Posts Tagged ‘Nia students’
Posted by terrepruitt on April 25, 2015
Today we had a workshop to talk about and discover the Nia Five Sensations. Just like a lot of things we do and use in Nia, the five sensations are not unique to Nia, but they are tools we use to enhance our dance exercise. In a Nia class we strive to be in sensation. Being aware of the sensations allows us to choose and dance what we need at the time of the class. We had a small turn out, but the number of attendants is never the measure of success. One of my Nia Students and fellow Nia Blue Belt’s helped me present the workshop. This workshop was held at the request of the Camden Community Center. Our participants shared that they felt they had a better understanding of the sensations and would be able to apply awareness to them either in a Nia class or just in everyday life.
First we started off moving right away. The participants walked in, we said hello then started dancing. We danced to two songs. Then we did a brief introduction of Nia then we shared the five sensations and how we experience them everyday. We shared how they could be helpful to know and be aware of in a Nia class. The 5 sensations are: Flexibility, Agility, Mobility, Strength, and Stability (FAMSS).
Then we moved to each sensation. As we talked we guided the students into the sensations. We shared that flexibility is sensed as energy moving outward. It is the opening your body, the lengthening and yawning. So we stretched and yawned our bodies open. We reached out to lengthen our limbs. We imagined our bones moving away from our center. We practiced sensing the sensation even as our bodies showed no outward movement.
We talked about how agility can be sensed in the quick start and stop of a movement. It is the physical feeling of pulling and pushing. We hopped and jumped. We chopped and slapped. We “played” soccer and tennis. We danced in a “strobe like” fashion. We even stood still and let our gaze bounce around as our eyes moved with agility.
When talking about mobility we said it is sensed as energy in constant motion. It is youthful freedom. (A description from the Nia Technique that I really like.) It is flowing movement, graceful, and easy. We twirled and whirled around the room. We let our bodies ebb and flow. We rolled like the ocean. We moved our arms. We moved our legs. We mobilized our spine. We allowed the energy of constant motion to energize us.
We used the ballet bar and wall to start us off understanding that strength is sensed as energy moving inward. With that first example it gives way to us sensing strength as a resisting, or a quality of weighted energy being moved in ways that allow you to sustain a movement or posture. It is the contraction of muscle. It is the muscle squeezing bone. We contracted and pushed. We squeezed and resisted. Allowing the effort to tire us a bit.
Then we experienced the calm of stability. Stability is sensed as balance and comfort. It is the physical feeling of harmony and peace combined with readiness for action.
After having practiced the sensations we then added them to the stances that are part of the 52 Moves of Nia. We moved through the stances in the 5 sensations. Then we put on the music and danced the stances in sensation. After two songs we reviewed the kicks that are part of the 52 Moves of Nia. We moved through the sensations doing the kicks. Then onto dancing again. We danced doing our kicks in sensation.
We finished off the workshop with two songs focusing on the sensations, but primarily using the Nia choreography and not so much sticking with the kicks and stances. This allowed us to practice dancing in the sensations to whatever moves that come as part of a Nia routine.
It was a great little taste of the Nia 5 Sensations. I can say that because no matter what I am teaching it is ALWAYS the students that make the class GREAT!
Are you aware of any of these sensations in your everyday life?
Posted in Nia | Tagged: 52 Moves of Nia, aware of sensation, Camden Community Center, dance exercise, energy moving out, FAMSS, Group Ex, Group X, Nia Blue Belt, Nia choreography, Nia class, Nia five sensations, Nia Playshop, Nia routines, Nia students, Nia Technique, Nia workshop, San Jose City exercise Classes, San Jose Parks and Rec | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on March 7, 2015
I am still doing my Goodie Jar, are you? I know there are a ton of versions out there. Some people have “Happiness Jars” or “Smile Jars”. Some people have a goal of putting something in the jar every day. Some people’s goals are for once a week. Of course, none of the “rules” matter really, except the one that motivates you to remember your blessings. That is really the point. To have a little reminder of the blessings or things that make you happy, things that make life worth living. There is so much going on in the world and in our lives it is sometimes easy to get distracted. The jar — however you utilize it, is just a way of reminding yourself about the good. Good things in the Goodie Jar.
