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Archive for September, 2013

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Ylvis Is Correct

Posted by terrepruitt on September 10, 2013

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYoI know this is very far from health and fitness.  I know this is not even in the realm . . . . but it is in my head.  It is stuck.  I get songs stuck in my brain and they just play over and over.  Does that ever happen to you?  Do you get that ear worm?  Right now I have two songs stuck in my head this one (The Fox) and one that is in the Nia Routine I am current learning/”teaching” in my Monday and Wednesday morning Nia classes.  The song is Sexy from the Nia Routine Oshun.  It has no words, as this group/woman often “sings”, no words.  But the woman makes noises.  She hums, moans, groans, hisses, and vocalizes.  It is a hauntingly addicting tune and you I find myself moaning and vocalizing along with the song or just singing it out of the blue.  But I always find it odd to “sing” the non-words.  I had, at one time, a link to a video of it, but I can no longer find that.  But the The Fox is all over the internet, including in my last post.  In regards to lyrics, “The Fox” also has a lot of “non-words” but I guess that is because that is what the fox says.  Because really that is what foxes says, according to recordings made by researchers.  The recordings can be found on The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library website.

The the information regarding the one recording states it is a recording of Red Foxes in Ontario, Canada.  It can be found here:

http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/55363/vulpes-vulpes-red-fox-canada-ontario-william-w-h-gunn

I think the voice on the recording says, “Young cross fox or black fox still in the puppy stage.”  The recording is labeled red fox, but I it really sounds like he say black fox.  I think the sound the foxes make is more comparable to the “Joff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!  Tchoff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!  Joff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!”  Although the Wired blog post titled “What Does the Fox Say? The Viral Music Video Isn’t Totally Wrong” states it is “clearly  . . . . a low-key version of Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow”.

The recording of a female and male arctic fox sound to me like a mixture of Ylvis’ Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow and Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!   On this recording the fox noises stop at 1:18 then the researching talks about the foxes and the conditions of recording.

http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/138274

Whereas I think the common gray fox recorded in Sierra County, California is saying “A-hee-ahee ha-hee!  A-hee-ahee ha-hee!”  That recording can be heard here:

http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/60087

Devon Maloney, the author of the Wired Post I mentioned above, and I don’t exactly agree on what the foxes on the recordings say in connection with what Ylvis says, but I do believe we do both agree that Ylvis was onto something.  They did get “What the Fox Say” pretty darn accurate.  Hopefully my obsession with this song will be done by week’s end.  But I won’t be surprised if it resurfaces.  It is just so very funny.  Very entertaining.  I think the two that make up Ylvis are really interested in knowing what their guardian angels are saying.  They asks “what is your sound”, but I actually think they have the sounds down pretty well.  I am happy that their longing to know what the fox say has led to such hilarious entertainment.

So have you seen the video yet?  What do you think?

Posted in Entertainment, Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

I Give Up, What Does The Fox Say?

Posted by terrepruitt on September 7, 2013

This past week there was a video posted on Youtube that went viral.  And I am just giving in and posting about it, because, honestly, it is stuck in my head.  It was posted on September 3, 2013 and it has over 7.5 million views.  Wow!  It is hilarious.  It was posted on Facebook, that is where I saw it.  A fellow Nia teacher posted it.  Then several of my friends posted it.  As I mentioned, the first one I saw was a Nia Teacher , she was daring other Nia Teachers to create a dance using it.  It already has some great choreography.  It is one of those videos that you watch the first time in total and utter disbelief.  It starts out as funny, then it just gets more and more funny as it goes on.  Then you have to watch it again because it is just so hilarious.  Then you just watch it again because you can’t believe it.  It is just funny.  I honestly didn’t even notice the dancing until about the fourth time.  The first time I almost choked on my lunch.  Then next two times I was laughing so hard I couldn’t see.  I also was staring at the words.

In case you want to sing the song without the video playing:

Dog goes woof
Cat goes meow
Bird goes tweet
and mouse goes squeek
Cow goes moo
Frog goes croak
And the elephant goes toot
Ducks say quack
and fish go blub
and the seal goes ow ow ow

But there’s one sound
That no one knows

What does the fox say?

Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!

What the fox say?

Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!

What the fox say?

Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!
Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!
Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!

What the fox say?

Joff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!
Tchoff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!
Joff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!

What the fox say?

Big blue eyes
Pointy nose
Chasing mice
and digging holes
Tiny paws
Up the hill
Suddenly you’re standing still

Your fur is red
So beautiful
Like an angel in disguise
But if you meet
a friendly horse
Will you communicate by
mo-o-o-o-orse?
mo-o-o-o-orse?
mo-o-o-o-orse?

