Posts Tagged ‘Nia’
Posted by terrepruitt on December 31, 2012
WOW! The last day. The last day of 2012. The last day of the 2012 December 30 Minute Movement Challenge! So much excitement, who can handle it?
How do you feel? Do you feel good having done a month worth of moving for at least 30 minutes? Do you think you can continue? Do you need to check in? Talk to me.
I am teaching Nia this morning. We will see if I get an additional 30 minutes in! I don’t know that I will, but I do know that I will make certain to get in at least 30 minutes on New Year’s Day. There is a Nia class . . . . maybe I will go to that?
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I wish you a spectacular 2013. I look forward to seeing you back here next year!
Posted in December 2012 30 Minute Movement Challenge | Tagged: December 30 Minute Movement Challenge, Happy New Year, last day of 2012, Nia, Nia class, teaching Nia | 10 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 27, 2012
Principle #7 of the Nia Blue Belt is “Nia Class Format” with the tagline of “Delivering the Promise”. Before starting to write this post I opened my Blue Belt Manual and started reading what it said about principle #7 and for a moment I couldn’t remember learning anything about the principle in the training. In the manual there is six and a half page table comparing a “Body/Mind/Spirit Teaching Style” to a “Traditional Teaching Style”. I found myself thinking, “well, not any longer”. As in the traditional style is really “old school”. A lot of classes now adopt the formula that has ALWAYS been a part of a Nia class. Nia is different from many other workouts. I believe in the almost 30 years that Nia has been around fitness classes have changed a lot and Nia is not the only one that incorporates a more mind-body approach. Although I say that Nia is more a body-mind approach because Nia actually STARTS in the body. So . . . hmmmm? If other classes are now doing what Nia has always done it goes a long way in showing that it is the better way.
Here is an example of the table, this is copied directly from The Nia Technique – Blue Belt Manual, August 2006, V4.0, page 132:
| Class Element: |
Body/Mind/Spirit Teaching Style: |
Traditional Teaching Style: |
| Use of Language |
Uses healing phrases, words, and
visualizations that foster a positive self image. |
Often times makes negative comments in humorous ways
that devalue the human spirit and lessen a positive
self-image of the human being. |
| Individuality |
Stresses the importance of individuality. |
Stresses conformity. |
These are just two examples, as I said there are six and a half pages. And, this table is not saying that every class that is not Nia does the things listed under Traditional Teaching Style. It is just a sample of what some styles are like.
I like the table in the manual. I feel it is a great tool. I can see that sometimes I am using the Traditional Teaching Style (neither of the ones previously mentioned) and that is exactly why I wanted to participate in the Nia Blue Belt Intensive. I wanted to work more on “delivering the (Nia) promise”. I had been taught to exercise via the traditional way so that is what I know or knew. I like the reminder of the Body/Mind/Spirit Teaching Style. I also need the reminder because other people have been taught the other way too so that is what they respond best too. It really is up to me to show them the alternative. It is up to me to deliver Nia with the Nia class formula so that they can see that there is another way to workout.
This principle is about Body, Mind and Emotion, and Spirit. Nia Blue Belt Principle #3 will assist me with this principle. They are all connected.
Two things I want to mention to help clarify, when Nia talks about spirit, it is not in the religious sense, it is comparable to spirit as in “class spirit” or “spirit week”. Ya know, like they do in high schools? It is about the inner “you”, your enthusiasm, what drives you, your “spirit”, not something related to religion.
And the other thing, I believe that Nia is working on re-writing, adjusting, and updating the training material. Nia is always working to remain up-to-date. The trainers were working off of slides that were not even final.
Are you curious enough yet about Nia to find a Nia class in your area? Do you prefer a Body/Mind/Spirit Teaching Style or a Traditional Teaching Style when you take a class?
Posted in Blue Belt, Nia | Tagged: and Spirit", Blue Belt Manual, body, Body/Mind/Spirit Teaching Style, Delivering the Promise, fitness classes, Mind and Emotion, Nia, Nia Blue Belt Intensive, Nia Blue Belt Principle #3, Nia class, Nia Class Format, Nia trainers, old school workout class, Principle #7 of the Nia Blue Belt, Traditional Teaching Style | Leave a Comment »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 27, 2012
WOW FIVE DAYS LEFT! I am not teaching a Nia class tonight since the community center is closed, so I will get my 30 minutes in early and maybe even more, right? Yeah.
How about you? How are you doing? Five days left . . . . you can do it!
