Posts Tagged ‘San Jose Nia’
Posted by terrepruitt on May 30, 2009
In Nia (TM) our movement is for Joy. “Joy is not a technique or a choreographic method. It is an attitude toward the body and toward life. Joy is not just for when things in like are going well. It is an open accepting energy that accepts whatever comes its way.” (1) This is Universal Joy.
So we choose during our workouts to sense Joy and to seek the Joy of Movement. Throughout our routine we seek to sustain that Universal Joy. If we are able, we actually increase it. When we lose it or if we are doing a move that causes it to faulter, we tweak.
I think these can be applied to life. That is what I love about Nia. We have all these thoughts and ideas that we apply to our workouts, but they aren’t necessarily new and they can applied to life.
When you are doing something that gives you joy don’t you want to keep doing it? When you have joy don’t you want to increase it? When you start to lose it don’t you do something to tweak it and bring it back?
That is what we do throughout our work out. We are using our bodies to seek the sensation of Joy and if we find it and we can increase it, we do. If we start to lose it we can tweak it. Our workouts are about one’s own body and how it feels. So while you are following the teacher you are also paying close attention to yourself and making sure that you are sensing the Joy of Movement.
This is one of the things that makes Nia such a different workout. We are actually “sustaining, increasing, and tweaking” the entire time. Universal Joy. Allowing our bodies to move for pure pleasure. Doesn’t that sound like something you want to do?
(I have added an Evening class to my schedule. Teaching in San Jose (Willow Glen) three times a week; two AM classes and one evening class. Teaching at a member only club in Los Gatos in the evening once a week. Check out my Nia Class schedule on my site, HelpYouWell.com)
(1) From The Nia Technique – White Belt Manual March 2001, V3 page 2-4
Posted in Nia | Tagged: joy, Joy of Movement, Los Gatos Club, Los Gatos Nia, Nia, Nia Los Gatos, Nia San Jose, Nia Technique, pleasure, San Jose Nia, San Jose Workout, Universal Joy, White Belt, Willow Glen Nia, Willow Glen Workout, workout | Leave a Comment »
Posted by terrepruitt on May 23, 2009
I had been thinking about getting some henna decoration around my ankles or on the lower legs. I was thinking that would be cool since people tend to look at my feet a lot since I am a group exercise instructor teaching Nia. I had been looking for an artisit in San jose. But, then I saw pictures from a Yelp Event and there had been a Henna Artist there doing tattoos. These were the first tattoos I had seen that had sparkles and glitter on them. Ooooooo, now we are talking!
So I contacted her and started learning a bit about Henna and Henna Tattoos. First of all when the henna is applied and it is like puff paint, it is raised and thick and initially wet. So the glitter is applied when it is wet and I imagine this is done when one is at an event or a party, because then it looks extra pretty. As the Henna dries it starts to flake off and if you have glitter that will probably flake off too.
As I was looking at Henna and Beyond website I read that it is believed that putting henna on the skin started out as a way to cool people in the desert, “When the desert people of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Gujarat became aware of Henna’s cooling properties, they dipped their hands and feet in a mud or paste made with the crushed leaves of the plant. Even when the mud was scraped off, they noticed, as long as the color remained visible, their body temperatures stayed low.” This really fascinated me. I know so many women who, if this is true, might want to try Henna tattoos. If this works for some people think of how we could save on electricity during heat waves.
I went to Rachna of Henna and Beyond and had some art work done. One of the things you can do to help achieve a dark stain is to put oil or tiger balm on it. Well, I tried both—sort of. I put oil on it, but it was so light that I was afraid that wasn’t helping so I turned to some “hot sauce” that my hubby had made during his Jujitsu days.
Now I don’t know if the Hot sauce or the henna is making me cold, but it is a perfect temperature in my house and I have socks on and I just drank tea. I have not yet washed the hot sauce off, although I am sure there is not much on after sleeping, because I am still in the 24-hours-without-water-period that you wait in order to assist the Henna color to last. I am really thinking that the Henna does have cooling properties. It could be that it does for me because I have that in my head, I don’t know, but it is fascinating.
I like my decorations. I have learned a bit from this first time. Next time I will get the decoration a little higher and not on the foot. I want it on areas that move less so the flaking isn’t so bad with every movement. But hopefully I have weeks before I need to think about that. The tattoos will hopefully last two weeks. I invite you to try it and let me know if it cools your body temperature down. I would love to hear.
Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: 24 hours, exercise, group exercise, Henna, Henna and Beyond, henna decoration, Henna Tattoos, Jujitsu, Nia, Nia San Jose, San Jose exercise, San Jose Nia | 7 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on May 21, 2009
This morning as I was trying to figure out what to write about, it dawned on me that I wasn’t practicing what I was preaching about being true to myself.
I was trying to decide what to write. I want to write stuff that people will read. I am worried about people not reading it. I am worried that they won’t like it. I am worried that I am not following my own self initiated schedule of healthful on Tuesdays and Saturdays with Thursdays less in that realm. Because of all my worries I couldn’t think of what to write, I felt as if my thoughts were twisted like the most twisty Yoga pose. Then it hit me, my real intent of all of this, my blog is somewhat like a mini resume.
When people ask me about their resume or they share that they are confused because they don’t know what to put on it because they hear this and they hear that, I ALWAYS tell them to follow their heart and write a resume they would like. Some of who they are needs to be in that resume because they want to be happy at their new job. The person that is going to hire them and the place where they will fit the best will be the person that likes the resume at the company that accepts it. So if you put a little of yourself in it, then it should all work out.
So with my social media stuff I need to think the same way. I am tweeting so people will see me, and learn from me and want to train and workout with me. When I retweet something, it is something I like, so that is showing a little bit of me. Twitter is different for everyone, we all have different reasons for being there, so if you don’t like the tweets you are seeing don’t follow. I follow to learn and network, so I won’t follow you if I see tweets I don’t like. That is Twitter.
For me Facebook is more personal. I am not “friending” everyone because I like to be less business-y there. Although I do post a lot of stuff about Nia, that is just because I am practicing it and I like the way it makes me feel so I want to share with others. And I am growing my garden of Nia flowers so I tend to repost their information so that others can see what people think about Nia and maybe come try it for themselves.
With my blog I have a few goals. I want to share about events that happen in my areas, Los Gatos, San Jose (Willow Glen, Berryessa) and around, I want to entertain a bit, and I want to help people learn, but I don’t need to be all scientific as I first thought. Every time I go to write a blog with a bunch of interesting facts, I find a bunch of other sites with a bunch of interesting facts. I think that people can go to those sites if they want the science and the statistics. I will keep it simple. And you will either like it or you won’t, but I think if you like it then you will enjoy my classes and enjoy training with me.
My point is that I need to stop worrying and just start doing so that we can get on with it. I need to be me so you can see who I am and then say, “Yeah, I would like to go to her class.” So, whew . . . what a relief, now I just have to remember to actually practice what I preach. You are welcome to remind me.
Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: Facebook, healthful, Los Gatos Nia, Los Gatos Tuesday classes, Nia, Nia Berryessa, Nia Los Gatos, Nia San Jose, Nia Willow Glen, Practice, San Jose, San Jose Nia, San Jose Tuesday classes, San Jose Workout, San Jose Yoga, schedule of classes, social media, Tuesday classes, Twitter, Willow Glen Nia, Willow Glen Tuesday classes, Willow Glen Yoga, Yoga | 8 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on May 19, 2009
At one point there was information released that stated one could be active for 30 minutes a day, five days a week and the result would be improved health. I somehow was under a different impression, and I think my impression is better for overall health.
I thought that the information had said that the 30 minutes needed to be EVERY DAY and that it was for healthy people to maintain health. So my conclusion was that if one wanted to actually improve one’s health one needed to be doing a workout OVER and above the recommended 30 minutes of activity a day five days a week.
Maybe I was seeing into the future of recommendations. Seems like the people that make these recommendations are now saying that more activity IS needed.
What it really boils down to is that everyone is different. Recommendations that are published are broad, everyone has different goals. I would think that some people could improve their health in 30 minutes a day five days a week, but there are a lot more people that need more, just to get healthy. It is estimated that 1 in 3 adults has high blood pressure and they don’t even know it. High blood pressure is not healthy and it possible to lower it with exercise, but it might take more than 30 minutes a day.
