Nia Fitness and the Joy of Movement
April 23rd, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Free Nia Class
Creekside Community Centre
Wed, Apr 25, 12 – 1
Spring Nia classes have begun at the Scotiabank Dance Centre and the Roundhouse Community Centre, however you can still join in and get your groove on! The Creekside class is launching this week with a free opportunity for you to try it out and experience fitness in a fun, low-stress way.
Fitness, for me, has always been something best enjoyed with others. Doing it alone has never been motivating and I gave up in those situations in the past. But when I find a great teacher, class atmosphere, or potential workout friends, I find myself heading to energize my body with far less resistance. As a teacher, I also love connecting with students who are willing to commit to their health and have fun doing it. So I encourage you to bring people along or come and make new friends. Nia seems to naturally draw people who are open and willing to connect. It doesn’t mean you have to be best friends (although I’ve made a few wonderful ones along the way), just that it’s possible and can turn out to be a treat working out with a like-minded lot.
I have also taught Nia to many groups at events or organizational team building sessions. The smiles and laughter always come out and help people relax and find their joy. It may seem like it would be intimidating to do with colleagues, however having experience in organizational development has helped me facilitate in a way that creates a safe, fun, and playful environment that brings out people’s best. I love these occasions. Work can be stressful and challenging, so doing something fun with co-workers can really help you let go, break down unnecessary walls, and return to being in the moment in a human and joyful way. I have consistently found that when I taught Nia as part of an organizational program, people took the time to mention it in their feedback forms and share how valuable and energizing it was. It regularly stands out above the rest.
You can join any one of the three classes I have going on or buy a flexi-pass that allows you to attend classes at all three venues. Come on, try something new and dare to have more fun while getting a physical workout that invites play, laughter, and expression along with the usual benefits of a well-rounded fitness practice. It’s here for you.
My Nia Love Story
September 17th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
It all began at the turn of the millenium (2000)…
Something in me began calling for fitness, expression, strength, and joy. This was new. Prior to this, I had made a couple of attempts at jogging and joined a couple of dance classes( for no more than four classes) until I dropped out feeling I just couldn’t do it. I think I tried aerobics once and I certainly didn’t feel excited to go back to that. Exercise just didn’t interest me. I wanted to play and do something that felt natural, not like painful work. The only thing that managed to stick for any length of time (3 years) was yoga. I met an amazing teacher while I was working in London and her teaching was so incredible that my body still benefits from those initial lessons in posture and alignment.
But then, in 1999 and back in Vancouver, I began my own business and found I needed something more vigorous. I also wanted more fun and playfulness, a class where I could learn and enjoy (some of my yoga classes felt way too serious, people didn’t even smile!). I began searching around and found a class called Nia. It seemed to combine everything I wanted to experience in one form. I was intrigued and hopeful. This thing called Nia seemed to be holistic, a quality that I always knew to be critical in creating true health.
Much of my need for a fitness class arose because I was now working alone at home. It was lonely at the beginning and I felt depressed at times without the structure of a job and colleagues. I knew the costs of stress and depression and wasn’t willing to go down that road. I felt a fitness class would provide some weekly structure, offer connections with fellow students, and motivation. Little did I know I was about to change my life.
I pushed myself to get to the first class (had a really late night out and my bed was so comfortable). I had promised myself I’d do it, so I kept my commitment. I arrived a couple of minutes late but joined right in. After no more than a few minutes, I heard my own voice in my head tell me, “if you want to teach something physical, this is it“. I honestly looked up wondering where this voice came from, for it certainly couldn’t have been mine! I didn’t like exercise and now I was supposed to teach something that provided it!?! Yeah right. Not wanting to have a talk with myself in the middle of class, I returned my attention to the music, movement, and the teacher. I was amazed at how some stuff felt so absolutely natural – like I had just slipped into my skin for the first time. It was delicious. Other steps were a little more challenging and so I later asked my teacher to show them to me in slow motion. The overall feeling I had when I walked out of that that class was one of power. I felt ten feet tall. I felt capable of handling whatever came my way. I felt that I could burst through any blocks and go for what I wanted. Nia showed me my strength.
