Emotions in Motion Photo Shoot

Bruce is offering a very special Photo Shoot at Soma Ranch March 16 & 17.

Indicate which time slot you’d like on a Blog Comment.
First come first served. (i.e. check the times others have taken)

From Pixalchemy, and the Center of Levity comes a new photo opportunity, titled:

“Emotion in Motion” (Thanks Helen Terry for naming this)

This is a photo series of very special portraits inspired by the categories in the Nia emotions grid. Unencumbered by the gravity process, these images portray the full-body emotion of the dancer’s choice -in mid air!

Nia students and instructors* are eligible to ‘sign up’ for any emotions of their own choosing. Show us what you’ve got!
At a minimum, I am asking each dancer to sign up for one emotion from their ‘happy place’, and one more from some other corner of the realm.

My goal is to celebrate as many uniquely authentic emotions as possible, assembling the widest possible dynamic range of Nia portraiture.

All portraits will be taken mid air, using a mini tramp

Black Clothing preferred
No props allowed for this series.

A signed model release is necessary to participate.

An 8×10 professional print and a Facebook compatible e-file of one emotion will be provided each participant.

Where will it end up?
That remains to be seen, but it could be anything from a web site to a poster or book or traveling photo exhibition.

Saturday, March 16
10:30am Session 1 Lola
11:00am Session 2
11:30am Session 3
12:00pm Session 4
12:30pm Lunch
1:30pm Session 5
2:00pm Session 6 Monica
2:30pm Session 7 Elisabeth
3:00pm Session 8
3:30pm Break
4:00pm Session 9
4:30pm Session 10
5:00pm Session 11 Deborah
5:30pm Session 12 Wendy
6:00pm Dinner

Sunday, March 17
12:00pm Session 13 Amy
12:30pm Session 14 Jane

Nia Blue Belt Begins Saturday March 16

Welcome
Blue Belt Trainees
Amy Podolsky Sudbury, MA
Virginia Lamb Summit, NJ
Kris Theriault Seattle, WA
Wendy Rochman Boulder, CO
Jane Litchfield Ontario, Canada
Sue Korthauer Montgomery, TX

Visitors
Bruce Thayer Iowa City, IA
Deborah Darr Chicago, IL
Liz Gans Huntsville, TX
Lola Marshall The Woodlands

You’re invited to join us for class (11am), Lunch (noon), sleep over or full week retreat.
Here’s the schedule, click HERE to download.

Nia Wear for One Billion Rising Rockets

Nia has provided fabulous NiaWear at a “special event price” less than whole sale prices for our “flashmob” dance at the Rockets game Wednesday, March 13. Prices include sales tax.

Available for sale at NiaMoves 3:00 - 4:30pm on Wednesday during our “drop in any time practice”

Flare Pants $50 available print with black flare and black with print flare.

Red Tie me up top (can be worn 10+ ways! $50)

Red Twist Top $35

Also have Red Crop pants $50.

We have Black NiaMoves T shirts and Red NiaMoves Tanks.

Dreams Come True! Rockets Game Flash Mob

Our Houston Nia community is experiencing a rising of epic proportions.

Like thousands of others around the globe, our Houston studio, NiaMoves, hosted a special One Billion Rising (OBR) Nia class on Valentine’s Day. The response was phenomenal. Folks who were new to class and movers we hadn’t seen in years joined our regular participants in dancing for this incredible cause. We heightened awareness, raised $200, and had a great time. Most significant was the sense of belonging we created, connecting to a “body” of people who are each unique yet aligned to making a difference on the planet.

Shortly thereafter, I dreamed that we did a similar event for OBR at the Houston Rockets basketball game. You can only imagine my intrigue when I woke up the next morning to a phone call from my business partner, Kristie Bryant, saying she’d just received a cold call from the Rockets ticket sales department, asking if we wanted to buy bulk tickets to their upcoming game. Fast forward one week and my dream has become a reality!

On Wednesday, March 13th, hundreds of people will dance during the pre-game show at the Rockets vs. Suns game in Houston, TX. We have a variety of groups participating including high schools, women’s shelters, hairdressers, yoga teachers, belly dancers, hoopers, girl scouts, and churches. We’ve sold over 200 tickets and are aiming for 300! Join us as we dance to “Break The Chain”, the anthem for One Billion Rising featuring award winning choreographer Debbie Allen. If you’ve ever dreamed of your flash mob moment and helping the community, this is it!

