We had a Fabulous Body Ecology Retreat...

We just completed a fabulous Body Ecology Retreat at Soma Ranch. Lovely to watch Joe, my husband, in his element, sharing expertise, experience and art with food preparation. We enjoyed a wonderful balance between education, inspiration and entertainment. Thank you all attendees, you were a delight to be with, as we say in Texas “Y’all come back & see us”.

This was an opportunity to relax and enjoy the ranch, submerged in healthy living on a 6 day retreat. Enjoying daily Body Ecology Meals, cooking demonstrations, workshops and more, supplemented with Nia classes, Sauna, Hot Tub.

We welcome any comments/feedback from participants. Please feel free to post your comments.

Happy Birthday Carol + St Pat's class ~ playlist

I am so excited about delivering the Promise of Nia with this play list… I wonder if I will sleep!

Speak to Me/Breathe3:58Pink FloydDark Side of the Moon
Great Gig In the Sky4:47 Pink FloydDark Side of the Moon
Whiter Shade Of Pale 5:17Annie LennoxMedusa
I Wanna Dance WSBdy4:25Whitney HGreatest Hits Mix
When You’re Falling 5:14 Afro Celt Vol 3Further In Time
Colossus 6:44 Afro Celt Vol 3Further In Time
Shadowman 6:36 Afro Celt Vol 3Further In Time
Gimme!Gimme!Gimme! 4:50 ABBA Pure Disco, Vol. 2
Prelude End Of Game 0:21 Sting Brand New Day
Fill Her Up 5:39 Sting Brand New Day
Train In Vain 4:44 Annie Lennox Medusa
American Honey 3:45 Lady Antebellum Need You Now
Ave Maria 5:05 East VOC La Donna
I Will Always Love4:24 Whitney HGreatest Hits

Nia Belts want to play?
Choreography for each track came from:

  1. Opal
  2. Opal
  3. Sanjana
  4. Birth
  5. Sky Dancing
  6. Sky Dancing
  7. Sky Dancing
  8. Humanity
  9. Helen Original
  10. Helen Original
  11. Sanjana
  12. Agolo
  13. Sanjana
  14. Birth

Play with finding clicks.
Then contact me if you’d like to know which track I used for each :-)

Where in the World is Helen W.I.T.W.I.H....

I received a voicemail from one of my dearest friends today. She shared
“I don’t know where in the world you are, I’ll check your web site to find out!”

I am prompted to create a “WITWIH” (Where In The World Is Helen) Corner.
I hope to update this each week :-)
Hi Mum! hope this helps you too :-)

W.I.T.W.I.H. (where in the world is Helen?)

NiaMoves 9:15am Fri 3/16 (Arias with FAMSS)
NiaMoves 8:00am Sat 3/17 (Afro Celt),
SomaRanch 11am Sun 3/18
SomaRanch 11am Mon 3/19
SomaRanch 11am Tue 3/20
SomaRanch 11am Wed 3/21
SomaRanch 11am Thu 3/22

Fri 3/23 Helen leaves for Paris
Sat 3/24 Helen teaches in Paris
Sun 3/25 Helen teaches in Paris
email Sophie Tataru for public class/event schedule
also check out this BLOG for fun update about the “line up”

3/29 - 4/4 Helen leads white belt with daily classes in UK (Tattenhall)
email Jill Raine for public class/event schedule

NiaMoves 9:15am Fri 4/6
NiaMoves 8:00am Sat 4/7
NiaMoves 9:15am Mon 4/8

Helen in Paris ~ intro from rocking chair at Soma Ranch

Bon Jour!