How will you speak to that
ho-o-o-o-orse?
ho-o-o-o-orse?
ho-o-o-o-orse?

What does the fox say?

Jacha-chacha-chacha-chow!
Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow!
Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow!

What the fox say?

Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!

What the fox say?

A-hee-ahee ha-hee!
A-hee-ahee ha-hee!
A-hee-ahee ha-hee!

What the fox say?

A-oo-oo-oo-ooo!
Woo-oooo-ooo!

What does the fox say?

The secret of the fox
Ancient mystery
Somewhere deep in the woods
I know you’re hiding
What is your sound?
Will we ever know?
Will always be a mystery
What do you say?
You’re my guardian angel
Hiding in the woods
What is your sound?

Buppawaydo
Bubitty upupwaydo
Buppawaydo

Will we ever know?

badabapbopwaydo

I want to . . .

bababydmadom

I want to . . .

I want to know!

abittybopbopbaydom

All brought to you by Ylvis, a pair of Norwegian variety show brothers.  They have their own TV show.  And this video . . . shows you why.  Pure entertainment.  Hilarity in every second.  I can’t get enough of it.  And, obvious, neither can anyone else . . . over 7.5 million views in fours days.

Well, I hope this helps stick it in your head as it has been stuck in my head for the past few days.  I also hope to see the creative choreography out on the dance floor, from some of my fellow Nia teachers.

Here is the link to the video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jofNR_WkoCE

And their Facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/IkveldmedYLVIS?fref=ts

Ahh, as I said, I hope this sticks in your head.  My husband believes that the only way to get rid of an earworm is to give it to someone else.  Maybe this will help me.  Maybe you will get it stuck in your head and I will be free.  Fre-e-e-e-ee!   Fre-e-e-e-ee!  Fre-e-e-e-ee!   Ahhhh!!!

Have you seen this yet?

 

In case you are interested in hearing the fox for yourself:  Ylvis Is Correct

Posted in Entertainment, Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments »

Practice Does Not Make Perfect

Posted by terrepruitt on September 5, 2013

When I typed in the word practice this is what came up in Google:

prac·tice  /ˈpraktəs/

noun
1. the actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method as opposed to theories about such application or use.
2. repeated exercise in or performance of an activity or skill so as to acquire or maintain proficiency in it.

verb
1. perform (an activity) or exercise (a skill) repeatedly or regularly in order to improve or maintain one’s proficiency.
2. carry out or perform (a particular activity, method, or custom) habitually or regularly.

Nia is a practice.  Yoga is a practice.  Playing a musical instrument takes practice.  One does not just step into a Nia class and do it exactly right the first time.  One does not move into a yoga pose and get it exactly right the first time.  One does not start to play a song and do it exactly right the first time.  It all takes practice.  With Nia the emphasis is on the body’s way.  I have said it before, but I will say it again, there is a right way to do the moves, the body’s way, the way the body was designed to move.  But every body is different.  Some bodies do not move the way they were designed.  Some bodies never will, but some just need time.  Yoga is a little different in that the positions are a bit more exact, but still, if your body does not move or bend that way do not force it.  It could be that your body needs to work toward that pose, it needs to practice or it could be that the actual structure of your body will not allow for the exact post to be attained.  Either way it is a practice.

Nia is more forgiving.  Since it is a dance there is a lot of room for freedom.  With yoga people expect there to be one way to do the pose but again, not exactly true.  The individual’s body needs to be taken into account.  Some bodies will just not bend or fold certain ways.  They might be able to bend more or fold more than the first time a yoga asana is attempted, but it might never look exactly like that magazine picture.  Most pictures of people in yoga positions are just like that of high fashion and/or make up models.  They are the exception not the norm.  They are showing an example of what the pose in its absolute perfection is supposed to look like.  They should be required to disclose how many years that person has been doing yoga or how long they were actually in that pose.  JUST like people are telling young girls to give up the idea of looking like the women in magazines, some people need to go a little easier on themselves when it comes to yoga poses.

The idea is not “to look like the picture” but to be better and more comfortable at doing the pose as time goes on.  In the picture the person might have their elbows on the ground and when you start you can barely touch the floor.  Well, the proper way to learn (at least one way . . . another is props, but for this example we are using progression) is to practice until you can touch the floor.  Practice with good form.  Then practice until you can stay touching the floor – with good form.  Then practice until you can stay longer each time at touching the floor – with good form.  Don’t injure yourself trying to put your elbows on the ground and all the while not achieve good form.