I recommend 30 minutes of activity every day. The 30 minutes can be anything . . . .cleaning house, walking the dog, gardening, shopping, almost anything where you are moving your body and active. THEN in addition to that 30 minutes every day, there should be an exercise routine. Everyone is different. Everyone has different goals. Everyone has different likes and dislikes. If you are trying to get healthy, I would suggest you examine your goals, then look at the vast amount of exercise options out there and try some.**
There is so much out there it is amazing. There is Yoga, there is Zumba, there is Pilates, there is Nia, there is Cycling, there is Weight Training, oh, the list goes on. Try something. San Jose, Los Gatos, Cupertino, and San Ramon and all cities around have plenty of gyms, clubs, yoga studios, dance studios, etc., and most of them have a vararity of things to try.
Don’t think that the old recommendation of 30 minutes per day will give you the results you want, try more, get out there .. . . move!
**before starting any exercise program you should clear it with your doctor.
Posted in Exercise and Working Out | Tagged: 30 Minutes per day, cleaning house, Cupertino Nia, exercies routine, exercise program, gardening, high blood pressure, Los Gatos Yoga, Nia, overall health, San Jose Dance Studio, San Jose Gym, San Jose Nia, San Jose Pilates, San Jose Yoga, San Jose Zumba, San Ramon Nia, walking the dog, Yoga | 3 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on April 30, 2009
Tonight we are going to dinner in Willow Glen, which is San Jose, but San Jose is large and spread out so having the sections help us determine the general location. Downtown Willow Glen is where I have my Nia classes, and is fairly close to downtown San Jose.** We went with a group of people who Yelp (so they are called Yelpers) on Yelp.com.
We are going to Opa. It is a Greek Restaurant. I am part Greek. I didn’t like Greek food until recently. Since we are going to a Greek Restaurant it started me thinking about one of my favorite snacks that I have been having lately. Greek Yogurt. I didn’t even know that there is such a thing until about two years ago—and I am Greek.
There are probably as many different brands of yogurt as there is (types of) Yoga, just like there are different brands of regular yogurt, but what you will find is that Greek Yogurt is thicker. It seems creamier. And it typically has less sugar and a lot more protein.
I have been eating plain non-fat to which I added a little bit of sugar, vanilla, and some super crunchy cereal. Yum. So I guess you could say that I am using it like milk. But I won’t drink non-fat milk, but I will eat non-fat yogurt and get a lot more protein! Plus with its smooth, think, creaminess it is like dessert for breakfast!
Also, during our heat wave I decided to make chicken salad sandwiches for dinner. I didn’t realize we were out of mayo when I decided on that refreshing dinner. But I used the yogurt instead. It worked great because it is more like mayo in consistency than regular yogurt. Don’t tell my husband because it also has less fat and more protein than mayo. And I did add a little bit of mayo so it would taste like regular mayonnaised chicken salad.
So next time you are in the store you might want to pick up some Greek yogurt and do some experimenting of your own with it. It can be used a little differently than regular yogurt. Then let me know what recipe you used it in. I am always looking for new things to make!
**Good thing I looked up the event before we went, granted it was after I posted this, but we actually ended up going to Opa in Los Gatos! It is important to check on event locations and not assume . . . . . 🙂
Posted in Food | Tagged: chicken salad, dessert for breakfast, Greek, Greek food, Greek snack, Greek yogurt, Los Gatos, Los Gatos Nia, Los Gatos Yoga, mayo substitute, Nia Classes, Nia in Los Gatos, Opa, San Jose, San Jose Greek Restaurant, San Jose Nia, San Jose Yoga, Willow Glen, Willow Glen Yoga, Yelp, Yelp.com, Yelpers, Yoga, Yoga Los Gatos | 6 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on April 28, 2009
Here are a few pictures from the 2009 event. I believe this is what is pictured:
Belly Dance – Raqset Wadi al Shams (Saida)
and Middle Eastern Belly Dance – Hala Dance Company (Hala)
And don’t forget Halanda Studio Celebrates Bay Area National Dance Week by offering FREE attendance for new students.
Participating classes include:
Tuesday April 28:
Zumba Fitness: 5:30pm-6:30pm
Fusion Bellydance: 6:30pm-8pm
Hip Hop: 8pm-9pm
Bellydance Basics: 9pm-10pm
Wednesday April 29:
Nia Technique with Terre: 9am-10am
Hala Dance Troupe Rehearsal: 6pm-8pm
Bellydance for Fun & Fitness: 8pm-10pm
Thursday April 30:
Yoga and Core: 6pm-7pm
Tribal Basics: 7pm-8pm
Tribal Fusion: 8pm-9pm
Friday May 1:
Nia Technique with Terre: 9am-10am (Halanda’s website does not state this, but let’s go with it!)
