You might have read a little over a month ago that I put salt in a jar and filled it with lemons. (Click here for that post.) I had heard about it from a friend on Facebook. When writing the post for my blog I did a really quick search and learned that preserved lemons are a “gourmet food”. Also, after I posted about it two of my friends told me that they had seen jars of them at Trader Joe’s. So this is not a completely unique food. It is actually common in Moroccan and Middle Eastern recipes. I sealed my jar on April 7th so the schedule was to open it 30 days later on May 7th. Well, I was making something on May 6th and decided to use the lemons for it.
I was making chard. I think of chard as bitter so I usually use a lot of seasonings when cooking it. I didn’t read the instructions when I prepared the jar, and true to form I didn’t read, or more accurately, I disregarded the instructions when cooking with them. I did not rinse the lemons. And on top of that I salted the chard as I was cooking it. So two huge errors. I used a lot of lemons because I wanted the greens to be very flavorful. But it is imperative that the lemons be rinsed! The chard was actually too salty to eat!
I was a bit sad because I thought these lemons were going to be a new “thing”/flavor I could cook and prepare food with. I did hold out faith that it was my bad decision not to rinse the lemons that made the lemons icky.
A few days after my chard disaster I made some rice. This time I rinsed the lemons thoroughly then cut them up and put them on top of the rice in the rice maker. Success! YES! It was sooooo yummy. The lemons gave just enough flavor but did not over power. It was good. Yay!
Since I had had success with the rice a few nights after that, I made some broccoli with the lemons. I used a tiny it of oil and a couple of slices of onion. I didn’t want to overpower the lemons so I didn’t want to use too much of anything else. Again, I rinsed the lemons really well, cut them up and then put them in the pan with the broccoli to cook. Again, yummy!
One thing about the lemons is they are so slimy. I don’t care to touch them because they are so slimy, but once you rinse them they are ok.
The information I’ve seen is that lemons, salt, and water is more common for is recipes in North African and Indian cuisine. The recipe I followed is just salt, lemons, and the juice of the lemons. No water.
As I said in my original post about this, I used a small jar. I was thinking after I tried it, if I liked it, I would make a larger jar, but, I don’t see the need for a larger jar for us. The small one is fine. If I were to start a new jar now, we would probably finished with the present jar by the time it is ready. I think I might try that, but this time add some other flavor.
Have you ever had preserved lemons? Have you have made them? What do you think of them?
In March of 2010 I wrote a post about Daylight Saving Time. First, as a reminder it is Daylight Saving(no s) Time. You can check out that post by clicking HERE. It just has some facts I gathered from the internet about Daylight Saving Time. Basically it hasn’t always been around, it went away, it came back, then after 21 years the government extended it in 2007. The government made it start sooner and end later. Instead of starting the first Sunday of April and ending the last Sunday of October, it now starts the second weekend of March and ends the first Sunday of November. I am not a fan. I do not like to lose an hour of sleep. If you read my blog at all, you pretty much know I am a “night person” so when it is DAYLIGHT at 9:00 AT NIGHT, it is really difficult for me to even think about going to bed at a decent hour. IT IS STILL LIGHT OUT! So . . . it is daytime. So . . . whatever . . . I don’t like a lot of things, I just live with them. But what I don’t understand is I hear so many other people voice their dislike for it, too. Why do we still do it? What is up with Daylight Saving Time?
If you are looking for answers you won’t find them there. I wasn’t even planning on bringing this up but someone posted a funny video to my Facebook Timeline this morning and I remembered I had saved a link to an article about it. Before my Nia and yoga class today I watched the video. Even though I watched the video I didn’t think about the lost hour or the DAYLIGHT at night. I laughed it off. But then on my way to my Nia class, as I was stopped at a stop light, the bank clock said 7:32. REALLY? UGH! Then when I looked up at the dance studio clock IT said 7:42. Sigh. Seems as if I was not going to be able to forget that it was AN HOUR earlier. And the funny thing is — all of a sudden, I felt tired. I yawned.