I’m excited to be heading to Paris for the first time (March 24 - 25) to offer 5 Nia sessions:

  1. Nia FAMSS with Arias,

  2. Dark Side of the Moon Nia Experience,

  3. Sexi Adapted routine with Queen Latifah,

  4. 52 Moves workshop,

  5. Afro Celt Nia Experience “celebrate core and extremities”.

Check out this fun little clip from the rocking chair at Soma Ranch

Entertain joining us!

click HERE if you’d like to check out the flier and receive more information

You can also email the fabulous host/producer team:

  • Laurence Duperis lduperis@gmail.com

  • Sophie Tataru sofitatnia@yahoo.com

Tribute to Whitney Houston - Music Play List

After listening/researching many Whitney Houston Albums I found all the tracks for this play list from Whitney - The Greatest Hits
Other than “who do you love” from my very first Nia routine “Commitments”

The Nia choreography from the recent Nia routine “Birth” lends itself very well to this music. Great upbeat, disco, invigorating tunes.

Let me know if you play with this play list - I’d love to hear how it goes :-)

This is also a super play list for general listening,
I’ve been LOVING driving, singing along to these tunes.
Whitney was a remarkable singer, I adore how her music lives on.

  1. Greatest Love of All 4:49

  2. So Emotional (Dave Morales Mix) 3:57

  3. Who Do You Love 3:55

  4. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Junior’s Happy Handbag Mix) 4:25

  5. How Will I Know (Junior Vasquez Club Mix) 4:10

  6. I Will Always Love You (Hex Hector Radio Mix - Remastered) 4:51

  7. Queen of the Night (CJ’s Single Edit) 3:46

  8. I’m Every Woman (C + C Club Mix) [Radio Edit] 4:31

  9. Could I Have This Kiss Forever (Metro Mix - Remastered) 3:56

  10. Run to You 4:24

  11. I Have Nothing (Remastered)4:48

  12. I Will Always Love You 4:24

Synchronize Dark Side of the Moon with Wizard of Oz

The most requested Nia event Helen offers. A fabulous Nia experience, set to the music of Pink Floyd, accompanied by images from the Wizard of Oz.

Focus: Music, Movement, Magic
Intent: increase our level of magic and pleasure in Nia

Information about the interesting synchronicity between DSOTM and Oz!

1
Begin playing your version of the Wizard of Oz and be ready to start the album. Begin play on Dark Side of the Moon as soon as the lion on the MGM opening begins its roar for the third time.

2
Notice Roger Waters singing “balanced on the biggest wave” as Dorothy is balancing on the farm’s fence at her Kansas home.

3
Listen to the chimes and bells begin on the album when the Wicked Witch appears for the first time.

4
Notice “The Great Gig in the Sky” song begin to escalate as the tornado hits Dorothy’s house. Likewise, the music calms down as the scene does, when the house lands.

5
Watch as side one of the original vinyl album ends as soon as the movie changes to color when the Good Witch of the North appears.

6
Notice the song “Brain Damage” plays as the Scarecrow sings “If I Only Had a Brain,” and the album ends with a heartbeat as Dorothy is feeling for the Tin Man’s heart.

Read more: How to Watch Wizard of Oz with Pink Floyd | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_6685956_watch-wizard-oz-pink-floyd.html#ixzz1St5802NO

Click HERE for more information about this amazing example of synchronicity.

Autumn Teneyl Trunk Show this Sunday & Monday

Please join us for an Autumn Teneyl trunk show at Soma Ranch

Sunday, 3/4: 10:30am -1:30pm
Monday, 3/5: 10:30am -1:30pm

FREE BODY ECOLOGY LUNCH
when you RSVP at least 24 hours in advance!

We invite you to enjoy a trunk show at Soma Ranch to celebrate the beautiful one of kind styles designed & manufactured in Colorado by Autumn Teneyl.

The Winter 2012 Collection is here! Exciting new separates will keep you stylish and comfortable throughout your day. Sexy new dresses and redesigned favorites are better than ever! Plus, our ever changing Nia line in new fabrics.

Autumn Teneyl Designs
970-264-1044

We hope to see you there & be sure to click on the “tell a friend” link at the bottom of this email to let your friends in on the fun. If you would like to view the clothes at a different time (only Sunday or Monday) please email info@somaranch.com to arrange a special appointment.

