A Tower-Garden of Joy

We love our Tower Garden at Soma Ranch. The process, the rapid growth and the amazing “Food growing as Art” experience brings us so much joy.

This Winter we have had cherry tomatoes and kale. Over Christmas the growing structure was like a pretty living Christmas tree.

Montgomery Texas is a warm and sunny place to live and we don’t often have a freeze. Unfortunately last Sunday we dipped into low temperatures over night and the tomatoes froze. The “veggies as art” structure continues, now the lower part, with wilting tomato plants looks like a draping skirt of green! Good news is the kale seems to LOVE the cold!

The Tower Garden is on wheels… and next door to our massage house. Note to self…. next time, when forecast predicts freezing temperatures, simply role the Tower Garden into the Massage House over night!

Public Nia Class Journey

Good news! yes! like sunshine on a cloudy day, we love being able to share something great that is now available. Public Nia Classes at Soma Ranch are now available ONLINE. Virtually travel to Soma Ranch and experience as many public classes and special events as you’d like. During Nia Trainings, the classes follow the developmental structure of the training schedule, providing you with a taster journey of the course. This week we are hosting a Nia White Belt training, the foundational course. Come dance and sample educational concepts about the body. Whether in person, LIVE via zoom or through the 24 Hour replays, Y’all come visit (as we say in Texas ;-)

Special Events:

Chakra Moving Meditation

• Saturday, January 8, 2022

• 7:30 PM - 8:45 PM

Nia Play with Levity

• Sunday, January 9, 2022

• 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Praise Worship Workout

• Sunday, January 9, 2022

• 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM

Classes:

Joy of Movement

• Thursday, January 6, 2022

• 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Systemic Movement

• Friday, January 7, 2022

• 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Base of the Body Nia 5 Stages

• Saturday, January 8, 2022

• 8:45 AM - 9:45 AM

Base of the Body

• Saturday, January 8, 2022

• 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Core of the Body

• Sunday, January 9, 2022

• 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Expressive X Ray Anatomy

• Monday, January 10, 2022

• 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Celebrating Living a Sensory Life

• Tuesday, January 11, 2022

• 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

During this upcoming Nia White Belt training, the foundational Nia course, we explore how to love your body and love your life, how to learn more about yourself as you learn more about your body. We hope you can join us, whether this is in person or online via Zoom.

Usual class rates apply in all 10am Public Classes.

All public classes are on an honor system. When you sign up for a single class, 5 or 10 class pass or the year unlimited, you receive the zoom links for public classes. The Zoom links stay the same. When you have a class pass you self track your classes. We trust you and appreciate you being in class.

All Special events are $15 in advance, $20 on the day.

1st Monday Cuppa

Yes! 1st Monday” connections are WONDERFUL…

Every month, on the first Monday, we meet up after 10am Nia class to connect, enjoy a cuppa and have a grand time.

Coffee, tea, kombucha, snacks and time to hang, get to know each other better, help and support.

This is one of our community events where 100% donations collected go towards St Jude, our “Soma Selected” charity of choice.

We have a great time listening to each other’s thoughts, challenges and successes. We provide support and offer prayers.

Consider enjoying a “triple play” with

• 8:45am YogaFaith

• 10:00am Nia

• 11:00am 1st Monday Cuppa

Beannacht: A Blessing for the New Year

We wish you a Happy New Year with Beannacht: A Blessing for the New Year

--by John O'Donohue

For Josie

On the day when
The weight deadens
On your shoulders
And you stumble,
May the clay dance
To balance you.

And when your eyes
Freeze behind
The grey window
And the ghost of loss
Gets in to you,
May a flock of colours,
Indigo, red, green,
And azure blue,
Come to awaken in you
A meadow of delight.

When the canvas frays
In the currach of thought
And a stain of ocean
Blackens beneath you,
May there come across the waters
A path of yellow moonlight
To bring you safely home.

May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
May the clarity of light be yours,
May the fluency of the ocean be yours,
May the protection of the ancestors be yours.

And so may a slow
Wind work these words
Of love around you,
An invisible cloak
To mind your life.