So, needing something to post on my blog today, I read the article (the one I save the linked for) “5 myths about daylight saving time”. Click here to go there. MORE information regarding the absurdity of Daylight Saving Time. Really . . . WHY DO WE HAVE IT STILL? Are you of the belief it is or was for the farmers? Well both the video I saw this morning (although it was a comedy video) and the post on the Washington Post said it was not for the farmers. In fact, the article claims that farmers were AGAINST it. They don’t like it.
The article is about 5 Myths of DST. The first one was the farmers theory. The second one is that it makes us healthier having that extra daylight when actually the sleep disruption and the changing of the time makes us more prone to automobile accidents. Some data has indicated that male suicide increases and the change has an adverse affect on people with mental health problems. Some physicians even think it can trigger cluster headaches.
The third one is the energy myth. That was the reason for its extension. (The article says it was extending in 2005. That was when the act was passed. We didn’t actually put the extension into practice until 2007.) The article also sites a study where Indiana’s government thought the residents would save $7 million in electricity costs, but it ended up costing the residents $9 million MORE. So not only was there no savings it cost MORE!
The fourth one is it increases revenue for businesses. Well, that is why I thought “they” (the government) did it. More sales. And while that sounds true – from the article – it also state that not ALL businesses benefit. The Air Transport Association estimated that the change for the extension would cost $147 million (holy carp!) because of the extra scheduling that has to be done to keep the flights all running smoothly with the rest of the world.
And the last myth is an argument about “Standard Time” not being actually “standard” because it is for less months out of the year than Daylight Saving Time.
So what do YOU think? Like it? Hate it? Love the light later? Don’t like it being so dark in the morning? Miss the lost hour of sleep? Feeling sick? Feeling disoriented?
“What is Alzheimer’s Disease? Alzheimer’s is a slow fatal disease of the brain affecting one in ten people over the age of 65. No one is immune. The disease comes on gradually as two abnormal protein fragments called Plaques and Tangles accumulate in the brain and kill brain cells.” Then the video goes on to say WHERE in the brain those fragments start and WHAT is in that part of the brain. The first place is the middle of the bottom part of the brain the place where memories are formed. The video states that as the disease progresses it becomes harder and harder to form new memories. Then the disease spreads to the language processing portion of the brain. Then, Alzheimer’s goes to area of the brain in the front where logical thought takes place. Problem solving, grasping concepts and making plans are some of the things affected. This video goes on to show the way the disease progresses. It somewhat helps explains things like why a person who suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease can remember things from years ago, but not decide what to wear today or what to eat for a meal. It is a less-than-four-minute video that explains a little bit about how the brain is affected by Alzheimer’s Disease.
The video is about five years old and is from www.AboutAlz.org, but I just saw it posted on Facebook this past weekend. I thought it was very informative and I wanted to share it. It quickly and basically explains the progression of the disease. It states that “the progression from mild forgetting until death is slow and steady and takes place over an average of eight to ten years.”
“An estimated 5.2 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease in 2014, including approximately 200,000 individuals younger than age 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer’s.” The Alzheimer’s Association site also states: “Alzheimer’s is officially the 6th leading cause of death in the United States” and “It kills more than prostate cancer and breast cancer combined.” This site also has a “brain tour” which has seven “pages” of basic brain information. It has nine “pages” of “Alzheimer’s Disease and the Brain”. It shows that the brain actually shrinks as it is attacked by the proteins.
I didn’t actually look to see if the progression has been slowed . . . as usual, I clicked a link and got distracted. But, I think this is enough information for now.
I just thought this video was interesting. I am sure there are more detailed videos out there, but sometimes quick and simple is nice. Usually I can spot David Hyde Pierce’s voice in a second. The first time I saw this I was surprised that he was the one narrating it. It got me the second time too! He is a spokesperson for the Alzheimer’s Association.
I like to share the things I think are interesting. Plus . . . I like to put it on my blog so I know where to find it when I want to see the information again. I hope this helped teach you a bit about something you might not have known about. I would imagine if you know someone – especially if you are taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s you know this information. So, like I said, I hope you learned something.