Please help spread the word about this fabulous event.
This is Autumn Teneyl’s first visit to Montgomery
Let’s give them a big Montgomery, Texas welcome!!

Click TELL A FRIEND for an ultra easy way to invite your friends.

Or share our link on facebook with your friends by clicking HERE.

The World's first Nia 52 Moves training at Soma Ranch...

We just completed the worlds first 52 moves teacher training course here at Soma Ranch. It was an incredible experience, with Debbie Rosas on fine form delivering in her brilliance. Thank you fellow trainers Martha Randall, Kevin Vereecke, Jeanne Catherine and Julie Wylie. Well done attending belts, your attention and dedication is stupendous. The improvements and learning that has occurred in just 3 days is phenomenal. The bar has been raised, the future and quality of the delivery of Nia looks bright…

Please feel free to leave any comments you’d like to share about your experience here. Joe and I thank you for coming, it was lovely to see you and have the opportunity to share the magic of Soma Ranch with you.

Nia Blue Belt Begins at Soma Ranch this Friday Feb 3

Nia Blue Belt: Feb 3 - Feb 9, 2012 with Helen Terry

3rd level Nia belt training focus: Communication, Relationship & Intimacy.
Nia White and Green Belts are invited to attend this course.
Nia Blue Belts and above are encouraged to return to review sessions.
Members of the public are welcome to attend public Nia classes at 11am and/or enjoy Lunch at Noon.

  • Nia White Belt: Jan 7 - Jan 13

  • Nia Public Classes 11am - Noon, Feb 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ($15 or 4 for $40)

  • Body Ecology Lunch Noon - 1:15pm, Feb 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ($15 or 4 for $40)

  • Foot Detox Tuesday, Feb 7, 6:30 - 8pm

Click here to view Complete Blue Belt Schedule

Hurry up and relax! Folks enjoy overnight retreat...

You are invited to enjoy an overnight retreat while the Nia training is happening at SomaRanch.

Your experience includes:

  • Room and Board, (with luxury linens and towels provided)

  • 3 Body Ecology Meals (vegetarian, gluten free and yummy!),

  • a Nia Class, (taught by Helen Terry)

  • Unlimited use of infrared Sauna, (wonderful for detoxing)

  • Unlimited use of mineral therapeutic hot tub, (relax and release tension)

  • Beautiful nature (15+ acres, donkeys, horses, fish, pond)

All for $85 (dorm), $95 (semi private), or $105 (private).

Spaces limited. Call 832-567-4550 to book your retreat - hurry up and relax!

Nia White Belt Begins at Soma Ranch this Saturday Jan 7

Join us for the Nia white belt Jan 7 - 13
Perhaps attend one of the public Nia classes at 11am ($15) and/or
Enjoy Lunch at Noon ($15).
Class and lunch available Sun 1/8, Mon 1/9, Tue 1/10, Wed 1/11, Thu 1/12.
Experience super intro to ATM (Awareness to Movement) Thursday 7 - 8pm,
with Gika, the gorgeous, Feldenkrais practioner ($20).

  • Nia White Belt: Jan 7 - Jan 13

  • Nia Public Classes 11am - Noon

  • Body Ecology Lunch Jan 8 9 10 11 12 Noon - 1:20pm

  • Foot Detox Tuesday Jan 10 6:30 - 8pm

  • Feldenkrais Introduction Thursday Jan 12, 7 - 8pm

Click here to view Complete White Belt Schedule

Rescued Donkeys at Somaranch

We have 5 rescued miniature donkeys at SomaRanch;

Little Mo, Nibbler, Sarah, Sugar and Nia.