I actually felt empowered enough to go home and make a phone call that would’ve been difficult before I did Nia. Conflict is not my favourite thing, but that day, I decided I needed to express how I felt about a situation with a friend and go for what I wanted. And it worked! I was calm, said my bits, and was heard. Wow. This was powerful stuff.
I completed my initial certification in October 2000 with the Nia founders. Years later, I have my Nia Black Belt and continue teaching and loving it. Just today, I had a bunch of new students come and express their joy. Two of my favourite comments were, “I didn’t know my body was missing something until I did Nia. It needed to move! I love it!” and a gushing student who could barely find the words until she just had to say…”I’m in love.” Yes. Welcome to Nia.
Registration is open for all classes. Check the Nia classes page and sign up at the respective venue in and around downtown Vancouver. Whether you’re simply looking for a fun fitness class or wanting transformation, come give it a go!
What is Somatic Movement?
September 14th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Today began my series of free introductory Nia classes which I’m offering through to next Tuesday. I often discuss how Nia is a somatic movement practice and thought it would be a good time to clarify what that means and why it’s important, whether you’ve been attending Nia for years or are wanting to attend your first class.
Somatic movement is moving with awareness and focusing on your subjective experience. For example, many fitness forms show you what to do and ask that you copy what you see until you get it. A somatic movement teacher, on the other hand, will show you a movement and ask you to express a similar movement originating from within you. In other words, it’s not about looking like the teacher or copying with exactitude. Instead it’s observing and then sensing through your own body. This creates a far more relaxed nervous system since the individual is sourcing from his or herself, not externally. When we do that, we bring our own selves into the picture. This allow us to be clear about what we are doing, feeling, sensing rather than moving blindly as someone following. When we source externally, we leave our own experience and aim to become something other than ourselves. In such a situation, you are sure to feel something being lost in the process, most likely ‘you’!
In an educational setting, it is natural to look towards the teacher to provide guidance, expertise, and even inspiration. With somatic movement, the teacher asks you to also bring awareness back to yourself. It’s a constant dance of looking out and being within. It takes practice, and initially may require more effort until it becomes a natural response. The rewards are many though. This looking out and being within engages your heart and soul, not just your mind. In the wired world we now live in, this is a critical benefit. With your heart, mind, and soul engaged, you act with conscious integration. In other words, you feel whole rather than isolated, overwhelmed, or fragmented. You make decisions based on the complete information that is available to you, not only through your mind but also through your physical awareness and intuition. The process is whole.
Many somatic movement practices are slow (Feldenkrais, Pilates, Alexander Technique) allowing you much time to be with each movement and sensation. Those who are needing healing after an injury/trauma/illness find these invaluable for reprogramming their bodies back to health. Somatic movement is also a part of Nia even though it is a cardio practice. This is another reason Nia is unique in the fitness world. It offers cardio benefits and combines them with the healing experience of somatic movement. The most common phrase students mention at the end of a class in how energized and relaxed they feel. This is a gift of the somatic movement process.
Check out the free Nia classes happening this Sat/Sun/Tue. Classes led by Jasjit, Nia Black Belt Teacher, celebrating over 10 years of teaching Nia in Vancouver. Certified by the founders of Nia through each of her belt levels, Jasjit is known to bring depth, playfulness, spirit, wisdom and clarity to her classes.
Summer Adventures
August 18th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
In a recent post I discussed thinking differently. A part of that is taking action and doing different things and I’d like to share some of what I’ve been up to.
First was a Nia adventure. I was asked to accompany Nia Trainer-in-training, Randee Fox from the USA, at an Equestrian event in Langley. That was quite a trip out of my ordinary world. And a whole different feel doing Nia in a cowboy hats and boots! It was great – loads of people of all ages came down to participate and feel the joy of movement through Nia!