My last post was about receiving the Watermelon Radishes in the organic produce box that we have delivered. Well, I didn’t know what to do with them – remember, part of the reason why I get a box delivered is to experience new-to-me produce. When I had glanced on the internet at what they were I saw a few things about “Pickling” them. I hadn’t considered roasting them, as I think of them more like a radish — because they are — and I wouldn’t think to roasted a radish. So I thought I would try throwing them in some vinegar and seeing what that would be like. I didn’t do it the day I received them, but I did it the next day. Although they were not going to be a part of Saturday’s dinner. I was thinking we would have them Sunday. So I didn’t think they would be soaking this long. Here it is Tuesday and we still have not eaten them. I tasted them so that I could post this. I will serve them tonight with dinner. They taste ok. I am not getting a lot of THEIR flavor possibly because they set so long. I only had a few pieces as I do want save them to have with dinner tonight. Here is what I did to make the Watermelon Radish Salad.
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Watermelon Radish Salad
1 1/2 tbsp of SEASONED rice vinegar
3 tbsp of REGULAR rice vinegar
3/4 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
dash of pepper
1 large Watermelon radish (a little smaller than a tennis ball)
Mix the ingredients in a bowl, except the radish. Slice the radish as thin as you can. Then put the slices in the bowl with the other ingredients. Flip the bowl or stir the radishes every once in a while so that all of the slices are in the liquid at one time or another.
Let set for at least two hours.
Then eat as a snack or a side dish.
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I think next time I will add some onions and garlic. In my quick research of them, I kept seeing the comment that they were “sweet” so I didn’t want to add garlic to that. Also when I sliced them and tasted them they were really peppery so I didn’t want to add the onion. But now that I have tasted the plain and simple way I will probably add some more flavor. Perhaps so soy sauce to make it more like a cucumber salad?
So even though I usually roast my veggies, as I mentioned I hadn’t considered doing that but, my husband shared my post on Facebook and one of his friends did say he LOVED them roasted. So I will probably try that. We have two left and they are huge so I COULD probably do both. Make another “salad” and roast one. We will see.
My evening yoga class is on break this week so that means I will have extra time to cook this week so that just might work.
I do want to say that the smell coming from the radishes is NOT GOOD. It is worse than soaking beans. I am using my essential oil and candles remedy to battle the stench.
A lot of people commented on my husband’s post that they LOVE these radishes. What about you? Do you like watermelon radishes?
I have said it many, many times, but I am going to say it again. Nia has 52 Moves which we incorporate into the Nia routines. These moves have a specific way to be done. But the way they are done is adjusted, like many things, when you are doing them in a routine. There is or was a debate about one of the moves called the bow stance. The debate is or was about how the weight of the body should be distributed. The reason I am saying “is or was” is because I don’t know if the debate was ever settled. The discussion regarding it — at least one that I had seen — was on Facebook and it was a long discussion. I don’t know what the end result was or what the “official” decree is because to me, I want to teach balance, so if I am JUST doing a bow stance then I would instruct people to have their weight evenly distributed. Usually I am not doing JUST a bow stance. If I am showing people the bow stance it is because it is in the routine and there are other steps prior to or after it and with other moves on either side the weight gets distributed according to the need. So, in other words, we adjust the move to fit the dance and choreography. So that is what my class and I are experiencing right now with the Nia 52 Move called Rock Around the Clock.
If you read my original post about it, the one that explains what it is, the instructions state to start the rock on the heels. But in the routine I am leading my class through currently we start the rock on the toes. Then we roll (or rock) to either the left or the right. We actually go both ways and like many things, the different “sides” or directions are very different in regards to sensation and difficulty level. One side is easier than the other . . . at least that is the consensus with my students. So it is very beneficial to practice “rocking” both ways.
With this post I am doing two things; 1) I am reminding you to practice moves going both directions. Just like we do both sides. If we are doing a move with the left side we do it with the right. We – trainers – often say to keep the body even and it really is to work both sides of the body AND the brain! 2) Share with you a different or additional WAY to practice Rocking Around the Clock.