[Note: "Beannacht" is the Gaelic word for "blessing." A "currach" is a large boat used on the west coast of Ireland.]

Which Van Gough to go

Joe and I recently visited the Van Gough exhibit in Houston. Did you know there are 2? and it’s very difficult to distinguish which is which, let alone which one is “best”. Good news is we really enjoyed our experience and are inspired to create special events at Soma with our “big screen” projector and laser lights..

The trip inspired us to do some research. There are presently 4 different Van Gough exhibits/experiences in the USA. “Instagrammability” is one of the categories on this 9 point comparison article by the Houston Chronicle.

“Houston has two competing immersive ‘Van Gogh’ exhibits but only one is worth the ticket price. How different could they be? The answer is surprisingly complex.”

— Houston Chronicle

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/article/Here-are-the-differences-between-Immersive-Van-16535852.php#photo-21578015

Soma News January 2022

Happy New Year from Soma Ranch! We’re stepping in with a Brand New Day Nia experience, then onto Nia Trainings, retreats and more. Wishing you all the best for 2022.

Please let us know how we may help more,

with love from

Helen & Joe, Phelps and all the horses and donkeys!

Brand New Year Class

Enjoy dancing Nia, lead by Helen Terry, to the entire Sting Album “Brand New Day”. “BND” has become an annual tradition for 2 decades! We’d love you to come join us. Celebrate 2021 and prepare to move into 2022.

This class is very suitable for beginners and people of all different fitness backgrounds.

FOCUS FOR CLASS:

Seamless Continuity ~ sense connection from move to move and song to song.

INTENT:

Your body will feel incredible; a mix of having had a great workout combined with the sense of relaxation gained from a healing massage.

USUAL CLASS PASS RATES APPLY

Soma Class Rates

from $20.00

The Pause Playlist

At Monday's 10am Class, we're dancing with Favorites from Nia classes we've danced in 2021.

Our focus is to a pause, with the intent to reflect. The soundscape of this playlist is a little different to usual, while the songs are very familiar to those who have been on our 30 day challenges this year. The “Beloved” “Floating” and “Astonish” songs are weaved into the order of the songs with the intent to provide a “pause” within the class experience. During these songs we’ll self-reflect, move gently and be encouraged to sense the “pause”, like noticing the spaces in between. In the body joints are the spaces between the bones, without these spaces we would not be able to move, and “through movement we find health” (Nia)

““Live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.””

— Ephesians 4:1-3

The 1st Song (stretch pants) is simply a fun song to play as folks come in the room (the 1st class after Christmas!) then Jesus to a Child through to Astonish is the 60 minute playlist.

George Michael (God Rest his Soul) has 2 songs since he was certainly a big hit this year! Stevie Wonder was a “must”, the Freedom song almost became an anthem for the Nia 30 day challengers LOL..

The last 3 songs (Tremble, Angels, Wherever You're Going) are some of my personal favorites that didn't make the mix.

““I Unify in order to reflect, Attracting Order, I seal the Matrix of Endlessness With the Magnetic tone of Purpose” ”

— Daily Oracle

Tremble will certainly be featured in our Nia with Faith class coming up (where all songs are Christian music).

Link to join us via zoom is the same as usual. You can find this in Features at the top of www.facebook.com/groups/helenterry or simply email helen@somaranch.com and ask for the details.

Amazing Feedback + Support

As we wrap up this year, I recently asked the 30 day Nia Challengers for feedback/reviews with regards our program. Wow! I’m amazed and deeply touched by the response. Thank you everybody who’s been on this year long “trip”. Little did I/we know in January what a journey we’d be on, what healing would occur, what wonderful friendships would be fostered and what creativity would raise the roof of perceived limitation! off the charts. I’m thrilled y’all want to keep going and am excited to see how our “Buy One Gift One” incentive goes and delighted by the small group of “365 day Challengers” that’s forming.

“That is a very generous deal. I would love to continue this journey. Even if I cannot do every day, I know it is there and everyone is there, rooting all of us on in our journey of health and healing. I thoroughly enjoyed this past year. It not only provided an opportunity for movement but was a touchstone when the rest of the world feels uncertain.”