My hubby and I are using ours. I have Christmas wrapping paper cut up. And some other pretty wrapping paper. We have little sheets of note paper. All kinds of papers to use. Plus we both are putting our tickets in there. We have been blessed with Sharks tickets so those go in the Goodie Jar – win or lose, because a night out with each other is a WIN for us! It turns out that the San Jose Sharks lost, but it was a really exciting game. Or . . . to me it was. I know that people who go to more games than me might have a different opinion, but I thought it was exciting. I am much better at actually tracking the puck. I still “lose” it sometimes, but not as much as my first game. Hockey is so much more exciting and action packed than baseball.
Then there is our trip a couple of weekends ago. That is DEFINITELY a Goodie Jar item. That was a well needed trip. And it was so wonderful. The weather was awesome. I bet if we had gone this weekend it would have been too hot for me. It seems the weather is warming up here.
Then there is our beef. That is always a good Goodie Jar item. I have explained before how lucky I am that my hubby will eat pretty much anything. And he loves beef. So he has been pretty good about my experimenting with cooking the grass-fed beef we bought. It cooks so differently than regular beef. It is just mind-blowing. I was in a rush tonight as the game started 30 minutes earlier than I realized. I put the steak in a really hot oven and hoped for the best. It cooked well even though it didn’t look cooked–as usual. The flavor was meat, which I don’t prefer, but . . . it was dinner. And dinner helps us not need to eat the food at the game.
I still have Nia students in my Nia classes. The San Jose City Nia classes are really going well.
So many things to be thankful for. So many things that will bring a smile to my face at the end of the year! Filling up that jar! Yipee! It is really nice to have something to document the smiles.
Well? Are you doing a jar? What type? What are your “rules”? Got any good things you want to share?
Posted in Misc | Tagged: Christmas, good things jar, Goodie Jar, grass-fed beef, group exercise, Happines Jar, Napa, Nia Classes, Nia students, San Jose City Nia classes, San Jose Sharks, Smile Jar, wine tasting vacation | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on February 26, 2015
Have I ever told you that one of my students is a Naturopathic Doctor? Yeah, I have, I looked it up. I told you in the post about messing up, Messing Up Is Fun. I told you about how she had been my student for years before I even knew she was a doctor. Before class I am busy setting up — because there are things that need to be done — just normal things like taking off my socks and shoes, turning on the music, greeting new students, moving things away from the mirror, sweeping the floor, etc. Sometimes even deciding what to teach. Often times reviewing in my head what I am going to teach. And then after there is the cleaning up . . . putting on my socks and shoes, and PAYING ATTENTION to where I put my phone and just the general wrapping up of class, I don’t always get in on the conversations. Not only do I not get to be a part of them, but often times other students miss out on good stuff, too. I had always wanted to gather as a group after class, but when I learned she was a Naturopathic Doctor and I hadn’t know for years then I decided we all HAD to meet after. So there is a day for each of the venues that I teach at where we meet for coffee.
For the Wednesday class in the area of San Jose called Willow Glen we meet on the second to the last Wednesday of the month. We meet at a Peet’s coffee shop down the street from the studio. Period. I always tell my friends and students that is where we will be. They can join us whether they come to class or not. And we have had people do that. It is very nice. There are many reasons why people can’t make it to class, but some have stopped by.
For the Thursday classes we meet on the last Thursday of the month. We meet at a Peet’s coffee shop around the corner from the community center. It was really cool today because we had ten people. That is awesome. That is a big group to have visiting for coffee. More than half the class came to coffee! While we were there, a person we all know showed up because she was planning on meeting someone else at that very spot. She showed up a few minutes early to meet us because she knew we would be there. So the ten turned into twelve for a bit. It was fabulous. So fun.