My original post says something about this being an example of an easy move. It is not necessarily “easy”, what I probably should have said was the Rock Around the Clock was not a high intensity move. So for those that are really starting out learning this move you might even want to sit down and do it. Since feet are in shoes for a large part of the day and those shoes might not allow for a lot of ankle mobility, it could be that your ankles just don’t want to move in the way that is required with this move. So it is a great idea to sit down and allow the ankles to loosen up.
For me, my feet want move opposite of each other. So each foot wants to be on the opposite edge, so training my feet and my brain to be on the same edge it interesting. Sitting in a chair while doing this move allows my feet and brain to understand that this move is “same edge”. Once you get your feet and brain on the same page, then you can stand up. (FYI: Sitting and practicing this move is very different from trying to take pictures of your feet while sitting and practicing this move. But hopefully you will get the idea from the pictures even though they are not very good.)
When you are standing you can use something to hold onto like a counter, table, chair, wall, something that is sturdy and can assist you in balancing. Having something to steady you while your feet get used to supporting your weight on the edges is nice. The support also allows you to really exaggerate your foot movements to help get the movement into your muscle memory.
This move helps build strength in the ankles and the feet. This is also a very “mental move”. It is one of those moves you might have to really think about in order to do it correctly. Then, with practice, it will become one of those moves you can do without thinking so much about. And your feet and ankles will benefit greatly.
So have you tried it? Can you do it sitting down? Can you do it standing up? Can you see how it is an interesting move?
Nia Technique comes out with four routines a year. I actually do not know if this is how it has always been or if this is how it has been lately. When I first started teaching Nia there were so many routines – to me – that I didn’t bother to keep track of the new ones when they were released because there was a stock of them I could order from. I do vaguely remember reading some teachers saying on the teacher forums that HQ needed to create some new routines as they hadn’t done any for a while. I remember thinking, “Wow! I can’t imagine having the need for new routines, look at all of them!!!” HQ just released four new routines in December. I think they are considering them 2014 routines, but I think of them as new for the New Year.
It is really great to have new routines to start off the New Year. Facebook is all a buzz about the new routines. I think, I don’t know, but I think some deliveries of the new routines were delayed due to the Holidays. Many Nia teachers are talking on Facebook about waiting by their mailboxes. Everyone is very excited about new routines.
There are four new routines. I only had enough credits for three so, I ordered three out of the four. I could buy the fourth one, but I will just wait until I renew my license. Four routines are included in the licensing renewal fee of $520.00. So when I renew in a few months I can just get the fourth one at that time. I am slow to learn routines so I will have not learned and taught the three I just bought by the time I can order the fourth one.
The new routines have great names: Magic, Beautiful, Dream, Reach. Could be that you Reach for your Beautiful, Magic Dreams. Ha. That is not what Nia HQ says, it is just dawned in me while writing this.
Anyway . . . . it really is exciting. Although, as I mentioned, it takes me a long time to learn a new routine. So I am still learning one that was released in 2013. I will admit to not being able to learn anything new for the first half of the year. It was like my brain just couldn’t concentrate and retain a new routine. I have moved past that now. And I am still current with my quota (we are supposed to learn four a year) so I don’t feel bad.
I do love how so many Nia teachers jump right in and on the new routines. Some Nia teachers have been teaching Nia since in the ’80’s so they have done ALL the routines there ever were and more so they really NEED the new stuff. I have only been teaching Nia since 2009 so there were twenty-six years of routines before I even started Nia. Although, as I said, I don’t think they came out with routines every year so there are not 124 routines to choose from. Especially, since a lot of the old routines are no longer available.
Well, I do hope I will see you in a Nia class in 2015. Come sooner than later!
Do you like to do the same routine for a bit before you move onto another one? Do you like to have a new routine to do every time you step into the class?