Posted in December 2012 30 Minute Movement Challenge | Tagged: Day 27, December 2012 30 Minute Movement Challenge, December 30 Minute Movement Challenge, Nia, Nia class | 3 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 26, 2012
Oddly enough, most of my Nia Students don’t even celebrate Christmas. Most of them belong to a different religion that does not participate. So why not get together and celebrate the end of the year, the holiday they celebrate, the holiday I celebrate, and just ourselves as a Nia Community! Since today, Wednesday, is a day I have a Nia class regularly we are dancing, just as we did on Christmas Eve . . . . . Joy as Usual (a take off of “Business as usual).
And you? You are here to check in for the 26th day of the December 30 Minute Movement Challenge! Yay you!
I’ll be back with my check in!
Posted in December 2012 30 Minute Movement Challenge | Tagged: Business as usual, celebrate Christmas, Christmas Eve, Day 26, December 30 Minute Movement Challenge, end of the year, Joy as Usual, Nia, Nia class, Nia community, Nia students, religion | 3 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 25, 2012
It is Christmas, and while I did not have to “work” — as in teach a Nia class, I still have to “work” — as in post a blog post. Had I been a little more organized I would have had it written and had it post on a timer, but I was not that prepared. I had been thinking about what to write when last Monday after Nia one of my students was talking about one of her family’s traditions. I had asked her to give me more info or to write about it. But as I had been interrupting her story, I stopped my line of questioning/instruction and she finished her story and then I never got back to asking her more information. Then on Wednesday I forgot. I was thinking I would see her on Christmas Eve, but I did not. So I am going to share her tradition without a lot details as to how it works for her family because I don’t know them. I think the idea is so cute I wanted to share. THEN, I got one of the greatest Christmas gifts ever last night and I wanted to share a bit of it too. So Merry Christmas. This is me sharing a tradition of one of my students that maybe you would like to do yourself and a beautiful gift I received.
First the cool tradition. I haven’t heard a lot of the details but it sounds as if my student’s kids are going to moving out soon. I believe that is one of the reasons she shared with us the tradition she started when they were young. She has had her kids gift each other a Christmas ornament every year. She was saying, when I came into the conversation, that this way they will have a start on having ornaments for their tree when they move out AND they will sentimental value. Each ornament will be a memory. She had said that one year her son crafted a little birdcage and put a picture of a bird in it to represent their family pet. I thought that was so cute. Not only did her son have an ornament for his sister, but he had made it. You may know from reading some of my previous posts that I LOVE Christmas Ornaments. I love the entire process of unwrapping each one to hang on the tree. It is as if I am receiving little mini Christmas gifts with each ornament I unwrap and place on the tree. And many have memories attached, so to me decorating the tree is a lovely process and tradition. So I really, really, really, really, really LOVED this idea. As I mentioned, I loved it so much I wanted to share it. I think it is great to have kids receive “their own” ornaments that they can take with them when they move out and that will have meaning for them.
Now one of the greatest gifts I received was a book. Apparently my nephew-in-law has a brilliant girlfriend. She had a book made for his sisters that contains their grandma’s favorite recipes and a party tip. His girlfriend designed it to have the actual copy of the recipe placed on the page along with family pictures. You might have read some post on my blog that shared the fact that their grandmother (my mother-in-law) died last year in November. My sister-in-law (John’s sister) is a smart cookie too and she knows a great idea when she sees it and she asked if she could use the book template for gifts also. So SHE swapped out some of the pictures to include more of the recipient’s family. So the ones made for the girls have more pictures pertaining to them. The one made for my husband and I has more pictures pertaining to us and so on. FANTABULOUS! It is awesome!
I am in awe of BOTH of these things . . . . the ornament tradition AND this wonderful recipe book. I hope you had a Merry Christmas and the rest of this season is grand for you.
Do you have any holiday traditions to share? Maybe you have had a custom for a long time? Maybe you just started one? Did you get a gift that you are excited about that you want to share? Tell us!
Posted in Misc | Tagged: Christmas, Christmas Eve, Christmas gifts, Christmas memory, Christmas ornament, Christmas tradition, Christmas Tree, family traditions, Merry Christmas, Nia, Nia class, Nia students, recipe book, work on Christmas | 6 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 24, 2012
Whoa-ho-ho-ho! It’s Christmas Eve! WOW! Ok, we were talking about this last week in my Nia class —- TECHNICALLY (!) it is Christmas Eve MORNING! Funny that! Anyway . . . . here we are the day before Christmas and, yes we are still on track with our December 30 Minute Movement Challenge, right? YES! Keep on going. Let’s finish this up!
Thank you for being here.