— Tippie Koenig

“What a fabulous ride this 30 day challenge has been ! Knowing a Nia class is available every Single day! If “life happens” and cannot participate live, I always had the playback available to dance when i was free. I also so enjoyed making very dear new friends through this year ! Thanks Helen, I’ve learned so much with these classes and enjoyed dancing every day! What a bargain this 30 day challenge has turned out to be!!!!”

— Kathy McElroy

“Receiving daily wisdom & inspiration from Helen has given me much more confidence & creativity in teaching my Nia classes. Access to recordings means I can practise daily when I have to miss live class. Days when my energy has been low after having covid, I gain much healing from watching class or in floorplay. Connection to friends old & new has been very uplifting to me especially on days when I felt low with covid. Camera set up & sound quality is fantastic giving me the feeling of dancing at Soma Ranch! I’ve danced 11/12 months this year & will be back in January. Thank you Helen for all you give to us 🙏 & to your amazing back up Teachers & to Irene for the wonderful Feldenkrais lessons 💞 💖 💞”

— Jane Francis

“Helen’s 30 Day Challenge has been such a blessing through this challenging year. My mom died during the first month I signed up and while I lost my focus and have stepped in and out rather sporadically throughout the year, the Challenge has been a place to ground, a place of healing , an inclusive community where there is no judgement and I have felt only ongoing support that always brings me profound joy and renewal.”

— Lindi Hobongwana

“I enjoy dancing live with Helen and her girls. It has brought me much joy in my body my heart and soul. Give it a try I think you will love it!”

— Cece Miller

“Looking to deepen your Nia practice as a student or teacher? Interested in trying Nia for the first time? This is a perfect opportunity for YOU at your whatever level!
I have been a Nia student for nearly 20 years. It is a cherished staple of my life for healing, community, conditioning and so much more. As a daily practice, 30 minutes fits perfectly into my lifestyle. The format and opportunity to dance with Helen Terry drew me to the 30 Day Nia Challenge in January 2021. In addition to Helen’s masterful and creative teaching of the Nia foundations and techniques and her constant invitation for feedback, the surprise bonuses have included the wonderful community of students from all parts of the globe fostered by the before and after Zoom chats and Facebook group, the flexibility to attend live or do the recorded classes, the opportunity to dance with truly excellent guest teachers and to delve deeper into Feldenkrais. ***And, I have been thrilled to develop a Nia 5 Stages practice with the Saturday classes offered in the package!*** Thank you Helen! Thank you to my new friends! Looking forward to the 365 Challenge in 2022!❤️💃”

— Sarah Geisler

“30-30-30 this year has been a lifesaver, both spiritually and physically. The connection we have built via Zoom with this amazing positive group of international women has been unexpected and wonderful. My chiropractor noticed the difference in my hips and other achey parts of my body. She asked me what I’d been doing as she could feel an improvement and I told her 30mins NIA everyday. If I get busy or tired and miss a few days my body feels so sluggish. NiA makes me feel so good physically and always makes me feel better mentally by the end of 30mins. You can easily waste 30mins scrolling through social media but the time is much better spent doing NIA. It’s amazing what a difference just 30mins a day makes! I also love the knowledge about our body that Helen throws in to the class. I love knowing how many bones or how many muscles my body has & how they all work together. Whether I dance live or do the replay, I always feel so much better afterwards. It’s a good daily habit to have 🙂”

— Vanessa Sinclair

“It’s been comforting knowing I was part of this magical group - even though I’ve been absent in person.”

