Licensed Teacher Content | December 2006
Nia Community
Yesterday I taught a class at a local health club. It was my first official class. As I was preparing a lady approached me and said. “Hi my name is Anna. I am 82 years old, and two weeks ago I had two knee replacements and both of my rotator cuffs are torn. I used to dance and was wondering whether I can take this Nia class.” I was delighted and noticed within her a strong desire to move, express and feel a dear friend of hers. I explained a bit about what Nia is, and guided her to listen to her healing body and to choose Level 1. Most of the students are hard-core, working out daily. She fit in beautifully.
We danced to Sky Dancing and the focus was The Joy of Movement. At the end of class she waited gracefully and then when we were alone in the room, our body’s relaxed, open and free, She placed her hands on her heart, said a deep thank you, and began to cry – it was joy crying.
“You cannot imagine what you have given me today. Thank you. I can move. I can dance again! I used to be a Ballet teacher.”
She was crying and I felt we both needed a hug. She has found her peace.
Thank you, Debbie and Carlos. Thank you, Nia. This was one of the most touching moments I have experienced within my Nia path. Being able to touch her in such a profound way was a one-of-a kind moment.
Love,
Yonit Lerner Ofan
Black Belt
Milwaukee, WI, USA & Israel
WOW! To all who are making NiaNow the leading website for mind-body-spirit information and education, and to the Nia Newsletter team: Thank you for this wonderful, insightful and professional publication! You have again inspired me: Mind, Body, Emotions and Spirit!
What joy to integrate this fantastic information into my classes and my life. It is Spring in the Southern hemisphere, my favorite time of year. Our streets dance with purple jacaranda trees in bloom, welcoming tropical breezes and endlessly sunny skies. My feet celebrate Spring as their chance to breathe again, bare day and night, and in Nia of course! Beyond feet, Nia is a great way to wake up my mind, body and spirit for Spring.
With Warm Appreciation,
Sophie Marsh
Blue Belt
Brisbane, Australia
As a graduate of Winalee’s February 1997 White Belt Intensive, a graduate of Debbie and Carlos’s June 2002 Blue Belt Intensive, and currently re-taking the complete White Belt Intensive with Winalee. Am I the Alumni coming back for homecoming?
Yes. In my everyday life of routine and structure I have returned to something important and forgotten. Graduate that I am, I am now participating in the wondrous world of White Belt training.
One thing I notice in the re-take is how open and receptive I am. This is a gift of the balance I feel in my life between confidence and self-doubt, and between being with others and restoring myself by going within. The re-take allows me to be open and receptive in a way I was not able to be when I first took the White Belt. You see, I am not as afraid and pinched and closed as I was. I give thanks to the tool of RAW.
Then, there is the science/craft/art. Has this changed since the last time I took White Belt? Lots. I no longer feel like I am gathering and plugging holes as new ways of training come into being. I feel I can put my foot on a piece of paper and when I trace around my foot, a mythic bird emerges as a symbol: it is my sense of wonder and creativity blossoming over this week long White Belt within the science/craft/art.
Why do I not take a different Belt, or White Belt FAB? Yes, I have, I am, and I will, with even more enthusiasm and confidence now that I have reunited with the White Belt Intensive in a way that makes me soar. I have long been committed to traveling my own path, teaching in my own time, and receiving training as spirit moves inside. I wish all of you the best in our world, and touches from beyond.
Diane Batten
Blue and White all over!
Williamston, MI, USA
I have three Nia-groups. One is in my hometown and two in my neighborhood. All those three groups are in workers-institute, so I have a lot of students, about 100 wonderful Nia-women! And they love my Nia-wear clothes:)
Anne Suomi
White Belt
Raisio, Finland
You have inspired me to organize a gathering of Nia teachers in British Columbia–There are about 30 of us, and I think now’s a great time to plan a Spring into Nia Jam.
Thank you for your Unity,
Natasha Lyndon
White Belt
Kamloops, BC, Canada
A Nia community in Israel was born this Monday. There are Israeli belts around the world but in Israel we are nine Nia teachers, for now. We organized a Nia Jam–which quenched a dry throat thirst for Nia community in Israel for all of us. It was a dream come true and we all felt it–being with like-minded and like spirited people.
We danced. Then we shared our dreams and hopes and experiences with Nia over a potluck meal. It was thrilling to get to know each other…our time was short though…most of us mothers and we had driven far to get together. We concluded to organize ourselves and get a Joint ‘Nia Israel’ website–an umbrella website to project a joint solidarity amongst us. (…I can’t seem to avoid the bolshevik kibbutznik mentality aahhaeee). We are diverse but we are all part of a single Nia Israel.
It is a wonderful gift to know a community is born. The opportunities for growth it offers are unlimited. To share the wealth of knowledge and skills is here, and the beauty and wonder of the women of Nia in Israel is truly a blessing. We hope to invite trainers to give White Belt intensives in Israel soon and train new teachers. And we’ll be getting together for another kicking delicious Jam in two months…and it is a light cast into the future. Thank you for sharing our Joy!
Love,
Adi Goren
White Belt
Ramot Hashavim, Israel
Since I started teaching in North London, a year and a half ago, we have grown a student base of fifty regulars, (some of whom cross London just to soak up the energy of our community), and I have discovered over and over the joy of teaching with and learning from other Nia teachers. We have been fortunate to have so many visitors dropping in and adding their magic to our classes.