If you are in the greater Houston area, please join us for our Rockets Game Flash Mob! EveryBody is invited to dance and/or cheer us on from the sidelines. No previous dance experience is needed.

Steps to purchase tickets in advance:

Go to NiaMoves website
Order discounted tickets for $20
Invite friends, post to our facebook, and come dance!

One Billion Rising is the largest international movement to raise awareness of the ongoing need to make this world safe for women and girls. An alarming statistic shows one woman in three, on the planet, will be raped or abused. i.e. One Billion Women on the planet are affected.

Katrine FareWell Nia Play List

Here’s the much requested playlist from “Katrine’s FareWell Nia Class.

Katrine has been visiting our NiaMoves community and Soma Ranch for 6 months. She returned to Canada this week.

Choreography was a mix of from Passion and Break the Chain (The song we are practicing for our “Flash Mob Dance” at the Rockets Game, March 13.

Why	4:54	Annie Lennox	Diva
A Whiter Shade Of Pale	5:17	Annie Lennox	Medusa
When You’re Falling	5:14	Afro Celt	Volume 3
Colossus	6:44	Afro Celt	Volume 3
Lifesong	5:17	Casting Crown	Lifesong
Why (DJ Sammy’s Mix)	7:11	DJ Sammy	Why
Downtown Lights	6:45	Annie Lennox	Medusa
Thin Line Between Love & Hate	4:55	Annie Lennox	Medusa
People Get Ready	5:20	NewSong	Best Of
Break The Chain	4:32	Tena Clark	OBR

Nia 5 Stages ~ Elisabeth shares...

In a world that constantly pulls us outside of ourselves, our healing and well-being depend on our ability to stay present within our bodies. The many stresses of being a human in these times can cause our bodies to regress to a less evolved state. When we first learn to move as babies, we integrate what doctors call our primitive reflexes, moving from a cuddly ball to our backs, our bellies, all fours and finally onto two feet.

Stress can bring children and adults back to earlier stages of evolution on this spectrum, causing challenges in coordination, endurance, balance and mental focus. The best known way to re-evolve ourselves is to learn and practice movement patterns that look like that first learning we had with gravity.

I will train with Helen Terry this Spring in Nia 5 stages because I want to stay present, and evolved, and guide others in the same. In my experience, this kind of work has the healing power of both physical and emotional therapy. I recommend this training not just to teachers, but to moving humans who want a better understanding of their senses and themselves.

So, for the love of gravity, please click here to learn more about Nia 5 stages.

See you there!

Elisabeth Commanday Swim
www.yogaisyours.com
Yogi, Teacher, Extraorinaire
Stella Community Member

Lyrics to Song "Break the Chain"

Break the Chain Lyrics

Lyrics by Tena Clark, Music by Tena Clark/Tim Heintz

Intro-solo vocalist
I raise my arms to the sky
On my knees I pray
I’m not afraid anymore
I will walk through that door

other
Walk, dance, rise
Walk, dance, rise

vocal
I can see a world where we all live
Safe and free from all oppression
No more rape or incest, or abuse
Women are not a possession

You’ve never owned me, don’t even know me I’m not invisible, I’m simply wonderful I feel my heart for the first time racing I feel alive, I feel so amazing

chorus
I dance cause I love
Dance cause I dream
Dance cause I’ve had enough
Dance to stop the screams
Dance to break the rules
Dance to stop the pain
Dance to turn it upside down
Its time to break the chain, oh yeah
Break the Chain
Dance, rise
Dance, rise

vocals
In the middle of this madness, we will stand I know there is a better world Take your sisters & your brothers by the hand Reach out to every woman & girl

This is my body, my body’s holy
No more excuses, no more abuses
We are mothers, we are teachers,
We are beautiful, beautiful creatures

chorus
(Repeat Chorus)

FreeDance Break other

Dance, rise
Dance, rise

Sister won’t you help me, sister won’t you rise x4

Dance, rise
Dance, rise

Sister won’t you help me, sister won’t you rise x4

—vocal-
This is my body, my body’s holy
No more excuses, no more abuses
We are mothers, we are teachers,
We are beautiful, beautiful creatures

chorus

(Repeat chorus)

Solo vocalist - “One billion rising….”