Do I hear sleigh bells? I’m gonna go look. I’ll be back . . . . I might get my 30 minutes in chasing a sleigh! But actually I have a Nia class to teach today, but only one. I will probably end up counting that as my 30 minutes since it IS Christmas Eve and I have “Christmas Eve-y” things to do. 😉
Posted in December 2012 30 Minute Movement Challenge | Tagged: Christmas, Christmas Eve, Day 23, day before Christmas, December 30 Minute Movement Challenge, Ho-ho-ho, Nia, Nia class, sleigh bells | 3 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 21, 2012
WOW! Day 21 of the December 30 Minute Movement Challenge. I’m 20 for 21, how about you. I missed Friday, December 7th. Still not sure how that happened. The day just escaped me. That happens, right? But we just keep on truckin’!
I don’t have a Nia class to teach today so I need to get my own self moving! 🙂 I’ll be back.
Thank you! Glad you are here!
Posted in December 2012 30 Minute Movement Challenge | Tagged: Day 21, December 30 Minute Movement Challenge, Nia, Nia class, Nia Teacher, teach Nia | 3 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 20, 2012
One day driving in San Jose I noticed a utility box painted as a huge flower. I thought it was the coolest idea. The boxes are not the prettiest things and they are everywhere so why not paint them. Then some time later, on my way home from either my Monday or Wednesday Nia class, I noticed a man sitting near the curb while I was at a stop light. It didn’t register in my brain what he was doing until I was past him and the corner. I had pull over to the curb and back up a little to get back to him. He was painting the utility box. He explained to be that it was the San Jose Art Box Project. I posted about it in July. I followed up with a post of his finished project in August. Since then I have snapped a few pictures of boxes painted throughout the city. Well, at least in the places I go. I am sure there are other ones around that I don’t even see. But I did happen to spot the ones on my normal paths. I even found the flower one that I first noticed. I wasn’t sure where I had noticed it, but then I found it.
Here are six that I have seen around. I am sure there are more. I would love for people to contact me and send me pictures so that I can include more on my blog. Some might wonder what painted utility boxes have to do with health and wellness, and if they are wondering that then I doubt I could explain it. But for those of you that appreciate a little color, I am sure you understand. I might not even particularly like the way the box is painted, but I do like that fact that they are painted. I love the fact that art is being added to our industrialization. I love that the artist is basically a volunteer, they get paid, but I think that barely covers the cost of the paint. I love that people in the community are donating to such a project.
It is kind of fun to be sitting at a light just waiting for it to turn green and then all of a sudden spotting an Art Box. Then it is fun planning the path to get to it. Some of them are on really busy corners . . . . like the rose . . . I couldn’t really step out to far in the street to get a good shot, but I did what I could.
I believe the art on the box must be reflective of the neighborhood. That would explain the coffee art box. It was right in front of a Starbucks.
Normally I would put them in a collage, but I am short on time and so here are some of the pictures of the utilities boxes in San Jose. I have a lot so this post will be some, then my next post will be the rest.
This was the set in front of the Starbucks!
You can see the little coffee cups has faces!
So cute!
I forgot to get a picture of the artist’s label so I don’t know who did these coffee cups.
Chris has a sense of humor. See the purple cat dressed as a yellow bird? Sneaky!
This one is very colorful and had different types of art on the box.
This woman is an example of what I mean by “different types” of art.
Stay tuned for the rose. The box that I actually saw first and thought it was just a one time thing.
So how do you like the art so far? Don’t you think it is cool?
Posted in Misc | Tagged: Art boxes, Chris Hofer Borror, Fernando Amaro, Isabel Quinonez, Jim Fonseca, Jr., Micha Bariteau, Monday Nia class in San Jose, Nia, Nia class, painted utility boxes, San Jose Art Project, Starbucks, volunteer artists, Wednesday Nia class in San Jose | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 20, 2012
WHOA! Five days until Christmas! Only 11 days left of our December 30 Minute Movement Challenge. We can all do it! I don’t have a Nia class to teach today so getting in my 30 minutes is on the top of my list! I’ll be back to check in.
Thank you for being here!
Posted in December 2012 30 Minute Movement Challenge | Tagged: Christmas, December 2012 30 Minute Movement Challenge | Tagged: Day #20, December 30 Minute Movement Challenge, Nia, Nia class, Nia Teacher, teach Nia | 3 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 19, 2012
Wednesday and day #19 of the December 30 Minute Movement Challenge, how are you doing? Still hanging in there I see. Love that you are here. So how is your 30 minutes going? I am teaching a Nia class this morning, but I will be back to check in!
Posted in December 2012 30 Minute Movement Challenge | Tagged: Day #19, December 30 Minute Movement Challenge, Nia, Nia class, Nia Teacher, teach Nia | 6 Comments »
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