This year we were lucky to have a visitor for our Goodie Jar reading. My niece was visiting and she helped us relive the moments that made us smile. I am a smart enough aunt to know that I have an amazing niece so she was mentioned often in my notes of “Good Things”. Here are some of the highlights from the jar:
~My niece treated us to the Nutcracker Ballet in San Francisco
~Nightingales
~May 29, (2014) was the first “coffee” visit with they Camden Community Center Nia Class
~Wicked
~Colleen came to say goodbye to Spot (06.24.14)
As you can see from the pictures there were a lot more. I’ve had some people ask me what to put in the Good Things Jar. It really is up to you. I am seeing a lot of different versions of “jars” this year so I really think it all depends on you. What do you want your jar to do? The point of my jar is to keep me focused on the GOOD THINGS IN LIFE. There are so many things that can be considered “not good”. It is very easy to get distracted and end up with a negative attitude and to forget all of the blessings that are around us. So, for me, it is a way to keep the blessings in my life at the forefront. That does not mean I can’t be sad or get mad or pout . . . .or whatever . . . it just is a reminder to not stay sad, mad, or pouty. Because that — to me is an insult to the good stuff.
There is another benefit to my Goodie Jar. In addition to making a note and helping me stay focused it really is fun for me to read the good things at the end of the year and to remember. While my family might not enjoy it as much as I do . . . they tolerate it. I even tell stories regarding some of the GOOD THINGS, if they will let me.
I have mentioned before in posts that I like to use different types of paper. I like to fold them in different shapes and ways. It makes the jar look festive. I noticed last night that the ones my niece grabbed to read were the spiral ones, the ones folded in shapes, or the really festive looking. Yeah, it is fun.
Also pictured here is this post are the pieces of paper we are going to use to fill up the jar in 2015. Yeah, it started off as a one-time thing, but this will be our third year of doing it. I am really loving this tradition. I love the practice throughout the year. I love the decorative jar that sits out all year round reminding me that there has been good things. I love the “ceremony” (to me it is) of reading the good things.
I wish I could remember the origin of this aside from Facebook. I mean, I know WHO I got it from, but I don’t remember where/who SHE got it from. But the Good Things jar was not my idea. Using a beautiful pitcher is my idea and filling it with different types of paper is my idea. Re-using wrapping paper . . . my idea. But the original idea . . . . don’t know. But THANK YOU!
So, what good things have happened to you in 2014? Do you have a Goodie Jar? Are you going to have one for 2015?
Someone posted this on Facebook. I agree with it. I do feel that people need to set boundaries. I think that sometimes people drain themselves or let others drain them (of time and energy) and don’t take the time to recharge or rejuvenate. I think that sometimes situations like that can lead to “hard feelings” and resentment. Not all the time, but sometimes. I have seen relationships crumble because one person takes advantage of the other, but the one that was taken advantage of allowed it to happen. Of course, when I see something I like, like this meme, and I want to use it as a spark for a post on my blog I want to give credit for the person that created it. I appreciate it when all the information is there so it is easy to find the originator. This woman, Anna Taylor, has an interesting story. She is an international recording artist, a singer-songwriter, and speaker and radio host among other things. You can hear her sing and check out her story on her site (click here). I have seen this saying — or ones like it before, but this one ended up on my Facebook feed at a time when I was thinking the same thing so I save it for a future post. Today is the day.
Of course, everyone’s boundaries are different and there are different boundaries for different people, but I think it is important to set them and have them. At times they can even flex and move, but that should be up to you. Then it really is up to you, as the person setting, the boundaries to make sure that they are clear to the people you are dealing with. If they don’t know what they are it is easy for them to disrespect them.
I feel as if some people don’t respect their own time and energy so then others don’t either. That is a lesson taught and a lesson learned. I think sometimes people are also afraid to say “No,” for whatever reason . . . perhaps they don’t want the person asking to “not like them” or the person asking is family so there is an implied obligation . . . or it goes back to the person being asked just doesn’t respect or maybe even feel worthy of time to themselves. I don’t know . . . it is all very personal.
I just like to be the one that supports people when they share with me that they feel bad, but they just had to say no to whomever because “they just couldn’t do it”. Then they go on to explain how it would cause them stress. Sometimes you just have to say no. Sometimes there are already too many obligations on the schedule. It is ok to say no.
Love yourself, respect yourself. Understand that your time and energy are precious. Especially this time of year when there are so many things pulling us in so many directions. It is GREAT to say no to something so you can sit on the couch with your family and a mug of hot chocolate. Or whatever . . . remember . . . you get to choose. And you teach people by your choices.