Not only do I learn about my students and their personal lives, I also get feedback from them. It could DIRECT feedback or just something I pick up from the conversation. Sometimes they mention something that they might not know about Nia and I love that I can take the time to explain it. It is not always possible to get out all the information that can be shared about Nia WHILE you are teaching. So I love to be able to explain. Also, it reminds me that if the person talking doesn’t know that other people probably don’t know either so I can try to find away to let them know in class.
Often times it could be that people didn’t hear what I said, during class. There can be a lot going on in an exercise class, as you may be aware. Sometimes there is a fan in the room that might make it difficult for some to hear. Or there might be people outside that distract us. Or there might be someone walking through class just as I am explaining about something. Could be that one is just so involved in their own dance that they miss something. It is all fine. But I love the opportunity to be able to provide some clarification during our visits.I also really love to hear what is doing on with them. So many stories out there.
It is great to have NiaNow.com because I get a lot of people who are visiting the are that come to my classes. I love that. I always encourage ALL Nia teachers to put their classes on the site. A lot of people like to keep up their movement routine while they are traveling so it is nice for people to be able to find a class near where they are staying. I have a out of town student dancing with us now . . . she came to coffee with us. So fun to experience this!
I have always wanted to have visits after my classes and today I was just so amazed to have such a large group! I am so happy to be so blessed to have such great people in my classes as Nia students. They are definitely people you want to have coffee with.
Posted in Nia | Tagged: after Nia visit, Camden Peet's, Naturopathic Doctor, Nia in Willow Glen, Nia students, Nia Technique, out of town visitors, Peet's coffee, San Jose Group Exercise Classes, Willow Glen Peet's | Leave a Comment »
Posted by terrepruitt on February 21, 2015
I think I am very correct in saying that Group Exercise Instructors and Nia teachers love to hear students ask, “Where else do you teach?” and “What else do you teach?” Isn’t that the greatest thing? It is such a huge compliment. The student is asking where else can they get more of you. The student is asking in what other ways can they get more of you. I had never thought of that as a compliment. I had never even realized it was a compliment. When I was asked that, I used to feel bad because I didn’t teach anything else other than Nia. I also felt bad when I just taught at one place. I was always so focused on not being able to meet their additional needs I didn’t “hear” the compliment. I didn’t hear the un-spoken, “You met my need here.” Last year, I actually was in a required continued education class instructed by the YMCA when the teacher mentioned that if a student asks you those questions it is a compliment. Ha. Silly I had never thought of it as a compliment. I was focused on something else entirely. It strikes me as funny when I go into a situation to learn one thing and something totally different is taught to me. I was taught to see it as a compliment.
Nowadays, I am not so focused on not being able to meet their need for an additional class or another venue, because I am teaching six classes at four different places. Although people still would like an evening Nia class. This schedule can change at anytime, but for now, at least, I feel more varied.
Do you ever go into a situation expecting to learn one thing and come out surprised at what you learned? I like when I can learn what I was expecting AND something I wasn’t expecting. That always makes me feel happy. I feel like I got a bingo or hit the lotto. A two-for-one kind of thing. A real deal. Something completely worth my time. Ya know?
Do you ever miss a compliment? Are you ever so focused on something else you don’t even realize the person talking to you / asking a question is really in a sense giving you a compliment? Sometimes it is kind of nice because later on it might hit you and bring a smile to your face, but then I feel bad I didn’t take the opportunity to show gratitude. But sometimes that happens.
For a second I thought of listening with love, but I don’t think this is the same as that. But perhaps. Maybe if I had been listening with love instead of feeling bad I could help I would have noticed it was a compliment. But then I would have been so excited about the class I had to take. I wouldn’t have gotten that “extra” bang for my buck. Ha, ha!
This same type of compliment would be said to a performer, “Where else do you perform?” “What else have you performed in?” Yeah, that is a compliment all right.