I do not believe that practice makes perfect.  Practice just makes time get used up.  But good practice, practice with good form, practice that allows you to get better than you were is good.  “Perform (an activity) or exercise (a skill) repeatedly or regularly in order to improve or maintain one’s proficiency.”  Yeah that.  Being patient with oneself and allowing one to practice and make it good practice will get one further on a the path of proficiency than just trying to get to that pose without working into it.  While we all know this, I was reminded that many of us need to be reminded of this.

Nia is a practice.  Yoga is a practice.  Playing a musical instrument takes practice.

How are you are practicing?  Do you like the process of learning or do you like to just jump right in and do it right and all the way the first time?

Posted in Exercise and Working Out, Nia | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Shimmy From The Back

Posted by terrepruitt on September 3, 2013

I was looking for something to post about today and I thought, “Hmmm . . . . let’s check out the Nia 52 Moves list on my site and see what I have yet to write about.”  Much to my HUGE surprise, I have not posted about the shimmy.  I am shocked.  The shimmy is a very often used move in Nia Routines. . . heck, the shimmy is an often used dance move in many, many, many dances.  So I am shocked I have not addressed this before.  I think that the shimmy is somewhat misunderstood.  I believe, from what I have experienced, that many people think of the shimmy as a chest move.  I have sensed great hesitation in many people when it comes to executing the shimmy.  It seems as if people might consider it a boob shake.  Some women don’t want to do it and neither do some men.  I mean, why would either want to shake their breasts in a cardio dance exercise class?  To me, thinking it is a frontal shake is a misconception.  While, yes, for many people the front DOES shake and move in a shimmy, that is NOT where the concentration of the movement is.  The shimmy comes from the shoulder blades/back.

The Nia Technique Book* says:  “Vibrate and shake your shoulders, standing upright or moving front and back, as if you are shaking water off.”**

I think that once the focus of the move is taken off of the chest, some people feel more comfortable with the move.  It is not primarily moving your chest/breasts/boobs around.  It is moving your shoulders and your back.  Since our front is connected to the back, then, yes, our chest will move but the movement will be different than if you are purposefully just moving what is on the front side of your body.  There are several ways to learn and/or practice the shimmy, here is one.  First of all think: “BACK/SHOULDERS” not front of body.

With your thoughts and your intent shifted from the front to the back you can apply the correct motion.  One way to start from scratch with this move is to lie down.  Lie on your back, then lift one shoulder off the ground.  Push your shoulder blade forward, jutting your collarbone out.  Then bring that side back to the ground.  Then do the other side.  Push, jut, back down.  Now push the first side again and as you allow the shoulder to come to the earth push the other shoulder forward.  Continue to alternate.  Only allow one shoulder up at a time.  While you are pushing forward keep your shoulders down toward your hips (not down toward the ground).  Keep the space between your ears and your shoulders open.  So you are not shrugging your shoulders up to your ears, you are pushing them from the BACK to the sky.  Do this until you feel you have the sensation in your body that when you sit up you will still have the correct motion.  Vary the speed.  Play with the size of the movement.  Go for smooth and not jerky.

If you are not starting that far back, from scratch, then stand and concentrate on the shoulders going forward and back.  Again, keep the shoulders down.  This helps me with the forward back motion, otherwise they might start creeping up into that scrunching posture.  Eventually you will be able to just move your shoulders forward and back with nice relaxed (down) shoulders.  But in the beginning it might be something you have to think about in order to ensure the front back motion and not up and down.

This move is great for isolating the muscles that assist with good posture and balance.  It is also a great stress reliever.  It is fun to let out sound while you are shimmying.  You don’t even have to waver your voice if you are shimmying vigorously enough, the movement causes the waver.  FUN stuff!

As mentioned we do the shimmy a lot in our Nia Classes.  Since we do it a lot we do it in many different ways . . . fast, slow, by itself, with other moves . . . it is just one of those great moves to throw into the mix.

I see many, many, many people who are challenged by this move.  There are many reasons for that.  I also see a lot of people’s movement change once they adjust the focus from the front to the back.  I see those proverbial light bulbs come on!  Shift the focus and let your body move!

When you shimmy, where is your movement focus?  Did this post alter your movement focus?  Can you shimmy so vigorously that your voice wavers with your movement?

*written by Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas / **page 138, The Core

Posted in 52 Moves (of Nia), Nia | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

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