— Vicki Oleskey

“Helen has been such an inspiration in this 30 -30-30 day challenge. I have loved every minute of it. I joined back last January and didn’t know what to expect. This has exceeded my hopes and dreams in many areas.
During the past year the online courses have proved to be highly interactive, educational and differentiated. We are encouraged to move at our own levels while Helen presents skillfully choreographed dance routines peppered with an element of improvisation!
Her knowledge of Nia and the body are second -to - none. We give feedback on musical choices and moves. Helen has taught us so much about the Nia stages and the concept of dynamic ease. She encourages us to set monthly Goals. She reminds us to smile and let go of tension as we dance and Learn. The sense of community is phenomenal.
Thank you for a wonderful 365 days throughout the pandemic. We have all faced challenges both personally and collectively and have learned to rise above them them through our Nia 30 day course . 💜😇”

— Shelley Rheams

“The last 12 months of the 30-30-30 Challenge were easily the best thing I’ve done for myself in 2021. Through the whirlwind of the last year, the consistency of Nia with an amazing group of people has been just what I needed to energize my body and soothe my soul. Though I don’t consider myself a “morning person”, I happily wake up meet my friends first thing in the morning, dodging dogs and cats as I go. I’ve take Helen’s lessons into my Nia practice and my everyday life, and I’ve been inspired to follow through with actually starting my own classes in my community. I am so grateful to soak up a bit of Helen’s wisdom, grace, and sense of fun most days, and I can’t wait to continue on in 2022. ❤️❤️”

— Kim Hawkins

“Since I finished Green Belt Training with Helen started this 30 day Challenge. I joined and all year was in the group.
What I love? The permanent teaching with little pieces my knowledge improving day by day and I have never better choice to stay as long as possible. I am not worried as a Teacher how can I move forward and love the freshness, the adaptation, the vulnerability which turn to our strength. Thank you so much you Helen and even I am mostly dancing from Replay nothing broken my open heart towards everybody in this group.”

— Julianna Számadó

“Great reviews! I couldn’t agree more with all of them! I love everything about the challenge! the only “problem” is that I can not stop coming again and again every month.. 😍”

— Dorit Silberstein

Fun Friday Playlist

Our Fun. Friday class has evolved into a wonderful collaborative, collective and creative experience. Class participants bring suggested songs, I put them into a playlist, We then click shuffle and “madam random” takes care of the rest with regards which songs are picked and in which order.

The Class brings the music, I bring the moves and together we co-create magic!

I’m FLOORED by how amazing these playlists turn out. Often the songs are not what I’d choose, the order is certainly not what I’d select, yet some how the flow from one song to the next seems to be perfect in the moment!

This week brought fabulous balance between sacred and secular, vocal and instrumental, serious and silly, with Christian, Blues, Pop, Country, Classical, Holiday, Worldwide, R&B and Soul!

The transitions from one song to the next are magical (like we planned it!). On Apple music I had my crossfade all the way up to 12 seconds and sometimes I was unable to tell what was the end of one song and what was the beginning of the next. Sheer Joy! Merry Christmas from we 30 day Nia Challengers, we hope you enjoy this playlist.

365 Day Challenge

Nia Challenges begin January 1

Come feel the love connection! Our Nia 30 day Challenge ONLINE program has been growing since January 2021. We would LOVE you to join the challenge for the New Year. We’re here to help you achieve your goals successfully.

The 30 day challenge, invites you to enjoy daily Nia classes for 30 days. Both 30 minute and 60 minute class options help cater to your personal needs. Receive 7 LIVE classes each week, class times are balanced between 8am and 10am Central US Time. With the 24HR RECORDING Replays you don’t have to worry about missing a class due to your schedule. Simply click the recording link any time, night or day, and catch up in your natural time. Each recording is conveniently sent automatically via email. You also have the option to join our private Facebook group support. All for only $99.

Share the love with “BOGO” Buy One Gift One. Register by Jan 30th, to receive a gift to give! that is, sign up for the January 30 day Nia challenge and GIFT a 30 day challenge to anyone new to our 30 day challenge program.

Tippie Koenig

That is a very generous deal. I would love to continue this journey. Even if I cannot do every day, I know it is there and everyone is there, rooting all of us on in our journey of health and healing. I thoroughly enjoyed this past year. It not only provided an opportunity for movement but was a touchstone when the rest of the world feels uncertain.

Buy One, Give One! Sign up for the January 30 Day Nia Challenge and receive a Gift of the challenge to Give!

Be part of a supportive, loving and inspiring group of folks from around the globe, who come together to dance, have fun and connect.

• 1 Year later, we’re still going strong and growing.