Fantastic 6am Nia Class with Laura Haley

I questioned my choices when my alarm awoke me at 5:00am this morning. Now I Am delighted I attended Laura Haley’s 6:00am Nia class at NiaMoves. I find the more I teach the less I take class, something I want to rectify. My experience with Laura this morning was a nourishing reminder of how great it is to receive, learn from others, feel part of community, meet new people, have fun, be a student, give attention to myself, sense and heal my body. I felt connected to something greater than myself and at the same time a deep connection inside.

I had a funny moment when I heard myself telling myself “wow this teacher is awesome and what a magical studio this is, great ambiance, lights, people….” I then was reminded “hey you have something to do with this, you’re the co-owner”. An embodied out of body, chuckling kinda of moment.

Thank you Laura I feel blessed and honored with you as part of our team at NiaMoves.

Shift Happens! airing on PBS in March

Soma Ranch gift shop is a collection of “our favorite things”. A top seller is “Shift Happens!”. In March there’s an opportunity to experience how to “Live an Inspired Life” With Dr. Robert Holden on PBS.

Best-selling author Dr. Robert Holden shares essential principles and practices at the heart of his work on happiness, success and loveability. Key themes include: living an authentic life, miracle of self-acceptance; following your joy; forgiveness gives you wings; and live now, procrastinate later. Airing March 2013 on PBS - Check your local listings.

About the Author
Robert Holden, Ph.D., is the Director of The Happiness Project and Success Intelligence. His innovative work has been featured on Oprah, Good Morning America, and media worldwide. Robert coaches leaders in business, education, politics and healthcare. His clients include Dove and the “Real Beauty Campaign,” and also Virgin and The Body Shop. Robert is a student of A Course in Miracles. He is author of the best selling books: Happiness NOW!, Shift Happens!, Authentic Success (formerly titled Success Intelligence) and Be Happy. Robert also hosts a weekly show on Hay House Radio called Shift Happens! Visit www.RobertHolden.org

One Billion Rising Dance at a Houston Rockets Game

Rockets vs. The Suns Basketball Game, Toyota Center,
Wednesday, March 13,
6 pm pre-show, 7pm game

Dancers, Hoopers, Yogis, Sports Fans, Families and Friends.

WE NEED YOU

Perform “Break the Chain” at pre-show.
Be a part of the One Billion Rising movement.
Have fun, raise awareness and be part of something GREAT.

How can I help?
We have to sell 175 tickets at $20 each.
Purchase tickets at www.NiaMoves.com.

You can Dance, Spectate or Sponsor a ticket.

Invite colleagues, friends, neighbors and family.

“Dancers” please arrive before 5:50pm

How can I learn the dance?
We are here to support/help you…
“Break the Chain” is easy to learn

Visit www.NiaMoves.com for:

1. Free “Break the Chain” song download
2. Link to online video tutorial
3. List of FREE practice sessions

Click HERE to download and print fliers to distribute.

Learn the Moves Video Tutorial:

Donna Summers ~ Adapted Nia Routine

I’m LOVING this new routine. Moves from Passion work well - song for song.

Feedback from class:

1. extremely high energy, challenging cardiovascular
2. most love the music and find this brings more out of them
3. a few don’t like the music (mostly younger generation). They work through it to sustain enjoyment

Focus: “enough” concept
Intent: take fitness to your next level

No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)	4:48
I Feel Love (12” Version)	8:15
This Time I Know It’s for Real	3:36
Could It Be Magic (Single Version)	3:54
She Works Hard for the Money (Single Version)	4:10
Hot Stuff (12” Version)	6:41
This Time I Know It’s for Real (12” Extended Remix)	7:22
Dream-a-Lot’s Theme (I Will Live for Love) [12” Extended Remix]	9:14
Last Dance (Single Version)	3:19
On the Radio	4:05
State of Independence (Single Version)	4:25

Songs from: The Journey: The Very Best Of Donna Summer

"RISE" Nia Class ~ Feb 14, 6:15pm NiaMoves

Valentine’s Day, also known as V-Day, is a day of activism and action in the name of the One Billion Rising. One billion women on the planet will be raped or beaten in their lifetime. Rise and dance to support efforts to end violence against women by participating in this dancing revolution.