Does it seem as if this time of year the demand on your time and energy is greater than all year long?
It is Veterans Day today. A day where we stop and thank our Veterans. Many thank our Veterans all year round, but this is the day that the government and some stores are closed, other stores have sales, cities have parades, and Facebook feeds are full of black and white pictures in a proud display. I am grateful for the freedom that has cost so many so much. Thank you, Veterans, for your sacrifices and service. Since it is a city Holiday the community centers where I teach my Nia class and yoga class on Tuesdays were closed. So I decided to take advantage of my morning off and attend a class. I went to Tai Chi at the YMCA. The schedule indicates 30 minutes “Intro to Tai Chi” followed by 45 minutes of “Tai Chi”. My plan was to attend the first one then I would just hang around for the second one to see if I could do it without disturbing the class too much. Well, at one point several people exited the class. But the other woman who was new to the class stayed . . . so I thought, “Ok, I’ll stay too.” We didn’t really follow the clock. The first portion of the class seemed as if it was Tai Chi exercises, then the second portion was the actual Tai Chi moves. I learned that there are different styles of Tai Chi.
The instructor went through the beginning slowly as we all followed along, a couple of times. Then he told us to do it on our own a couple of times. I couldn’t remember the moves so I was following my neighbors. Then the instructor did it again with us, then he said to do it on our own without watching our neighbors. Well, that kind of worked. Then he asked another woman in the class to take the intermediate people and he would take the beginners. I felt bad because if there had been a cut and dry end and start I would have left so as not to disturb the intermediate people. But at the end of class, as I was leaving I thanked the woman who took over the intermediate students and she said that it was ok that is how they do it. So I felt better.
Right before we broke into the two groups the instructor asked us if we had any questions. I was going to ask how many moves he had just shown us, but I let it go thinking it was about five. Then the instructor said to us (me and the other newbie), “So those first two moves are called . . . “. And I laughed, because what I thought was about five moves was actually only two. He also explained that he practiced and taught the Chen style.
Just like yoga there is more than just one type of Tai Chi. In looking for the names of the first two moves (I forgot what he called them. “Pestle Warrior” did not bring up the move.) I came across this explanation on WikiHow:
#5 of part 1 of 4
“Experiment with different styles. Because all Tai Chi is good, it’s more important that you do any rather than worry about which style is right for you. But once you get immersed in the world, you may want to experiment. Here’s a brief rundown:
—-The Chen style mixes up the tempo, going very slow and then being explosive. It can be difficult for beginners. —-The Yang style is the most popular. It has a steady tempo and, as discussed above, uses large frame movements. It’s probably what you think of when you think of tai chi. —-In Wu, the movements are almost microscopic. This makes it easy to do, but difficult to master — there’s a lot of focus on powerful flows of energy and inner, pressured movements. The movements are very slow and deliberate. —-The Hao style isn’t very widely spread. You probably won’t find a teacher that practices it.”
So as this says I DO think of the Yang style when I think of Tai Chi. However, I think the Chen style with mixing up of the tempo is good. It really aligns with the “balance” of it all. Fast – slow. Hard – soft. Steady – explosive. Reminds me of the song in the Nia Routine, Zensation, where the focus of the Kata is Tai Chi and we move fast and slow. We change the tempo. That is the Chen style of Tai Chi.
I was very happy I was able to take Tai Chi class. I even came home and practiced. I don’t know when I will be able to get back to the class, but I want to try to remember the first two moves. I am not certain I am doing them exactly right, but I will practice what he said was the most important part and then if I need to be corrected at least I will have a solid base.
And thank you again to ALL the Veterans!
Did you know there are different styles of Tai Chi? Do you think that you think of the Yang style (as the article states)? Have you ever taken a Tai Chi class?