So how about it? Have you ever experienced any unexpected learning? Have you ever totally “missed” that someone was complimenting you? What other situations would that type of comment fit?
Posted in Misc | Tagged: Group Ex instructors, group exercise, Nia class, Nia students, Nia teachers, YMCA | Leave a Comment »
Posted by terrepruitt on January 22, 2015
What is going on with you? Here? Me? Well, I mentioned that Nia released four new routines at the end of the year. I mentioned I ordered three. Well, I received them and I listened to the music for the one I had planned to learn first and just as I expected. The music for the entire routine is from ONE artist. When I originally noticed that, I thought that might be an issue for me. I thought that it would all sound the same and I wasn’t too excited about that prospect. But the music from the routine I didn’t order was even less appealing. Now, let me explain that we are able to listen to snippets of the songs. Like on iTunes. It only plays for a moment. As you may have found out from listening to snippets on iTunes some times what you hear is not exactly what you get. I mean sometimes a song can change dramatically. The Nia website used to allow us to listen to the entire song, but now we only get a short preview. So . . . having listened to the previews of all the songs for all the routines, I “didn’t like” the music of one routine. That is why I didn’t order it. But I was leery of the “One artist” routine. But the snippets sounded different enough, I thought it would be ok. Turns out . . . not so much. But . . . often times the first “listen through” of a routine’s music reveals an instant “I don’t like”, but that fades or disappears entirely sometimes. So, I have faith it will be fine, but . . . it caused me to decide to work on learning a different routine. So I am in the process of learning a new routine.
I always look at them for the first time and think, “Oh cool. That’s not too hard. I can learn it quick.” But then . . . for me that is not the case. It is one thing to be able to dance to a routine, but it is another to be able to lead it. I could just take it to class and we could play with it, but I like to have a really good handle on it first.
But . . . . somewhat exciting news . . . as is always happening at places that have exercise classes, it seems as if there is going to be a change in the schedule at one of the facilities where I teach. So they are looking to fill a spot, but they don’t really think they want another cardio class, but . . . . I know that it takes time to find the right class and a teacher that can do it, so I offered to do Nia in the meantime. Well, much to my surprise the supervisor took me up on that deal. As in starting next week. The odd thing is – I was already set to sub the class one day, so it is basically like I am taking it over tomorrow.
Another exciting thing is the response I have received from the Nia students that currently attend the other classes I teach. They are excited to have an additional Nia class. Many of them said they would take the class. So . . . we will see. I am secretly –ok, so it is not a secret (!!) hoping that the class will do well and the center will let me keep it. With Group Ex classes we know that nothing is permanent because things sometimes need to change, but there is the “permanent” and we like that. So it could be that I end up taking routines into the classroom sooner than normal if I get to teach four classes a week, regularly!
I am going to go be a student on Saturday. One of the Nia students that used to attend my classes moved to a different area. I am going to visit her. We are going to go to a Nia class she now regularly attends. I think being a student will be a great energizer. I don’t take the time out to be a student as much as I would like. Seems like I am always trying to learn a routine so I don’t take time out from that. But this was planned in advance and it will be perfect.
My hubby and I are still adding to our Goodie Jar. It is looking quite festive with all of the Christmas wrapping paper scraps we are using.
Did I mentioned the Nia Events I have on the calendar for March? There is going to be a Friday evening class and a Saturday playshop? The evening class will be a routine done to 80’s music and the playshop is all about Free Dance. The Nia Teacher that is going to do both is Jason Alan Griffin. I wrote a post about him, First Degree Nia Black Belt Guest Teacher because he brought his Goldfinger routine to the East Bay Area last year.
Whew! So that is what is up with me. Do tell, what is up with you?