NiaMoves is holding a fundraising Nia class in collaboration with this effort to realize our collective strength and solidarity across borders to end violence against women and girls.

For more information about this unprecedented, international event, visit www.onebillionrising.org

and view this powerful video: http://youtu.be/gl2AO-7Vlzk.

Nia “Rise” class is a 100% donation class for The Mission at Serenity Ranch

Mission at Serenity Ranch provides a safe, long term, holistic home environment that promotes physical, emotional and spiritual well being to survivors of human sex trafficking.

Playlist: Love Music for "Rise"

Happy V Day ~ enjoy TWO super love playlists:

We’ve tweaked our class and have a new play list! Here it is.

“No More I Love You’s”	Annie Lennox	Medusa
“Love Can Move Mountains”	Celine Dion	Diva
“Break The Chain”	Tena Clark	OBR
“I Need Your Love”		Passion
“I will Always Love You”	Whitney Houston	Best of
“Love Will Find A Way”	Rick Braun	Body and Soul
“Dream-a-Lot’s (I live for love)	Donna Summer	Journey Very Best
“Lovers Rock”	Sade	Lovers Rock
“Free”	Illumine	Shannon Day
“Break The Chain”	Tena Clark	OBR

Thanks to Kevin V, This was the original playlist for V day.
to be enjoyed at another time :-)

“If I Loved You”	Anthony Warlow	Midnight Dreaming
“No More I Love You’s”	Annie Lennox	Medusa
“Americano”	Lady GaGa	Born this Way
“When Love Takes Over”	David Guetta	One Love
“Love Shack”	The B-52’s	Cosmic Thing
“Love Is Gonna Save Us”	Benny Benassi & B	Hypnotica
“Learn 2 Luv”	(J Vasquez Remix)	Kim English
“Love Is Crime” T P Club Mix	Anastacia	Pieces Of A Dream
“Temple of Love”	Brent Lewis	DrumSex
“Maddest Kind of Love”	Big Bad	Voodoo Daddy
“When I Need You”	Celine Dion	Let’s Talk About Love
“I Will Always Love You”	Dolly Parton	16 Biggest Hits

Congratulations Nia White Belts

Wow! an amazing training to kick off 2013. Congratulations to Annette, Alexa, Brenda, Susan and Lucy. Thank you Katrine, Mary Clare and Bing for re-visiting Soma Ranch.

Our vision for Soma Ranch is coming true. Folks experiencing an enrich learning environment and having such a great time they keep coming back for more and more. Welcome Home!

Success Versus Significance

I’m enjoying pondering Success and Significance today…

A quote from Biju joy inspired me:

Success is measured when we reach a milestone or achieve a Goal,
Significance is measured when we touch a heart or change a Life.

Success may be defined as aiming for the stars and hitting the moon,
Significance may aim low but achieves high because it cared for the lowliest ones on earth.

Success may be highly recognized and applauded on earth,
The only reward of Significance is changed lives that continue even after the individual has passed away.

Success attracts money and recognition ,
Sometimes Significance may attract trouble and persecution.

I am all for Success if it leans on a wall called Significance.

If Success is a Tree then Significance must be the roots.

If Success creates Wealth then
Invest it to make Significance in others .

Good things that continue to happen even after we are gone away into eternity is the measure of Life of Significance.

Minute with Maxwell shares:
Significance is born within us. We are created with potential for purpose and greatness. We often search in life until we find something we can be significant in. Folks can do nothing due to the belief they can’t do anything big. Don’t worry about doing something big, ask yourself how can I help people today? What can I do and say that will help add value. Do something, say something, be something that makes a difference in someone’s life.

