This Nia Experience “Rising” is adapted from the classic Nia routine "Mantra", originally designed by Carlos Aya Rosas and one of the first routines Helen learned.
Focus: Movement as mantra and a metaphor for self, community, life.
Beginning with sensing the belly (our core) notice how this “moma cell” can
contract/extend,
bend/lean,
figure 8.
The Belly is a substance with
strength (resilience),
elasticity (ability to bounce back),
fluidity (go with the flow).
After embodying the focus in the Belly we expand awareness to the belly of the 700 muscles in our body, then to each piece of connective tissue, the 70+ trillion cells. All the same mantra of movement.
We sense inward (Body, Belly, Muscles, Connective Tissue, Cell)
We also sense outwards (Body, Self, Others, Class, Community, Global)
Intent: From inward + outward awareness we develop a sense of inter-connection "we are one". The Mantra, the movement, our lives and community continues. This is a time for celebration. An invitation to be inspired to rise up above anything that draws us down.
We are strong,
We bounce back
We go with the flow
Inspiration behind the creation:
As a Christian, at Easter time, I would feel the strong desire to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. I'd also want to honor the uniqueness of everyone in class and be accepting of all religions, beliefs and faiths. Therefore coming into class with "let's all celebrate Jesus!" simply was not going to work. I felt the creative tension between my personal faith and professional responsibility and found myself jumping up and down when a fabulous solution came to me! A playlist compiled of songs to do with Rising with a focus around the concept "Rising".
I’m inspired by the words of David Foster Wallace, This Is Water
There are these two young fish swimming along and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says, “Morning, boys. How’s the water?”
And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes, “What the hell is water?”….
….the immediate point of the fish story is merely that the most obvious, ubiquitous, important realities are often the ones that are hardest to see and talk about.
You're invited to slow down, take time, this weekend, to be aware of the important realities around you.