Posted in Misc | Tagged: Camden Community Center, cardio class, cardio workout, City of San Jose, East Bay Area Nia, Goldfinger, Goodie Jar, group exercise, iTunes, Jason Alan Griffin, New Nia Routines, Nia, Nia Class with the City, Nia Classes, Nia events, Nia Music, Nia students, playshop, previews of songs, San Jose Group Ex classes, snippets of songs | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on January 8, 2015
Years back I created policies for the classes I teach. There are always different people and different circumstances, so it is important to have polices in place. So, I had these policies in place, but, like I said – people, circumstances – so once when I encountered “people – circumstances” I allowed something against my policy. Then I was upset. I thought about it for days. I was sad, I was mad, I was annoyed. I was upset. I was upset that this person asked me to break my policy. I was upset that I allowed it. I was upset that I took time to think long and hard about my policies and that I took the time, the effort, and the money to print and post disclosure of said polices. I was upset because when someone attends my Nia class at the studio I rent they sign a sign-in sheet stating they agree to the policies. I was upset that I felt unfair to everyone else that complies to the policy and doesn’t even ask to break the policy. I was so grumpy. I resented the entire situation — FOR DAYS! Then I realized, I let it happen. In trying to be nice and allowing the person to break my policy I ended up being REALLY upset. I created something I didn’t enforce. When I do something nice I love the feeling it gives me. I feel nice. I feel as if I am spreading joy. And this nice thing I did, did not make me feel nice. It made me feel stupid. I put all this effort into polices and then I just disregarded them. I learned my lesson. There are polices for a reason. Recently I enforced my polices and I found myself wanting validation. So in sharing my story with a friend she told me, “Don’t resent what you allow.”
See? That is what I figured out long ago. I was so resentful that I allowed a break in policy. I realized that in order to not be resentful I have to stick to my policy. So when I shared with a friend the fact that I just stuck to my polices because I hadn’t once before then I was upset, she said it in this succinct way and told me the story of how she learned it and who told her. She said her friend had told her this when she was having an issue with something she allowed to happen.
Obviously you CAN resent something you allow, but the idea is to avoid that. If you are going to resent it, don’t allow it. So even though I didn’t say it that way, I learned it. I was visiting with a different friend today and we happened upon this same subject. We shared some stories. I was not certain about posting this but then when the subject came up again today, on the day I need to post, I decided it was serendipity.
One huge part in helping me stick to my policies is fairness. If one person asks for an exception and I allow it, then when that same situation happens with someone else in order to be fair I would need to pass on the same exception. But that is not a wise business practice. Policies are made for a reason. In the case of class passes there are multiple reasons. When a class pass is purchased in advance it helps the teacher with business expenses, like licensing, insurance, and rental fees. But first and foremost is it supposed to help motivate the student to attend class. The idea is “you already paid for it, you might as well go to class.” It is encouragement to stick to your fitness routine. So often times, having the policies broken cheats you, too. Because why do you need to go to class to use the pass before it will expire if you know that the expiration will just be extended?
When policies are in place and they are clearly disclosed everyone feels better because they know what is expected.
So that is my story with “Don’t resent what you allow.” Even though I learned the saying AFTER I learned the lesson, I still like it.
What about you? Do you know what I am talking about? Do you resent some things you allow? Is there some changes that you could – would like to – make, in order to be less resentful?
Posted in Misc, Nia | Tagged: allowed resentment, business policies, discount class pass, Don't resent what you allow, enforcing policies, fitness goals, fitness routines, Nia, Nia Classes, Nia students, Nia Technique, policies, resentful | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 18, 2014
I got nothin’! Had a nice visit at Peet’s with my Nia students after Nia class today. So, I didn’t forget about posting, I was just a bit distracted today. Tis the season. I have an idea for Saturday. Hope you’ll be back then.