• Some folks have been with us every month in 2021 (including Helen’s Mum!).

• Every month more participants join us.

• Last month more new people joined us than ever before.

Here’s the weekly schedule: (Remember 24HR replay is offered for ALL classes)

• Monday 10:00am Nia Classic 60 Minutes

• Tuesday. 8:00am Nia 30 Minute

• Wednesday 8:00am Nia 30 Minute

• Thursday. 10:00am Nia Classic 60 Minutes

• Friday 8:00am Nia 30 Minute

• Saturday 8:45am Nia 5 Stages 60 minute class

• Saturday 10:00am Nia Classic 60 Minutes

• Sunday. Rest or enjoy the replay

For this coming year, 2022, there is also a special option of a 365 day Challenge for $999 (when you sign up before December 31, 2021.

Celebrate Christmas, Welcome All

How to be “welcoming to all” in Nia classes now and forever more is an important topic., which also reminds me of growing up in England with the initiative “Sports for all”!

I agree how wonderful to be sensitive, inclusive and understanding. And now is also an important time to not dissolve everything into being the same. We are all unique and I love how Nia creates a space for all.

For example, to creatively find ways to honor participants who do believe, who would like to celebrate the birth and magic of Christ at Christmas time.

To sustain the joys and wonder of the deep meaning of this season for some, and be inclusive to all, this week our public Nia classes were "generic yet grounded with spiritual choice";

Nia routine "Source" | Focus: "Ground | Intent: "connect with the Highest of Highs" ~ so many delicious ways to interpret this 😉....

Then today we’re putting on a special event all about worship, celebration and Christmas.

• Everybody is welcome.

• We open our doors, arms and heart to all religious backgrounds and beliefs.

• Attendees know in advance what to expect.

• As the teacher I fully participate, with what is personal and deeply meaningful for me, without the fear of offending someone in class or being inappropriate in my professional role as a Nia teacher trainer.

• We will freely sing praise and dance with Jesus for an hour 🙂

• 50% of all funds collected go towards our Soma Charity: St Jude.

Here’s the playlist (and more) so far, it is 70% complete….

Do you have an all time favorite Christmas song to add to the mix?

I LOVE the way the first few songs weave from one to the next.

Shine Your Light Retreat

Fun Friday, Ground Saturday, Christmas Sunday

We enjoy "Improv" Nia classes on Friday where participants bring the music, Helen brings the moves "on the fly" and wow! magic is co-created.

Tomorrow (Saturday) our 10am Nia Class we are dancing to the music of the Nia Routine SOURCE, our focus is GROUND, with the intent to connect with the Highest of Highs.

Sunday's Special Christmas 4pm class, rounds off the weekend with both IN PERSON and ON ZOOM options!

Receive a Gift, Bring a Friend

In the joy of our growing community, buy your January 30 day Nia challenge, by December 30, to receive a special gift; The opportunity to bring someone new to any 30 day Nia challenge in 2022 You can give this $99 value gift to anyone who is new to the “Nia Challenge with Helen program”.

How does it work?

1. sign up for the January Nia challenge with Helen by Jan 30th

2. receive an email that asks who you’d like to gift

3. reply to email with name and email address of “gift recipient”

4. your “gift recipient” will receive the following email

   Dear “gift recipient name”,

   Welcome! You have received the gift of 30 day Nia class challenge with Helen Terry, as a gift from “Your Name”.

   Reply “Yes” to this email to receive class times, zoom links and information about the upcoming program.

   Kindly,

   Helen Terry, Soma Ranch

FYI this is gift is valid for Any 30 day Nia challenge with Helen in 2022

If you sign up for the 365 day challenge each month you receive the gift to give someone new for Any 30 day Nia challenge with Helen in 2022

Nia Christmas Class

We’re super excited about our special upcoming Christmas Class and would love you to join us. We’ll be enjoying refreshments afterwards at our new Soma Pavilion.

Happy Mid December

Happy Mid December!

I’m back from a very special 4 days in the UK with my parents after not seeing them for 2 years. This week was the completion of 2 x 16 week long Nia courses. Congratulations ONLINE Nia Brown and Blue Belt Graduates!