This week I met with a friend and she asked me, “So how do you come up with things to post on your blog?” It was very funny that she asked me that on that day because that day I was struggling to come up with something. It is funny how some days it is as if something to write about is RIGHT there and other days I can think about it from the moment I get up until the last minute and still be struggling. I am very particular about my posting schedule. There are blogs that I like to read and I will go to them and there is nothing. I will continue to go and there is nothing and after a week or two I forget to keep checking. I like to post on a schedule so if you come to my blog you know something will be here. But that is not always easy. Especially since my idea was to post something about health and fitness. There are so many blogs and websites about that. The magazines all have both and you know how many magazines there are so the market is inundated with the same stuff. And it is like the cooking shows. If one is cooking with eggplant that week, they all are. They are all talking about the latest fad, the latest exercise, the latest study. Sugar is bad, eggs are bad — eggs are good, sugar is the devil — eggs might be ok, sugar is crack. Just as examples. And, for me, sometimes there is so much going on that I don’t have time to do the research and check the latest facts. Life is busy. Sometimes I have to concentrate on teaching. Sometimes I have so much other stuff going on (you know in the last year I’ve had a lot of “stuff). Sometimes I feel my blog suffers. But I also think that when I just sit down and write . . . tell you what is going on (ya know when I don’t have time to research and fact check) . . . you guys seem to like that. How about a nice share today? You know I love to share.
I am lucky enough to be a part of a teacher rotation for a Nia class on Sunday. So this past Sunday I taught at they YMCA. It was the largest class I have taught there. It was really nice. The students were really into it. It is always such a moving experience to have twelve bodies enjoying the dance. Monday I am subbing for someone the month of October. That class was a joy.
My Tuesday/Thursday class is making me so proud and happy. Most of the people who attend Tuesday also attend Thursday. This group is really beginning to “get their Nia on”. They are actually sounding. It used to be that I could tell the area of the room where the “whoo” (or whatever) was coming from . . . but this week, I didn’t know. There were so many “whoos” and things I didn’t know who was making the noise. There were doing so well, that I said I was going to listen. So I was silent and they “ooed”! It was magical! I was so happy. I was silent a bit more just to hear them. And they kept going! It used to be they would stop after the first check. I would say, “I’m gonna do a sound check.” And the whole room would make noise, then the next time . . . . crickets! But not this week . . . they kept right on making noise!
One thing that happened, I already shared on Facebook, but I am going to share it here too, is the collective expression of dismay at our music being interrupted by lobby noise! There are a lot of lovely songs in our Nia music. We had just begun to get into the movement of the dance. And the majesty of the song was settling in over the room when there was this LOUD noise from the lobby. And the whole class went, “Awww!” Even though the noise would not have ruined the song or the dance, it just BURST into the sacredness of it. Two people went to shut the dance studio doors and I turned up the music and we danced on, but it was nice to see that other people appreciate the music and sacredness of it as well. We like to experience without BIG LOUD noise.
My Wednesday class was full of new students. And by full I mean, my “regulars” we not in attendance so it was just new students. Fun stuff!
Also, thanks to one of my Nia students I had the opportunity to share information about Nia to a club in the area. While it was understood prior to the meeting that nothing may become of it — as in, Nia may not be taught at the club — it was nice to be able to introduce people to Nia that had never heard of it before. I love to talk Nia so to be able to explain to people who might host it was awesome.
My yoga class turned into a private session of sorts. I was able to give one of my students some information that will assist her with something that she would like to improve upon specifically. It is one thing for me to do asanas that can help, but we were able to target some movement habits that she will be able to pay attention to. We both left feeling accomplished!
Then at the last minute when an instructor who became ill asked me to teach Nia for her students tomorrow, I said yes. So instead of teaching one Nia class, I am doing two . . which I have done before but at different facilities. Not two . . . back to back at the same place where I have already taught twice this week. So what that means is . . . I need to get my post up and get going on deciding on something to teach. So like I said in the beginning, sometimes I have to concentrate on teaching Nia!
So thank you for listening. It was a nice week. How was your week? Do share?
Since I had had success with the rice a few nights after that, I made some broccoli with the lemons. I used a tiny it of oil and a couple of slices of onion. I didn’t want to overpower the lemons so I didn’t want to use too much of anything else. Again, I rinsed the lemons really well, cut them up and then put them in the pan with the broccoli to cook. Again, yummy!
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