Posted in Misc | Tagged: Nia class, Nia students, Peet's, tis the season | Leave a Comment »
Posted by terrepruitt on November 18, 2014
I have posted about Nia’s 52 Moves. They are moves that Nia has decided to include in the Nia Routines. They are moves that work the entire body. They exercise the brain and the nervous system. As I have explained before they are not moves unique to Nia. Many dance modalities and exercise modalities incorporate them into their practices. It is somewhat like Bikram Yoga in that they have a set number – 26 Postures – that they move through. The moves are yoga moves, but if you were to practice Bikram Yoga (Hot Yoga) you would know which poses you are going to be doing. That is what Nia has done. They have just gathered 52 Moves and we use them in our Routines. Of course, not ALL moves we do in a Nia Routine are part of Nia’s 52 Moves. We do more than just those 52 movements. Sometimes we do other dance moves. Sometimes the movements we do can be likened to actual dance moves. There is one move that we do that I compare to a Pas de Bourrée. Or more accurately what I learned as the Pas de Bourrée.
Today one of my students asked me what I was saying and I said it so fast and learned it so long ago I never really thought about it. So I decided to look it up and give it a little attention. After class I was thinking about when I first learned it and it was so long ago I don’t even know where I learned it from. It could have been my brief foray into tap and ballet. I am going to assume so. It seems like I don’t know where I learned things like Kick Ball Change, grapevine, Cha-Cha, and the Pas de Bourrée. I am also thinking that I learned it when I was young because I don’t remember ever researching it. Where I think I would be more intimately familiar with the name had I learned it as an adult. But then . . . I really remember also learning it as a “drunken sailor” so . . . I don’t know.
Carlos Aya-Rosas (Nia’s co-founder and the choreographer of the Aya Routine) does not call it a Pas de Bourrée in the routine Aya he actually just puts his feet together then out and that is how he describes it. I instruct it as a Pas de Bourrée. But it is not a Ballet Pas de Bourrée which has one lifting up on ones toes. So that could be why I think of it more as a “drunken sailor”. That visual really helps people do it. Although in some venues that might not be the best of descriptions. It is also like trying to walk on a swaying ship.
So as I said, Carlos, brings his feet together then steps out. When I do it I cross my foot behind, shift my weight and come up a little bit on one foot then step out. It is more of a Jazz Pas de Bourrée than a ballet one. So three steps (Jazz) as compare to four to five steps (Ballet), with no pliés or pointes.
The Free Dictionary says:
pas de bour·rée (pä d b-r, b-)
n. pl. pas de bourrée
“A small stepping movement, often executed on pointe, in which the dancer either skims smoothly across the floor or transfers the weight from foot to foot three times as a transition into another movement.”
I am grateful for my students who remind me to revisit things I know, in order to refresh or learn something new. It is somewhat like the beginners mind when I go back and revisit something. I know how I learned to do the step, but it is nice to take it further and learn more about it.
Are you familiar with the Pas de Bourrée? Have you taken Ballet?
Posted in Nia | Tagged: bikram yoga, dance, exercise for nervous system, grapevine, hot yoga, Kick Ball Change, Nia, Nia 52 moves, Nia class, Nia Dance, Nia routines, Nia San Jose, Nia students, Nia Technique, Pas de Bourree, Yoga | Leave a Comment »
Posted by terrepruitt on October 28, 2014
Whew! I am so relieved. Yesterday while I was thinking about starting to write my post for today, my computer froze. Well, it was doing the “not responding” thing. I had been in the process of shutting all my program so that I could start over, when one of them did that thing. Usually it doesn’t respond for a few minutes then the program closes but this was taking longer. I was impatient and I used my master switch to shut my computer down. Well, it wouldn’t turn back on. I don’t mean it started to boot up and then when wanky, I mean there was nothing. Usually when I press on button the fans start working then the computer slowly turns on. There was nothing. My first thought was “OH NO!” and “Well, at least I know what to ask for as a Christmas present.” I sent out a warning to my hubby. I was warning him that he needed to be available as my “fix-it” guy. Then I started to think about it. The way it didn’t turn on. The way there was NOTHING. I was hoping it was an easy fix. I couldn’t remember exactly what it was but there is a part that is the first place you start when the computer goes wanky. Sometimes, as was the case with me the computer just won’t turn on, other times when the part is going bad it affects other things. Anyway . . . I was hoping it was an easy fix. I talked to my hubby and he reminded me of the part – power supply – and I told him that that was it. The way it was not turning on was definitely power. He agreed after he came home and looked at it. So he grab me one during his day, came home and installed it and I am up and running again. But I didn’t use the day without a computer to think of something to post.
