Licensed Teacher Content | June 2006
Nia Teacher Community
On March 11th, 2006 a very special Nia Angel came to my aid.
Back in January of this year I slipped on some ice in a parking lot and ruptured a disc. Up to this time I had not had any back problems, especially since I stopped being a runner and doing high-impact aerobics five years ago when I found Nia.
I had been teaching ten Nia classes a week when I had to have surgery in February on my back. I was, for the first time in many years of teaching, unable to teach for at least four weeks after surgery. I was also unable to work my job as an RN at the hospital. I was soon running out of funds.
Jessica Wolf (Blue Belt) is a beautiful angel who owns her own Nia/Yoga/Pilates studio here in Denver. It is called Studio Soma (http://www.studio-soma.com). When Jessica heard about my dilemma, she came forward IMMEDIATELY to organize a Nia Fundraiser and Healing Dance Class at the recreation center where I was teaching most of my classes.
Now, you have to understand that the recreation center is approximately 40-45 minutes away from Jessica, in a suburb of Denver. But she insisted and took care of everything! Two other Nia instructors were part of the support - Carrie Waltzman and Jena Sawyer.
More than 40 people attended with over $600.00 collected. It just happened to be my 52nd birthday that day, so there was cake, balloons, and presents. My mother and three sisters surprised me and danced Nia! It was the BEST! It was so much of what I needed. I felt so loved and supported. Jessica began the class by saying, "This is what we are about in our Nia community - to be there when one of us is in trouble."
The women in these classes are so generous and loving. I am truly grateful for Nia and the people that it draws together. An example of this was the fundraiser and the healing that took place that day and beyond. It was my first day back dancing after the surgery, but when I looked into Jessica's eyes, I knew I was in a healing space and trusted my body to move and heal.
Jessica is a true Angel in my heart! She was the first Nia instructor I met when I moved here to Denver two years ago. When I walked into her studio, I knew I had walked into another realm of Nia. I was destined to learn more and grow more with my own practice of Nia.
I became a Blue Belt last September when Debbie and Carlos came to Boulder. I was amazed that when I returned to my classes after surgery I had not forgotten what I had learned at my Blue Belt, but was able to take up where I left off.
I love to dance! Moving is truly The Body's Way to heal! I am a living example! My body is healing more and more each day. I am back to teaching my ten classes of Nia. I return this week to a full schedule at the hospital, also.
I continue to be grateful for Nia and all that I learn and practice.
Thank You Jessica and all who embody Nia principles to live life.
Peggy McLain
Blue Belt - Littleton, CO
Here's the scenario – You're asked to lead a Nia workshop at the International Science of Consciousness Conference. You have five 45 minute classes to share the magic of Nia with a group of open-minded people. How would you go about it? There is so much to share that it can be difficult to know where to start.
As in all things Nia, the best place to start is with the body. In my workshop, I opened the series with the Joy of Movement and Natural Time.
Our class on the first day was primarily FreeDance, giving people a chance to connect to their bodies through the 13 joints and by sensing space. I used the developmental stages as a thread to take them through a variety of movements.
On day two we focused on the Base, simple steps and stances, and the introduction of form. The need to rhythmically coordinate the feet into simple patterns sharpened their attention. Clarity and simplicity were tools I used to communicate the power of the base.
The third class focused on the core, the feeling centers, the chakra system. Again, simplicity and clarity allowed the group to sense this part of them in a deep way.
On day four we integrated expressive arms and hands. By this time our group had bonded, so the invitation to touch and reach out was easily accepted.
On the last day we went back to the Joy of Movement and the integration of the three body zones. It was astonishing to witness the development of organic skill in just five days. I was reminded that many, many people are longing to move in their Body's Way. All they need is an invitation.
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 editor@nianow.com
Please close this window to continue reading the rest of the newsletter