Our last 30 day challenge for this year, wow! what a ride. Would you like to join us next year? commit to self-care in the New Year with daily Nia, support and connection?

Tomorrow, Saturday, Helen is teaching LIVE via zoom Nia 5 Stages at 8:45am and Nia Classic at 10:00am. Request LINK for classes.

Check out our new covered deck with a clip from our special 1st LIVE sunset concert

Check out these links for all the wonderful upcoming trainings and retreats. Now is a great time to invest in yourself and make 2022 remarkable.

Wishing you all the best with love

Helen + Joe

30 Day Nia Challenge January 1 - 30

Our 30 minute Nia 30 minute Nia classes ONLINEONLINE program has been growing since January 2021. We would LOVE you to join the challenge for the New Year and feel the love connection!

The 30 30 30 challenge, invites you to enjoy 30 daily, 30 minute, Nia classes, for the 30 days. That’s 7 live classes with Helen a week, for a month, with 24HR Replays sent automatically, and the option of Facebook group support, all for only $99.

Be part of a supportive, loving and inspiring group of folks from around the globe, who come together to dance, have fun and connect.

• 1 Year later, we’re still going strong and growing.

• Some folks have been with us every month in 2021 (including Helen’s Mum!).

• Every month more participants join us.

• Last month more new people joined us than ever before.

Here’s the weekly schedule: (Remember 24HR replay is offered for ALL classes)

• Monday 10:00am Nia Classic 60 Minutes

• Tuesday. 8:00am Nia 30 Minute

• Wednesday 8:00am Nia 30 Minute

• Thursday. 10:00am Nia Classic 60 Minutes

• Friday 8:00am Nia 30 Minute

• Saturday 8:45am Nia 5 Stages 60 minute class

• Saturday 10:00am Nia Classic 60 Minutes

• Sunday. Rest or enjoy the replay

For this coming year, 2022, there is also a special option of a 365 day Challenge for $999 (when you sign up before December 31, 2021.

1st Live Soma Concert

The only thing lacking last Sunday was finding time to put out the ribbon and find some big scissors!

When we (Helen and Joe) started talking about the concept of building a cover for our deck, we listed

1. protect the deck (Joe had to replace the wood 3 times in the past 12 years!)

2. stop the pillows in, pillows out (every time it rains!)

3. offer outdoor classes (another pandemic? no problem we’ve got the deck covered!)

4. enjoy the deck all year round (make the most of our beautiful outdoor space)

Funny to notice how often (when we build a project and put a dream into form) a concept/idea way beyond our imagination/expectation comes about. Our back deck patio cover is no exception. We’ve created pavilion that transformed into an awesome outdoor music venue. The acoustics are amazing! the view spectacular! the ambience is most magical!

The weather and temperature was perfect!. A beautiful mix of 20 folks attended the magical Sunset concert, including some new to Soma Ranch folks. Thank you Nia and YogaFaith ladies who came with their husbands. Neighbors and Soma Friend we hadn’t seen in a long time, so great to reconnect.

Several folks watched via FaceBook LIVE. Including Helen’s parents who wrote a lovely review, all the way from England. (where the time was past midnight!)

That was a lovely surprise- better than a bedtime story- kept us up late- lovely music from such a talented couple with great voices and great harmony. Very original and beautiful sound. The pavilion was a perfect setting especially as the sun went down. Good acoustics. Effective, magical lighting. Best wishes to all of you there from England. Good night now. Sleep time for us two oldies. Xxx

Trevor Tunison and Nyna Nelson, the Fort Vine’s dynamic duo, transported us straight to our happy place. They weaved fascinating stories between wonderful songs with feel-good lyrics, colorful harmonies and catchy rhythms. The harmonies were AMAZING and they are very professional whistlers too! Trevor and Nyna live on the road full-time with their dog and cat in their custom-converted sprinter van named Gypsee Bungalow. Their music is inspired by their VanLife travels.

Good news is! Fort Vine had a great time and are planning to return in the Spring. Be sure you are subscribed to our newsletter and have liked our facebook page to receive the latest and greatest updates!