I have a lot of things to post about and whatnot on my computer so when I don’t have something jumping out at me then I scrounge around my computer and find something. Not having a computer would be the same problem I had on Saturday when I didn’t know what to post about. I didn’t have access to my computer then either so I was floundering.
So, I am going to tell you what we did in Nia class today. You know — if you’ve read a few of my post about my Nia classes — I am always wanting the participants in my Nia classes to sound. I want them to make noise. You may also know that many of the Nia students are getting much better. You may also imagine that for people to make noise in a class while they are exercising it helps if they are all making the same noise. People feel more comfortable. One thing you probably don’t know is that I have one student who loves when we have “information” posted on the mirrors or in the class. So I thought I would combine my desire to help people sound with her love of “post-ups”.
I have posted about Healing Sounds that I came across and I have posted about the sounds associated with the Chakras. Well, I decided to use a combination of them. I have a routine I put together of Nia songs. I went through each one and thought of the prevailing sound in the song or a sound that would fit with a move in the song. I made signs and taped them to the mirror.
In the first song the vocals are “AH” so we used AH as associated with helping to balance the Heart Chakra. The next song, I don’t think are actual words, but to me it sounds as if the singer is saying, “Geee” so we had EEE (associated with the Crown Chakra). We did some kicking in the third song so we sounded HAA, which is a healing sounds attributed to calming the heart and alleviating anger. We used SHEE in our next song, the healing sound to relieve stress, tension, and anxiety. Our fourth song had us dancing on one leg a lot so I thought the healing sound to help with balance would be good, SSS. In one song we did something I call the Yo-Yo because I thought Carlos has called it that. When we make that sound we say, “yo-yo”, so I thought the sound associated with the Solar Plexas Chakra – OH, as in “go” – would be good with that song. In one song we danced stances and used our hips so I thought the OOO sound that helps with the Pelvic Chakra would be good to make while we danced. The second to the last song, I picked SHOO, just because I like it and I think the situations associated with that healing sound is something to clear out. That sound is for alleviating problems associated with depression. The last song I decided that we could make the sounds associated with body temperature. The Nia students could pick the one they felt they needed at the moment. There is HOO for warming the body and FOO for cooling the body.
The idea was for them to have sounds in each song that we all would be making. Although it was a set sound or even time. We all made the sound as we wanted. Sometimes someone would make it and we thought that sounded good so we would join in. Sometimes I would lead, like for our kicks we said, “HAA!” and with our “yo-yo” move we said “OH, OH!” But they were free to do what the were moved to do. Also . . . we did not stick to the specifics of the sounds. We were just saying them. Sometimes we said it with our exhale in one long sound, sometimes we made it a chant . . . it was all up to the individual. And, as I said, sometimes we would follow someone’s lead and do what they were doing.
It was great. It was nice to have so much noise going on. It was nice to have people making it their own. It is always great when the Nia students sound.
Don’t you wanna join a Nia Class? Don’t you wanna make some noise?
Posted in Nia | Tagged: alleviate stress, Carlos Aya Rosas, Chakra Vowels, computer fixes, computer problems, crown chakra, Healing Sounds, heart chakra, Nia, Nia class, Nia participants, Nia Sounds, Nia students, power supply, sounding | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on October 9, 2014
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?
Posted in Nia | Tagged: dance exercise, dance studio, eggplant, Facebook, fitness blogs, fitness magazines, fitness websites, Nia, Nia class, Nia Music, Nia students, Nia Teacher, personal training, private Nia session, private yoga session, San Jose Fitness Club, sounding, YMCA, Yoga | 2 Comments »
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