slow and fast, and sharp and soft. 

You can listen to the music online by clicking here and then clicking on "Preview Music."  There are a few additions, of course, to fill out the time we spend dancing together, and to keep each week's experience fresh. 

I look forward to the beginning of another session of teaching Nia, and dancing in community with you, and letting the heart play.

Back to Nia with Cadence

This week we finally get back to Nia with a new Carlos routine called Cadence.  The great playlist for this routine fits with my summer vibe of ease.  Sure we'll work up a sweat, but the overall intention is to move with ease and openness - the lightness of a summer breeze through green leaves.  Sounds good, right?

You can actually get a preview of the music by clicking here.  I'm ordering a bunch of CDs, so if you like the sounds as much as I do, you'll be able to pick up a CD at a class in the near future and dance along at home, in your car, in your garden....

I've also added a song that my friend introduced me to last week:

Another quick note:

Thursday classes ARE happening at the Lower Native Sons Hall in Courtenay starting this week.  1:15 to 2:30pm. 

NEW CLASS happening on Tuesdays at the d'esterre House in Comox.  This is the home base of the Comox Seniors' Association and it has recently been renovated.  Dancing in this space, on the gorgeous wooden floor, with the huge windows, is a real delight.  You can come drop in for classes, or register.  Tuesdays from 3 to 4:15 starting July 12th.  This class will be every Tuesday.

Royston Tuesday classes are back on starting July 12th, from 6 to 7:15.  Click here for a map to the hall.  Classes are $10 drop-in, or buy a 4 card punchcard for $32 ($8 per class). 

Off to Greece soon!

This is the last week of classes until the beginning of July. 

 Please note that there is no Tuesday class this week. 

I'm heading off to be inspired, a la Isadora Duncan, by the ancient Greeks, and to perhaps be taught some folk dancing by the modern Greeks in the local tavernas.

A small reminder that the classes at the Filberg and Lewis Centre require a minimum number to run - if you plan on dropping in, check to make sure that number

has been met to make sure the class is a go!

Many happy days of spring dancing - in your garden, at the beach, in your kitchen....

wherever your feet lead you!



What does Nia look like?

This video is a look at what I consider to be Nia's greatest health benefit - the joy and freedom that we feel and express with our bodies.  Notice the sweat, the smiles, the looks of bliss.

 

Sharing the focus

As part of my commitment to my own practice of Nia as a student, as well as my desire to continue to improve as a teacher, I decided this is the year I honour the Nia practice of setting the focus for the class.

My focus is the focus!

In the interest of sharing the wealth, I will post some of the foci here, and invite you to use them in your own practice, whether at home or in class. 
_____________________________________

From tonight's class at the Abbey in Cumberland


Tonight's focus is the celebration of strength!  That physical sensation of squeezing into the bones, hugging the bones, of consciously activating all four sides of a muscle.

But it's also time to celebrate the strength of the other 3 aspects of our beings - mind, spirit, and emotions.  Sometimes when we lose strength in one aspect we can call up the others to help us regain our balance and strength.  For example, when I am mentaly exhausted it helps for me to call on my emotional and spiritual strength to help me - to bring in those powerful voices that can help me remember what I need to do to take care of myself so that the mental aspect has a chance to heal and rest.  My physical body helps my mental strength by doing Nia, which releases a wave of endorphins which help restabilize my brain chemistry.

Sometimes we may feel emotionally weak or vulnerable, and we need the mental strength that can help us discern truth and set boundaries.  I remember receiving a letter once from someone who was very angry with me.  I was devastated emotionally to read those angry accusations, but my mental strength stood up for me and said "Wait, is this even true?  Don't take this in unless you know it to be true." That moment of mental clarity helped me release some of the emotional charge the letter had created.

In Nia we build mental strength by requiring our conscious attention to be able to learn new patterns of movement that in turn build the physical brain by supplying it with freshly oxygenated blood and by building new neuronal pathways.

We build emotional strength by choosing over and over again to find joy in our movements, in the music, and in the community of dancers we are with.

We build spiritual strength by consciously reconnecting all aspects of our being to that source of inspiration that is unique to each one of us.

Building physical strength requires a lot of energy and you may find yourself flagging halfway through the routine if you are really choosing a high intensity level.

Call on your ancestors - the ones who walked across continents and carried the fire - to fan your flames.  Call on your ancestors who could dance for hours and days as part of their communal life.  Let the earth fill you with energy from the feet up.  Go into the heart of the flame - your version! - and thank the heat for the purifying sweat.

Call to mind what those who love you say are your strengths as you dance, and let yourself consciously own those aspects of your being.  Dance your own strengths in body, mind, spirit, and emotions.