Near Eastern Dance: Bellydance & Beyond: 6:15pm-7:30pm
Saturday May 2:
Zumba Fitness: 8:15am-9:15am
Thursday May 7:
Dances of Persia and the Silk Road: 9pm-10pm
To attend for free, please sign in at the door and let the instructor know you are attending for National Dance Week. Please note that classes which are not specifically on this list are not able to offer free classes during this week.
This is an annual event so you can look forward to attending next year!
Posted in Exercise and Working Out | Tagged: Bay Area Dance, Bay Area National Dance Week, Belly Dance, fitness, Free Belly Dance Classes in San Jose, Free Classes in San Jose, Halanda, Halanda Studio, Hip Hop, Middle Eastern Belly Dance, National Dance Week, Nia, Qi Gong Flow, San Jose Fitness, San Jose Hip Hop, San Jose Nia, San Jose Nia Technique, San Jose Zumba, Terre, Terre Pruitt, Tribal Dance, Zumba | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on April 25, 2009
When I was studying for my Personal Trainer Certification I came across a book I thought would be helpful, The Muscle Book by Paul Blakey. After buying it, I took another class for which this book was recommended reading. The book is also recommended reading for Nia teachers. Obviously instructors think it is helpful too. It is a good book. It is very simple and easy to understand.
It has 45 pages, it is black and white, and spiral bound. Page 4 explains how to use the book, because every page that describes a muscle has a lot of information on it. Each page gives you the muscle name and where the name originated, it explains the possible movement issues, and advises that certain actions can injure or cause pain. There are line drawing illustrations, action of the muscle, the muscles origin and insertion, and the muscle’s contribution muscle (synergists). And last but not least “Finger First Aid”.
At first I thought the “Finger First Aid” was ridiculous because the book claims it strengthens weak muscles. Then I realized that it is great instructions on massage or what I am thinking of as acupressure, because the “massage” is not of the muscle itself, but of the origin and the insertion. The book claims that massaging these areas “stimulates the circulation”.
A few times when my upper back was sore, I had my husband press the points as shown in the book and it really helped. He didn’t really massage my back, but just pressed the points and it was amazing the relief I felt.
So, I wanted to share it with you because it is easy to read, which makes it easy to learn from. I really like this book and I refer back to it often, and I am a believer now, in what Mr. Blakey calls “Finger First Aid”.
I bet you can find this book in any book store in most cities like: San Jose, Los Gatos, San Ramon, Mountain View, etc. or through Amazon.
Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: acupressure, Finger First Aid, Los Gatos Nia, muscle, Muscle Book, muscle insertion, muscle origin, Nia San Jose, Nia teachers, San Jose Nia, San Jose Persaonl Trainer, San Ramon Nia | Leave a Comment »
Posted by terrepruitt on April 23, 2009
I am so excited and intrigued by the Dance Anywhere idea, I wanted to blog more about it. It is happening tomorrow (Friday, April 24, 2009 at noon PST), so I suggest you adjust your schedule and put it on your calendar. Just think the world could look like those train station videos. Have you seen them?
Ok, so the world probably won’t look like those videos, they are obviously choreographed and probably rehearsed, but so what? How fun would that be?
If you look at Beth Fein’s site you will see (http://www.danceanywhere.org) that there are videos and pictures of past events. There are people dancing on the street, on hiking trails, in homes, and all over the world.
Unfortunately I won’t be in San Jose, where I am confident the earth will be shaking (from the collective dancing), I am going to be driving to a Nia Intensive I want to audit. But I did register so I am planning on dancing in my car. The tricky part is going to be the picture . . . . hmmmm? Maybe at noon I will have to plan a stop. I can dance where ever I stop! I think that is it! What about you? Where are you going to be? Where ever you are, stop and dance it doesn’t have to be a big dance, just join us!
Posted in Exercise and Working Out | Tagged: 2009, April 24, car dancing, Dance Anywhwere, Dancing, dancing Nia, excited, intrigued, Nia, Nia dancing, Nia Intensive, Nia San Jose, San Jose Nia, train station dances, train station videos | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on April 21, 2009
The studio at which I teach my Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and sometimes Sunday classes, participates in the Bay Area National Dance Week. This is a week (actually 10 days) where all types of classes and performances are free.