Nia is pregnant and her baby is expected any day now… Donkeys are very group orientated, they stick together, have fun little rituals/patterns during the day, very entertaining to watch. Enjoy a little peak into a “life as usual” feeding of the donkeys. We hope you come visit soon and meet the donkeys in person ~ they are VERY friendly and love visitors.

History: we acquired a couple of the donkeys at a local livestock auction, pretty soon after 3 more “appeared” We now have a happy family of 5 donkeys with all 3 girls expecting.

Donkeys are “the protector”: In reality, when it comes to livestock, Donkeys are low on the totem pole, they don’t produce anything, and therefore rate lower than chickens and goats! With a donkey amongst the herd, when a the predator enters the pastures, they are more likely to go for donkey (being the smaller, slower and easiest to catch). I remember my expression upon hearing this and realizing that by “the protector”… the donkey is actually protecting the livestock by being BAIT! “On NO!”

Perhaps we’re the laughing stock!:

In Montgomery, Texas, we have experience 2 harsh winters and a record breaking summer drought, the result being limited grass in the pastures + expensive scarce hay. The reality is farmers are challenged to feed their animals and if someone has to go hungry the donkeys will likely be first choice. Having 5 donkeys and no livestock to protect, we likely are the laughing stock of the locals!

We enjoy our pasture ornaments, receive great pleasure from watching their daily rituals/escapades and love witnessing what a difference it makes for Soma Ranch guests.

When leaving a retreat/training one of the most common last things folks do is run to say good bye to the donkeys. Guests have even been known to cry as they bid their farewells to these precious creatures.

Happy Kidney Cleanse

3 days + 3 gallons of pressed apple juice = kidney cleanse

Years ago, in chronic pain symptoms of passing a kidney stone, Dr. Lisa Acocella encouraged me to begin a kidney cleanse instead of opting for the emergency room. It worked! In the process I discovered how cleansing helps me reset my button and enhance my power to make choices that serve me and my body well.

This time of year (holidays, stress and extra opportunities for over eating…) I easily tumble into eating habits that create havoc on my well being. As a recovering sugar-holic I find this kidney cleanse helps me find the power to make choices that help me and my body be happy.

Within 3 days I receive clarity of mind, emotional balance and a strong desire to only eat healthy food - and I feel GREAT.

The recipe is very simple:
3 days + 3 gallons of pressed apple juice = kidney cleanse.

  • Buy the cloudy like pressed apple juice from HEB or Whole Foods.

  • Drink 8oz of juice on the hour every hour for 3 days.

  • Don’t eat any food.

  • When possible don’t drink water.

  • Minimize activities: optimize cleanse for body mind emotion and spirit.

  • Maximize the cleanse: rest, journal(I LOVE clearing out my closets etc.)

  • Book a colonic for day 4 (the day after the cleanse).

The sugar in the apple juice gives me the energy to function.
The fluid of the apple juice helps me stay hydrated.
The acid in the apple juice makes the kidneys work and actually push out any kidney stones if they are there***

At the end of this 3 day cleanse the body is primed and ready for a gallbladder cleanse - that’s definitely the next level - let me know when you are ready and curious for this LOL

The first few hours challenge my will power.
After that I slip into a wonderful place of suspension where I no longer feel desperate for food!

Every time is different, and each person is unique and therefore responds differently on the cleanse.

Set yourself up for success.
Don’t do this alone.
Seek support.

Let me know if you’d like to journey on a cleanse with me.
A couple of times I’ve “buddied” up with someone
i.e. we go through the 3 days together and support each other
If you’d like to dive in please post a comment here or email direct.

*** may be over sharing here… out of curiosity the first time I did this cleanse I urinated through a sieve. I witnesses tiny glass like looking sand that apparently was my kidney stone (s) having been broken down and able to be passed without pain.