Next I got invited to take a trip to Cypress on a motorbike, a first for me! As long as I didn’t think of the fact that there were no doors or seat belts and simply admired the scenery, I was fine. Holding onto the charming driver provided some comfort too. Being a lover of fashion, I did my homework to dress for the journey. First I found cool looks from a Tokyo fashion show on youtube on biking-wear. Then I called up a good friend to borrow her motorcyle jacket. And I added my fitting cool top, jeans and boots (should’ve taken a photo). It so helped to look the part, made me feel way more comfortable and in the mood!
And finally swimming in the ocean at Whytecliff Park. Beautiful, great view, not too busy, but just too many rocks on the beach for my liking. I spotted some others enjoying the view and took this photo of them as it looked like a quintessential BC summer scene.
The latest event was an art show I organized. That I’ll save for another blogpost. Keep enjoying your summer!
Do Right Decisions Always Feel Good?
April 5th, 2011 § 7 Comments
In the past, my immediate answer would’ve been, “yes, if it’s the right decision, why wouldn’t it feel good?” It appeared black and white. Yet, I found myself suffering in making a decision last summer and for a couple of months after that. The decision I faced was whether or not to step onto the training path to become a Nia Trainer by 2012. Well, it was a huge honour to be invited and that alone made me want to say “Yes!” This is a practice I’ve been doing for over 11 years now and firmly believe in, having seen the results for myself and my students. To be recognized for my commitment, work, and leadership was a great feeling. Not all our occupations have Oscar ceremonies and red carpet galas (wouldn’t that be fun?) to acknowledge us, and the letter I received felt something like receiving a nomination – though one that marked a beginning of a new journey.
My decision was a quiet “no”. It surprised me as much as it did everyone else. Essentially, the timing was not right for me. I was more in the mood for an Oscar after-party than I was to begin memorizing lines for a new movie, as it were. That was fine. The suffering troubled me. I expected lightness, relief, ease. It was not usual for me to experience confusion after a decision was made. However, every time I asked myself, “do you want to say yes instead?”, no clear answer came back. I knew that if and when I did say yes, it would be a “YES!” and I needed to wait until then. That is the only way I would do it.
I had a skype call earlier today with Ken Gilbert, a Nia Trainer based in California. We had last spoken in the fall when I was ok with my decision, but not exactly feeling elated. He checked in with me to see how I was now. It was great to have the conversation and his insight into me was affirming. I’m just not the kind of person who can do things because it’s “time”, instead I do them when they feel right to me. There were many reasons that the time seemed right (this was what caused the confusion and upset), but it didn’t feel so. Through our conversation, I realized I no longer had an emotional charge around my decision. I was ok.
Meanwhile, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying teaching Nia these days. I now have the freedom to play with all I’ve learned up to my Black Belt, instead of having a new prescribed learning path that was feeling too structured for me at the time. I get to take Nia to new places in my life and in the lives of others. Now I know without question, that my future “YES!” wil be solid, not a “ye-ss”, or “yes..?”, or even “Yes”. Trust the timing. Nothing is ever lost, it’s just brought back more refined, powerful, and ready.
Here are photos of me and my students (Judy, Jon, and Padma hidden in the background) at the Diversity Health Fair Nia demo in February! It was fun – check out the volunteers who got so into it (Nia has that effect)!
Thoughts from Today
March 8th, 2011 § 2 Comments
Myriad snippets of thoughts and ideas are moving through my brain and so this post is going to offer two of them.
STRETCH!
Thanks for National Geographic for this gorgeous pic!
There are days I love being on the computer, reading, writing, responding to communication. On those days, I enjoy being glued to my chair. Fortunately my body alerts me to the tension created from sitting for long periods. So the other day, I got up and stretched and rolled around on my carpet. Boy, did that feel amazing! In that moment, I couldn’t believe that I’d sat for so long. As I stretched my body, my breath flowed, energy returned, aliveness was present. I know that the physical stretching creates mental alertness and ‘stretches’ my mind beyond whatever borders it’s recently created. Try it a few minutes each day and discover a heightened energy and focus. Having stiffness can be a direct cause of lack of stretching, rolling, turning, twisting, (all of which we practice in Nia by the way to keep our bodies both strong and supple). And let me know about your experience!