Jessica Jackson, Barb Starling, Linda Heimstra from America; Daniela Muller from Bremen, just last weekend; Sara Vaugn a Swedish teacher who is studying in London; Maria from Oxford; Marybeth Grinnan who came and taught with me when Sam Murphy from the Guardian asked to come to my class. Heather Parsons will be coming to give a Pilates/ Nia workshop for my students and many more wonderful Nia teachers who have come and taught with me.
Of course there are also the main Nia teachers who have been teaching with me on a regular basis; Helena Dodds, a wonderful South African teacher, and I are starting up a new class at a gym where my Saturday is bursting at the seams so we need another slot. Claudia Goodman, a new talented White Belt, Michal McEwen, Naya Hadzipani, so many who support the growth of this vibrant North London Nia community and who generously share their passion. I have found them supportive and have learnt so much as each teacher has their own gifts that they bring with them.
Fiona Winter has come and given two enriching workshops, Ann Christiansen facilitated the White Belt here in May, Helen Terry has just came and gave an inspiring workshop too, and all in the name of developing the Nia seeds in London. Teaching with others is a wonderful inspiration for me, for our students, for our North London community; and I would like to extend an invitation to anyone else who is out there to come and teach with us.
If you’re in London, join in!
Dorit Noble
Blue Belt
London, England
Hi all! I haven’t had a chance to let you all know that Nia presented at the Spa Asia Summit in Hua Hin, Thailand was a real success!
In front of 300+ international spa-hotel managers and owners, I played the second song of Global Unity, and adapted it to 13-Joints and lots of YES and NO!! It was the most talked about 10 minutes at the Summit, and the Global Unity DVD’s all sold out fast! I didn’t speak much (except to guide through movements), had them moving right away! It was perfect! This really helped to put Nia on the map in Asia and hopefully, next year, in Phillipines, more Nia will be presented!
Much Love ‘n HUGE hugs to you all!
Rhonda Anne Clark
Brown Belt
Thailand
These last two months have been a real rich experience for us. So much has happened!
We, Francois (White Belt) and I, had been working for years on introducing Le Nia to France, especially in Paris. We have done a lot of research, translated the 52 Moves to French, did a business plan, and are ready to move ahead. We took Nia by her hand carefully, and never dropped it. Thus the big journey starts!
The first week we went to Germany see our son David, who works for Airbus Industry at Hamburg, coincidence at the same time Debbie and Carlos was there doing the Blue Belt and FAB. We were not be able to go to FAB, but had the opportunity to talk to them and at the same time meet some French teachers, (Fanny and Phillippe), who are interested in going to Paris to help us. We were so glad to meet them for the first time. We spoke naturally our language, and I remembered Debbie and Carlos’ expressions! Mixed of emotions, but the one that I will never forget is “Joy”, “ La Joie” to see and to hear us talking in French sharing our Nia energy without understanding a word! We were so expressive, so they knew that we were happy to see each other and excited to grow Le Nia in our country.
Then we had an opportunity to take Ann, Sabine, and Philippe’s classes. Those moments are remembered forever. Nia in German!! We realized that you do not have to speak the same language to express yourself. What you have to do is be in your body and follow you natural feeling. If I can do it…I am sure “les francais” will be able to do the same on following their natural feeling, and they will love Le Nia!!!
The following week we went to France for 1 1/2month. A little hotel was reserved in a center of Paris. That was really the beginning of our journey. Here we are with 6 bags in a little room (very little, about 150 sq/f).
Each following week turned in positive energy, and as I was walking down the street, visiting museums, my family, taking le metro, the bus to go to the studio, seeing different faces with different emotions, eating at the restaurants, doing shopping, all that you can do in a big city, especially in Paris “the city of light and arts”, “Joy” “La Joie” was always present.
The most amazing Nia experience for all of us was NIA DEMO on Le Pont des Arts in a beautiful Sunday afternoon organized at the last minute by Francois. Over a mixed of Agolo and Sky dancing’ music, Regine (White Belt at Antibes), and I lead the Demo and Fanny (Blue Belt, Francaise living in Hamburg), and Jeff Stewart (you know this guy, by the way he loved Paris), and some students danced. It was amazing to see those people walking, enjoying the demo and following their way, as easy as that. Big time! This bridge is all about art, and you will find a blend of different artists. Joy and love are there. Simplicity, peaceful, beauty those pearls came to me when we did the demo. Nia found her place, and Carlos will love Le Pont des Arts!
Doing the best with the Nia practice, slowly, Nia classes went well. Began with a few, then we ended with a group of 15 French students, really new to Le Nia and 4 of them would like to take the White Belt en Francais.
We now regularly receive emails from Nia French’ students, sharing feedbacks and info. Seeds are planted now, let time work and slowly watch progress. Fanny and Regine are going to take turns and do 2 classes/week, they will start beginning of November (Bonne chance a vous, nous sommes de tout Coeur avec vous).
A big “Merci!” to Fanny, France-Laude, Jeff, Philippe, Régine, and Sabine for their positive energy; Deborah, Diana, and David & Sha Sha Charleston’ students who made the trip to France to support us. Big Time! Thanks Ann for your nice touch, loved your classes… Thanks for listening!
From my Heart.
Eveline Rivalin
Black Belt
Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, USA and Paris, France
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