Update on 2011-12-06 20:05 by Helen Terry

“…_poverty has a very human face-one that is different from “simplicity”.
Poverty is involuntary and debilitating, whereas simplicity is voluntary and enabling_.”
~Duane Elgin
Day 2 of kidney cleanse: this is the first time I’ve done a cleanse in cold weather. It makes a difference. I have had to slow down and do less. In fact I finally surrendered as I felt my body and soul push me to go to bed! First I sent a “note to self” …in future be sure to only do this cleanse during warm climate. Then, after the third nap of the day I slipped into to an Ah Ha moment of “oh! - this is the better way to cleanse!” just crazy that my body had to force me (like an aikido throw to the floor) to rest. Thank you body. Now I rest and drift and dream and I can feel clarity seeping in from the simplicity of this practice. This feels better than a vacation. New concept: how to reap the benefits of a vacation, and much more, without leaving your home!

OK - enough - I’ve got a lot of resting to do :-)
Let me know if you’d like help with making this happen in your life.
I highly recommend it and will gladly help you through it.

From the positive response received I’ll likely guide a group through this process in January.

Congrats to Georgia Lister and Amy Stanley who chose to tag along on this 3 day cleanse.
We’re past half way. How are you doing?

Update on 2012-03-07 04:31 by Helen Terry

At the end of the Kidney Cleanse we are primed and ready for the Gallbladder cleanse. There are several variations, I’ll share what’s worked for me (with some alternatives). On the 3rd night stop drinking the apple juice at 6pm. Have fresh grapefruits (or lemons) and Olive oil (or peanut oil). Squeeze 4oz of juice and measure 2oz of oil. Have them in the fridge (I used kombucha bottles). When ready for sleep, do everything you need to do (including brush your teeth! ;-). Mix juice and oil together, shake them up, standing up, slug down the mixture (use a straw if needed). I like to leave a little of the juice separate to wash down last. As soon as you drink the mixture lay down on your right hand side and pray for sleep!! First time I did this I felt very nauseous and freaked out for about 10 minutes, then fell asleep. The following morning expect to need to go to the bathroom and be optimistic of seeing things/colors leave your body that have never been seen before! I recommend you book a colonic in advance for this 4th day of the cleanse. If you live in Houston contact me for a recommendation - she is an “angel”.

Big thanks to Lisa Acocella who lead me through my first Kidney/GallBladder cleanse many years ago.

Home From Blue Belt in Pittsboro, NC

Lovely to be home for more than 2 weeks. I’m just back from a fabulous Blue Belt training in Pittsboro, NC. Congratulations and deep gratitude to Nia Blue Belt, Darlene Downing for a fabulous job producing this event, with thanks and well done to Nia Black Belt, Lynda Heymen for manifesting an amazing studio. I thoroughly enjoyed the Nia Triangle Community. They supported the training well, with 26 folks attending the pre-training Belt event “Sexi 2 for 1” and many coming to public classes. Several Blue belt graduates audited sessions. This was extra fun for me, having trained most of these graduates at Blue Belts in Portland over the past 2 years.

I love this picture, it captures the fun community’s spirit and a taste of our terrific week together. Thank you Triangle Nia - you guys rock! Visit http://thejoyofmovementcm.com/ for more information about this super studio.

Thank you Men of Nia

Thank you everyBody who attended the Men of Nia Weekend. Wow! what an amazing experience. We are each part of Nia History. Special thank you to Rolf, Bill and Kevin for your stellar presentations that exemplified how amazing men can be. Your talents and uniqueness as top men of Nia radiated our potential, exhibiting wonderful possibilities for meditation, expression and athleticism within Nia. Deep appreciation for Ken and Philippe for your wonderful contributions. Well done Jason, Marty, Javier, Gregory and Glen for joining the line up with these 5 black belts. Y’all offered a phenomenal male lead jam. You each personified intimate connection to the music, superb choreography, with a fabulous example of uniqueness combined with the strength of the human spirit. You were each wonderfully inspirational. Thank you everyBody who attended, I hope you cherish the memories and acknowledge how you were a magical integral part of something very special. See you next year ;-)