International Women’s Day
What is it to be a woman today? Well, there’s far more freedom of expression and being then there was in the past, at least in many parts of the world, although not all. Being able to write publicly is something that wasn’t possible in the past. There were many women who wrote secretly or under a man’s name, whether it was journalling or fiction or whatever else was important to them. Their voice was not considered necessary, mature, or welcome. So to all women who fought the fight, thank you. It is a true blessing to be able to write, to express, to be seen and heard. Did you know that the publishing industry has women to thank for keeping it so alive today? Funny given that women weren’t welcome for so long. Apparently, if women stopped reading, the industry would collapse.
Diversity Health Fair
February 7th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
For the last couple of years, I’ve been participating in the annual Diversity Health Fair organized by AMSSA and held at the Croation Cultural Centre. It’s a wonderful event designed to create awareness about health and wellness within the many ethnic communities that make up Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. It’s the largest event of its kind in Canada and was developed for newcomers/immigrants. Do you know anyone new to Canada? Invite them along as there will be staff speaking a number of languages who can address questions.
At the Health Fair, you will find many health and wellness exhibitors, dance performances, fitness demos, onsite health tests, yummy cooking lessons, childrens’ activities and much more to educate and entertain. Come be part of the audience for the Nia demo scheduled from 11:30 – 12:00 on Saturday. Or if you’d like to be part of the Nia ‘dancers’ on stage, let me know asap (it’ll be like a regular class except that there will be an audience)!
Come by and devote some time to ensure a long life full of health and happiness.
Be fit, healthy, happy and free in 2011
January 5th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Finding a fitness practice that blends your favourite movement forms, allows you to have fun while getting fit, and is a healing practice on a body mind spirit level may have been difficult in the past. Today, you will find this experience in the Nia practice. Fitness has evolved and Nia began leading the way back in 1983. Now the practice is taught worldwide with thousands of students passionate about what Nia has done for their bodies and their lives. Here’s a little taster…turn on the volume and enjoy.
Want more? Head to the Movement : Nia page for details on how to register! Classes begin this Sunday, January 9, 2011.
The Heart of December
November 24th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
The end of year is making its presence known a bit earlier than usual. Social events have been warming my heart and the spirit of giving is arriving through special events, fairs, and sale of lovely things for gift-giving time.
Usually I’m busy working right up until Christmas and so don’t have the time to realize its arrival until the last-minute. And then I think, “Wouldn’t it have been nice to do…had I planned…oh my, it’s almost a new year, am I ready?!” So being able to feel its gentleness now, before the frenzy of energy that arrives with the season, is a wonderful surprise.
A quiet time is what feels best for me at the end of December. While everyone is rushing about, I like to relax, read, contemplate, vision (past, present, future), and have a few small social visits. January is my month of excitement, a blank canvas I call it. Meanwhile, connecting to my heart and soul is the most nourishing in December. The spirit of the season and time calls to me.
Last night in Nia class, I taught a routine that has a focus of aligning our energies. The result by the end of class is exactly what one of the students said, “it is centring, going inward”. I will bring a couple of routines of this nature to the remaining classes for this year. While some people love the energy December brings and others find it an emotionally difficult time, there is one thing that is relatively constant and that is the need to be centred. My desire this December is to have events gracefully unfold in a soft lyrical rhythm and fashion, while new buds form to feel the anticipation of a new year.
If you’re someone who loves December, enjoy the small moments as well as the big ones. If you find it difficult, secure away some quiet time and spots for nurturing yourself, let it be about you. Hot chocolate, a nice fire, cozy hats/scarves/socks/sweaters, fruit tarts, joy, and candle light…so much beauty and warmth to be had. And here it comes…
