May 2006

The Nia Community

We are always looking for writing submissions from the Nia community. If you have an article, commentary, poem, or any other piece of writing you would like to submit, please send it our way. We want to know how Nia is working in your life, and we want to share your thoughts with all of our community.

Please send all submissions to niaeditor@nianow.com

From our Mail Bag

Nia Speeds Recovery after Cancer Surgery, and Provides Outlet of Expression for Emotionally Disturbed Children

Dear Friends at Nia,

I have been so honored and proud of my license and affiliation with Nia for the past 15 months. I was so fortunate to do my White Belt Intensive with Denise in Pompano Beach in December 2004, and then in January 2005, had the awesome pleasure to meet and dance with Debbie when she came to Shula's on her birthday. What an exciting time for everyone.

Since earning my White Belt, I brought Nia into the school where I work as a Family Therapist. This is a school for Severely Emotionally Disturbed children; children with mental illness ranging from severe ADHD to Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorders. Nia has provided the children another outlet for self-expression, positive experiences in social interactions and group cohesion, and a myriad of other benefits to the mind, body and spirit. In addition to teaching Nia to the children, I have been able to substitue on a few occasions; however, have not utilized my skills to offer Nia classes to the public. It is my hope that I will be able to do that in the future.

In the fall of 2005, I was diagnosed with a recurrence of ovarian cancer. I went through many tests, etc. and surgery was scheduled. I became extremely ill; the tumor became larger, jeopardizing my life. Emergency surgery became necessary on 12/24/05. Following the surgery and hospitalization, I had lost 45 pounds, and was very weak.

In less than a month after my surgery, I returned to my Nia class. I missed Nia and the community of students in my classes. Upon return, it was a joy to be able to move, even with the limited ability level that my body could tolerate, and the effects of the medications I was taking. The most frustrating time for me was not being able to do turns; I got too dizzy. So I did the grapevine - and it was okay, but, I do love to turn.

I believe so heartily that Nia has made such a difference in my recovery. My level of stamina, body strength, and my spirit and outlook were so improved and I definitely believe that this made a significant difference in how well I tolerated the second surgery.

I was able to go back to my classes after only two weeks following the second surgery. I continue to be able to do more, stretch further, and experience deeper joy. I hope to explore what might be available to other post surgical patients in participating in Nia as part of their recovery.

… Nia continues to be so important to me, the inner connection I have made with myself, my beauty - even with the trials of illness and surgery, as well as the connections made between the students and teachers. Nia is very powerful and I am so grateful that Nia is.

Namaste,

Ronni Blunt
Nia White Belt and Teacher

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