Bill Butler shares 12 ways to help us live a SIGNIFICANT LIFE:

1. Break away from the mundane and into the meaningful.
2. Build bridges… Placing LOVE first.
3. Challenge Complacency. NO EXCUSES = NO REGRETS.
4. Defeat discouragement by harnessing happiness.
5. Give generously of your time to others.
6. Intentionally improve. Work a little each day on being better.
7. Mind your mind ~ what thoughts occupy your head space.
8. The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is the extra you put into life.
9. Plan purposefully. Keep your goals and objectives fresh in your mind throughout the day.
10. Reflect regularly. Remind yourself of what is important.
11. Take time. balance work and play.
12. Transform thinking by practicing positivity.

Nia ChakraDance Experience

A magical multi media healing energy ride.

Thursday, 7:30 - 9:00pm, $15

7 tracks, tuned to the vibration of each chakra, with synchronized color projected through out the studio. Moves designed for each energy center.

Helen has been developing this is a Nia Experience for a while. Thursday’s class is the debut for Soma Ranch. With the super big screen, the power point presentation will illuminate the studio with the color of each chakra. The slide show is programed to magically change from one color to the next to align with the songs and chakras. OOoohh! ~ can you sense my excitement?

Nia Graduates Invited to Revisit Complimentary

EveryBody who has experienced the Nia White Belt is ENCOURAGED to return to the training COMPLIMENTARY up to 4 sessions.

All you need to pay for is classes, meals and accommodation.

If you would like to experience more than four sessions, contact Helen. It can easily be arranged.

This is a fabulous feature of the Nia Continuing Education program.

Click HERE to Download the full schedule.

Welcome 1st Class of 2013

Joe and I are prepared and delighted to be welcoming our first “class of 2013” to Soma Ranch.

This group is a lovely balance between folks arriving for the first time (We LOVE seeing their faces on the initial tour) and folks who are coming back home.

Joni is offering massages, Michelle, Foot Detox and Reflexology.

I’m especially excited to share the ChakraDancer Nia Routine synchronized color power point on Tuesday.

Participants	From
Alexa Herzog	Germany
Annette Clayton	The Woodlands, TX
Brenda Owens	Temecula, CA
Lucy Hewitt	Minneapolis, MN
Susan Duerksen	San Diego, CA
Returning Visitors	From
Bing Reynolds	Boulder, CO
Jan Coralli	Las Vegas, NV
Katrine Nielsen	Canada
Mary Clare Coleman Brown	Scottsdale, AZ
Sue Korthauer	Montgomery, TX
Charlotte Kerr Jorgensen	San Antonio, TX

Nia Classic Rock Playlist + Notes

Great class. Participants shared they liked all the songs! High favorites were “Pride and Joy” + “Dude”. I felt “Whole Lotta Love” was the weakest point (curious that it was track 2 which I often regard as the strongest song in vertical architecture of a routine. I may put the track somewhere else or loose it completely! It’s a tricky song, probably well advised to do my bars on this one!

Funny, I don’t think of Pride and Joy as being classic rock (even my itunes says “Blues”) however when I saw the suggestion it was an immediate hit. I’ve taught this song over a decade ago and it was lovely to revisit. I liked how this song balanced with the Queen songs.

Class started late, I choose to pull “Go your Own Way” and “More Than A Feeling”, feel good to close with “Dream On” however I think there is an all time better way to conclude this experience. Maybe “Angie” by Rolling Stones…

Thank you FaceBook Friends - I now have 80+ recommendations. Awesome to see a constant flow of suggestions coming in. I will down load, create playlist then teach on shuffle a few times to filter out what works, what doesn’t, what’s best.

Fun :-)

Track	Time	Artist	Album
Stairway To Heaven	8:03	Led Zeppelin	IV
Whole Lotta Love	5:33	Led Zeppelin	II
Smoke On the Water	5:39	Deep Purple	Best of
Heartbreaker	3:28	Pat Benatar	Greatest Hits
Dude Looks Like a Lady	4:22	Aerosmith	The Essential
Pride And Joy	3:40	Stevie Ray Vaughan	Greatest Hits
Back In Black	4:16	AC/DC	Back In Black
Crazy Little Thing	2:44	Queen	Greatest Hits
We Will Rock You	2:03	Queen	Greatest Hits
Free Fallin’	4:16	Tom Petty	Full Moon Fever
Go Your Own Way	3:40	Fleetwood Mac	Rumours
More Than A Feeling	4:45	Boston	Pure 70’s
Dream On	3:27	Aerosmith	Era 76-99