The location of the classes range from San Francisco, to the East Bay, to the South Bay, to the Peninsula, and the North Bay. There is Zumba and Ballroom in San Francisco, Salsa in Oakland, ballet in Berkley, Mountain View, Walnut Creek, and Los Gatos. Pole dancing in Redwood City, Nia and Belly Dancing in San Jose . . . . Whew. If there is a class for it, it is part of the Bay Area National Dance Week, more classes include; Flamenco, Greek, Hip Hop, Hula, Hula Hoop, oh, far too many classes and locations to list.
Friday, April 24, 2009, at noon there is going to be a Conga line. Per the booklet: “Dancers and non-dancers, students and adults will join our downtown visitors, shoppers, and workers on the streets of San Francisco.” There will be performances on the Union Square stage.
You might want to check out their site: http://www.bayareandw.org for all the information.*
Also Friday at noon there is Dance Anywhere. Oh, yeah, that is what they mean, where ever you are at noon on Friday, dance. Now, I am thinking that the dance doesn’t have to be big. You can just tap your toe and bob your head, but whatever, I think it would be cool to join in: http://www.danceanywhere.org/
This 10 day event is from Friday, April 24, 2009, to Sunday, May 3, 2009. Don’t miss it!
If you attend one of my Nia classes from April 27th to May 1st and mention the event you can take the class for free.
Please check www.HelpYouWell.com for class schedule changes. Thank you.
*As of 06.06.20 – this site appears to not exist. Sorry.
Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: Ballroom, Bay Area National Dance Week, Certified Nia White Belt, Conga, Free classes, Free Nia Class, Hip Hop, hula, Hula Hoop, Licensed Nia Teacher, Los Gatos Nia, Nia Classes, Nia San Jose, San Jose Ballet, San Jose Belly Dancing, San Jose Nia, San Jose Salsa, San Jose Zumba, San Ramon Nia, South Bay | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on April 11, 2009
I want to remind everyone that Nia™ or Nia Technique® is a specific practice.** It was created in 1983 by Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas. They were married and now they are not, but Nia is such an important part of their lives and so important to them, that they continue to work together.
Nia has different belt levels; White Belt, the newly added Green Belt, Blue Belt, Brown Belt, and Black Belt. Each Belt has its own set of principles, except for Green. You must wait a year in between belts before you can take the next intensive. (Except for green because it a newly added in the system to assist teachers.)
Click here for more info on classes and Nia
I am a White Belt, so I continue to work with the thirteen White Belt Principles:
1–The Joy of Movement
2–Natural Time and the Movement Forms
3–Music and the 8BC System
4–FreeDance
5–Awareness – Dancing Through Life
6–The Base; Feet and Legs
7–The Three Planes and the Three Levels of Intensity
8–The Core of the Body; Pelvis, Chest, and Head
9–Creative Arm and Hand Expressions
10–X-Ray Anatomy
11–Business and Marketing
12–Continuing Education
13–Dance What You Sense / Teach What You Sense
When I talk about Nia it is based on what Debbie and Carlos have created. They have been working and growing with Nia for 25 years. And if you look at their work and information you will see that it has morphed a little. It is the same basic practice but I believe it gets refined as they grow and change.
So please keep in mind when I talk about Nia, I am talking about something wonderful and specific and it is entirely based on the work of Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas.
Please join me in San Jose for a Nia class. Visit my website for the schedule http://www.helpyouwell.com/
**This post is to explain that “Nia” and “Nia-things” I talk about are primarily from the creators of Nia BUT please keep in mind . . . . Nia is also a workout that can be experienced, just like a Yoga, Zumba, Jazzercise, or any group exercise class. One can show up to class and just move and get a great workout. One does not have to participant in the intensive and the belt levels.
Visit Nia’s main website at: www.nianow.com
Posted in Nia, Nia White Belt Principles | Tagged: 8BCs, Carlos Rosas, Debbie Rosas, exercise class, exercise classes, great workout, group exercise, group exercise class, Jazzercise, joy, Nia, Nia Belt levels, Nia Practice, Nia San Jose, Nia Technique, Nia White Belt, Nia workout, San Jose exercise class, San Jose exercise classes, San Jose Nia, the joy of movement, thirteen White Belt Principles, workout class, Yoga, Yoga class, Yoga Practice, Zumba, Zumba class | 3 Comments »
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